GrumpyOldBastige 1 #1 Posted November 10, 2014 My 312-8 has not run in a month and a half. Lawn looks like crap, but with first frost possible this week, I don't really care. It won't turn over at all. Any time I turn the key to Start, the inline fuse from the start wire to the solenoid pops. We got it to run briefly last week, but once the PTO was engaged (bypassed seat switch, that was original culprit), it cut out. Restarted, hit the PTO again, dead. Attempted a third restart, right back to popping that fuse. Pushed it back in the garage, realized I ran over dog crap (how fitting), pushed it out and hosed the tire off, pushed it back into the garage AGAIN, and haven't looked at this piece of crap since. It has successfully completed a full yard job ONCE all summer. Meantime my dad's "box store" 20 year old Craftsman only failed to start once in the 8 years he has had it, and only due to a battery dead of old age. I'm about to give up. My father in law wants to keep trying things, he thinks the issue is in the starter...I can make a case for PTO switches, but I'm into it for $600, and I'm not willing to put more into it at this point. Any ideas? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,052 #2 Posted November 10, 2014 If the fuse blows that quickly I would bet you have a wire that chaffed and is shorting out to the chassis. Its hard to tell you which one at this point, but starter/solenoid power wire is a good start. P.S. Its not encouraging people to help you when you start out by demeaning the brand of tractors a whole forum is dedicated to that YOU came to for help. I understand your frustrations with it, but we have 40+ year old tractors on here in perfect running condition... It has less to do with the brand and more to do with the care it has received. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpyOldBastige 1 #3 Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) If the fuse blows that quickly I would bet you have a wire that chaffed and is shorting out to the chassis. Its hard to tell you which one at this point, but starter/solenoid power wire is a good start. P.S. Its not encouraging people to help you when you start out by demeaning the brand of tractors a whole forum is dedicated to that YOU came to for help. I understand your frustrations with it, but we have 40+ year old tractors on here in perfect running condition... It has less to do with the brand and more to do with the care it has received. I can see how you would have read my post. please understand that- a. the fine people here have bailed me out in the past and b.I am only voicing frustration with my tractor. Watched my father in law on his 310-8 get his lawn done 2 weeks ago... working lights and all... and writhed in jealousy. and... c. maybe I should have been in a calmer state of mind when I typed this. My 312 is a horribly neglected machine. Mechanically, cosmetically, you name it it's probably wrong. I wish we had Carfax for tractors because I'd like to know how its past owners messed it up so badly. Discouraging to put a ton of money into something that doesn't run every single time out, flawlessly. I could start it with the screwdriver method, but that's both incorrect and possibly damaging to other subsystems. I've seen the old beasts in action. Remarkable that they can still be put through their paces, like new. That's a testament in and of itself. I suppose the only thing left to do is rewire the tractor, cutting down only to essential circuits (run and start). What say you, redsquare... full rewire, or keep tracing wires? Edited November 10, 2014 by GrumpyOldBastige 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,052 #4 Posted November 10, 2014 (edited) I suppose the only thing left to do is rewire the tractor, cutting down only to essential circuits (run and start). What say you, redsquare... full rewire, or keep tracing wires? If it were pre 1984 I would say rewire, there's just not that many wires... I dont know how many there are on the 310, but that would be a deciding factor. (Also how comfortable you are doing the wiring) There's one other option, maybe place a want ad for a known good condition used harness from a 300 series that someone is parting? No guarantees, but that might save you a bit of time and effort... Edited November 10, 2014 by bmsgaffer 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
N3PUY 1,031 #5 Posted November 14, 2014 A lot of times the wire that gets rubbed through is against the steering column near the key switch , behind the battery. If that's not it ... download the wiring diagram and see what devices the fuse protects. Wiring is simple ... once you calm down. The problem you have is a less than 15 minute repair once you see the wiring diagram .... from the battery to the fuse, to the key switch, thru the safety switches and on to the solenoid. There, it's fixed! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc724 925 #6 Posted November 15, 2014 Get your self a multi meter or better yet (and less money) one of those circuit probes that has a battery and a bulb. Clip one end to the chassis and then probe the switch contacts. If the light goes on, bingo, you have found the short. My money is on the wire suggested by N3PUY. You can also check it by going from the starter solenoid to the chassis. If it is the wire that goes down past the steering shaft, after you tape up the exposed wire, reinforce the weak area with something more robust, in a pinch even a soda straw will do, but better yet, buy some wire wrap, available at most auto supply stores and encase the wiring harness in it. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #7 Posted November 15, 2014 The wire diagram will make all the difference in the world. You should be able to check every circuit on the tractor in under an hour if you understand what you are looking at. These tractors are wired so easy even a caveman can get them running Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GrumpyOldBastige 1 #8 Posted November 20, 2014 Sorry for delayed reply, life gets in the way sometimes. Will try these ideas. This weekend looks to be a warm one; hope to report back that I was able to get to it and get it running. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
