indywheelhorsenut 62 #1 Posted November 14, 2018 Here in Indianapolis and snow is on the way. Went out to warm up the C160 and it was running beautifully. Shut her down to do a little maintenance (tires and grease) then went to start it up and absolutely nothing.... Battery was very strong 10 minutes before. It is just plain dead, no crank, no sound nothing. I took all the "safety" stuff years ago so its not a sensor. Wiring is pretty decent as I have gone through it over the years. I am thinking its either starter/key switch or starter. Sure hoping not wiring (that crap makes me crazy). Like I said, snow is coming. Just looking for the quickest path to a fix! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #2 Posted November 14, 2018 Break out test light and volt meter. Check ignition switch could be rusty connection 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indywheelhorsenut 62 #3 Posted November 14, 2018 4 minutes ago, craftsmanmowerfreak said: Break out test light and volt meter. Check ignition switch could be rusty connection Lol, will do! And will hit it with some contact cleaner. Although... they all look pretty good. Any other thoughts are appreciated.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #4 Posted November 14, 2018 Could be solenoid too Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #5 Posted November 14, 2018 Easiest way to go is find small power wire on solenoid and check with test light has you turn key. Check fuse too if you have one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,076 #6 Posted November 14, 2018 I have had fuses cause the same issue, after checking everything else , it was slight corrosion on fuse panel. replaced all fuses, lightly scuffed contact surfaces and used DIELECTRIC GREASE ON FUSE TABS , instant start no more issues. pete 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indywheelhorsenut 62 #7 Posted November 14, 2018 Okay, Thanks All! I am now (very soon) going to make some silly excuse here at the office and run home to test my voltage to the solenoid and then test the sylenoid! You helped me work through that, "Oh crap, I am going to get the stink eye from the Mrs" trauma I was experiencing if I could not get it running in time for the snow! After all, who needs that??!! Luckily, the C160 is old enough there is no fuse panel so I am clear on that one. But I truly appreciate this quick feedback. I am feeling empowered! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #8 Posted November 14, 2018 20 minutes ago, indywheelhorsenut said: Okay, Thanks All! I am now (very soon) going to make some silly excuse here at the office and run home to test my voltage to the solenoid and then test the sylenoid! You helped me work through that, "Oh crap, I am going to get the stink eye from the Mrs" trauma I was experiencing if I could not get it running in time for the snow! After all, who needs that??!! Luckily, the C160 is old enough there is no fuse panel so I am clear on that one. But I truly appreciate this quick feedback. I am feeling empowered! Lol tell her u need more backup wheel horses 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elkskin's mower junkyard 1,117 #9 Posted November 14, 2018 I do have a 656 wheel horse for sale with plow. Doesn't have original engine though. Has 8hp Briggs and is a powerful little guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,234 #10 Posted November 14, 2018 Check for loose battery cables on both ends...sometimes it is that easy. and you are right about the 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,976 #11 Posted November 14, 2018 Clean the ammeter connections!!! I’ve seen it more than once!’ sent from my I phone in a kitchen waiting for toggle bolts. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indywheelhorsenut 62 #12 Posted November 14, 2018 9 minutes ago, squonk said: Clean the ammeter connections!!! I’ve seen it more than once!’ sent from my I phone in a kitchen waiting for toggle bolts. Wow... that one would have gotten right past me! Thanks much Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,802 #13 Posted November 14, 2018 Check the ground wire to the engine from the battery, it is the most overlooked wire on a . Run a large jumper from the battery "+" terminal to the starter electrical connection to see if the starter will turn over. If it will then move the jumper to the starter side of the solenoid to test the cable. If it turns over use a small jumper from the battery "+" to the small wire on the solenoid to see if it will close. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,880 #14 Posted November 14, 2018 PTO disengaged? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GarySeever 82 #15 Posted November 14, 2018 Make sure all the grounds are tight and clean !!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indywheelhorsenut 62 #16 Posted November 14, 2018 29 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said: PTO disengaged? Great question... disengaged... not even hooked up right now.. ready to plow. Based on what you all shared with me I checked solenoid and key switch... found it is a wire or connection in the mast... I replaced one bad wire thinking that was it.. it worked once and then same problem.. went back and moved the wiring harness a bit and it fired up.. so I think it is possibly connection at ammeter or bad wire in mast. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,802 #17 Posted November 15, 2018 If you only tend to the connection that is presently giving you trouble the others will give a problem at the worst possible time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lane Ranger 10,497 #18 Posted November 15, 2018 TrACTOR IS ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD. Wire connections break, corrode and stiffen in cold weather especially. Do a run through all your connections, clean and look for wire coatins breaks etc. It will pay off in the logn run! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indywheelhorsenut 62 #19 Posted November 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Lane Ranger said: TrACTOR IS ABOUT 40 YEARS OLD. Wire connections break, corrode and stiffen in cold weather especially. Do a run through all your connections, clean and look for wire coatins breaks etc. It will pay off in the logn run! Agreed... and will do it this weekend! Now that I know that problem exists I am afraid to take it out in the snow until I find that weak spot as pushing one of those autos is work enough (even with the pressure released on the tranny)..let alone in the snow! lol, just got done this past spring doing the same thing on my '69 Camaro... I love that old iron... but it calls for some special attention at its age (not unlike myself). 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites