dwcphoto 7 #1 Posted August 15, 2014 (edited) Hi Folks, I was in the woods with my 518H, Onan P218 and the trailer full of firewood caught a rock and tipped. I shut off the tractor and unloaded the trailor to right it, but then the tractor would not start. It click in the dash, but does not spin or try to spin. The starter does not engage as far as I can tell. Is there some safety switch somewhere? When I put the clutch in there is no sound. The seat switch does not matter when the clutch is not engaged and the same nothing happens whether I'm sitting on it or not. Any ideas? The whole rig is still in the woods, of course. thank you, dwc ps. When the key is turned on there is a click that seems to come from the clock. Edited August 15, 2014 by dwcphoto Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
km3h 543 #2 Posted August 15, 2014 Try a jumper wire from the Battery to the solenoid. If it turns over the engine then turn the key on and start it and at least get it to the barn. Could be a lot of things and working in the woods is not the best place to attempt a major fix. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwcphoto 7 #3 Posted August 15, 2014 KM, thank you for your reply. I jumped the solenoid, from one side to the other and it got it going. Glad to have it out of the woods, as you say. It repeatedly started after that so I used it for some wood gathering closer to the house. One time, it acted up again, but then started. It seems it's the solenoid acting up and needs to be replaces. Sound about right? Thanks, dwc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
km3h 543 #4 Posted August 15, 2014 It may be the key switch, a dirty ground, the solenoid. or a lot of other things. I had that problem and found that the fuse block feeding voltage to the blue wire to the solenoid was corroded. In another instance it was the ignition switch. If you should have to replace the switch, make sure you get the correct one for that Onan engine. They all look alike but inside they are different. It could also be one of the safety switches. Until you find the problem I would make sure I had something to jump the circuit in case it happens again. Save you a walk back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwcphoto 7 #5 Posted August 15, 2014 KM, thanks. I have to say it could be an assortment. I don't think it's the switch as it click down at the solenoid. Dirty wires? Sure. It gets a lot of dust, although I've gone over the wires and cleaned them up in the past year or so. How does one clean up the fuse holders or do you just replace them? The fuses are fine, too. thanks, dwc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
km3h 543 #6 Posted August 15, 2014 I believe in that model you have a fuse block located behind the engine under the battery. It is a bad spot to get at. I decided that it was time to de-carbon the motor so I pulled it and replacing the fuse block was easy. It looked to me as though if you took the two plates on the from of the steering pedestal you could get to it from there but I am not sure. On the other hand sometimes you can use contact cleaner and by pushing the fuse in and out a number of times get it reasonably clean. There is very little room to work in there. If it becomes necessary to change that block let me know and I will show you where to get the parts. They are a bit hard to come by. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwcphoto 7 #7 Posted August 16, 2014 KM, Thanks for your help. I'll take another look at it in the morning. I appreciate you sharing your experience. best, dwc 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dwcphoto 7 #8 Posted August 16, 2014 I put in a new solenoid this morning and the old beast has been running like a charm. Thanks! david Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
