jsp_333 222 #1 Posted November 19, 2017 As the title suggests my tractor will turn on at the key it just won't turn off. So I have to pull the spark plug wire to shut it down. Small engine shop told me I had a ground issue. Followed the ground wire off the starter switch until it disappeared under the battery platform. New starter switch is $62.00. The defective one lasted about 8 months. So I'm reluctant to keep buying these things. And I can't put the snow cab on until I fix this. Anyone else ever have this issue, or know the fix. Don't really want to take a good bit of the tractor apart to follow this wire to wherever it terminates. J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jerry77 1,218 #2 Posted November 19, 2017 22 minutes ago, jsp_333 said: ground wire off the starter switch Could you just run an additional ground wire to a spot on the frame? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
refracman 166 #3 Posted November 19, 2017 First over in the manual section is the wiring diagram for your tractor download it, it will make it easier to run your tests, I am assuming yours is the 1988 with the Kohler Magnum engine and these tests will only check this engine there are 2 wires that complete the circuit to shut down the engine. on your ignition switch the post marked M will go to the motor and the post marked G is the your ground either wire can be causing the issue or the ignition switch grab your multi meter and you will need to OHM check the wires all tests are with the key on the OFF position to make testing of easier and prevent any short circuiting I would remove the battery and then remove the ignition switch from the dash and leave it plugged in the wiring harness clean all connections first and coat with dielectic grease to check the M wire you will need to remove the engine shroud to access the magneto grounding wire from the M postion on the igintion switch place one lead on the mag end and the other on M pole with the wire attached should be 0 OHMs to test the ground wire attach one to the negative lead to the battery and the other on the G pole should read 0 OHMs if both test good, to test the switch place one lead on the magneto lead and the other to the negative battery lead should be 0 OHMs one these three tests will determine which one is your issue good luck! 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,769 #4 Posted November 19, 2017 Sooner or later you will need to fix it correctly, so if time allows you should do as suggested above. If yo need to do a quick fix you could run a wire to the Magneto wire at the engine and a second wire to ground. Connect them to a switch and when you close the switch it will kill the engine. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #5 Posted November 19, 2017 Couldn't agree more. Will do the quick fix but start working on trouble shooting the entire situation as well. Thanks all. J 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,935 #6 Posted November 19, 2017 Another quick fix to get on the road quickly is just use the choke to stop the engine. Sure sounds like a ground to the switch. Jumping a wire from a good ground to the metal body of the switch while it's running with the key in the off position. It should shut down if it's just the ground to the switch. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldredrider 2,547 #7 Posted November 20, 2017 Had the same problem on the same tractor a couple of weeks back. The ground post on the ignition switch had a bad connection. A dab of solder fixed it. It's the single post on the switch, not one of the 5 posts in the connector. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hondagod64 81 #8 Posted November 20, 2017 I had the same problem on my 88 312-8 last summer and it was a ground issue from the switch, I was losing ground at the mounting panel where the switch mounted to the chassis...I cleaned all contact points and added die electric grease to all contact points ...i haven' t had a problem since Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biged77 107 #9 Posted March 18, 2018 I had the same problem today on my 414-8 (engine would not shut off, plus would not start after I killed the engine using the choke). I added a jumper wire from the switch ground to chassis which fixed both problems. I believe the switch is supposed to ground at the mounting panel like hondagod 64 said above.but a direct wire provides a more reliable ground. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites