big battery drain possibly solenoid?

[ohiofarmer 3,358]

I needed to plow snow and never set up a garden tractor for the job, i bought a set of c-145 class autos that had a lot of small parts wear and maintenance and finally got one ready. . A new battery discharged and when I hooked it back up [correct polarity i guarantee]  There is enough draw to cause more than  a mild spark. I disconnected all the small wires and it still happens.

  gotta think that the solenoid switch is at least partially stuck on, but not stuck enough to turn the starter.

 

 Thats where things are headed tomorrow . Gotta keep a plow tractor mission capable and a hydraulic lift is nice..  I changed the monting location of both the coil and solenoid to keep from tearing the engine tins, so it will take longer to get at it to repair.   Those shaker mounts make the coils crack and tear the engine tins.

[953 nut 59,264]

Sounds like the key switch may not be in the off position or there may be a wire with some chafed insulation. Could be a problem with the Amp Meter or the wires going to it, check them over.

If that isn't the problem do a little process of elimination. Remove the battery wires (both ends) and the wire from the solenoid to starter (both ends). Take a pair of jumper cables and ground the "-" to the engine block and touch the "+" to the starter terminal; does the engine turn over? If it turns over replace the wire from the solenoid to the starter and move the "+" jumper to that end of your solenoid, does the engine turn over? If it turns over move the "+" jumper to the other terminal of the solenoid, there should be no sparks and the starter should not turn over. Now remove the small wire that connects the solenoid to the ignition switch (don't remove the grounded wire) and use a small jumper from the "+" jumper cable to that small terminal, the solenoid should close and the starter turn over.

[squonk 43,373]

Good chance it's the ammeter if it's there. Small short to ground, sparks like your describing. Major short to ground............meltdown.

 

[Pullstart 65,859]

You mentioned you disconnected the small wires.  If you have a meter, set it to ohms resistance and disconnect the whole solenoid.  Check your values from the + post to ground and see if there is any value.  Try it with continuity as well...maybe that’ll help you.

[Ed Kennell 41,387]

With the key switch off, ,use  your meter to look for DC voltage. to ground.  The only place you should have voltage is the + side of the solenoid. .

[953 nut 59,264]

14 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

The only place you should have voltage is the + side of the solenoid.

and both Amp Meter terminals and the "B" terminal of the ignition switch as well as the wires that connect them.

Edited February 18, 2021 by 953 nut

[Ed Kennell 41,387]

3 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

and both Amp Meter terminals and the "B" terminal of the ignition switch as well as the wires that connect them.

Thanks for the correction Richard.   I was directing his checking to the solenoid that he suspected.    My bad for not being clear.

[953 nut 59,264]

6 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

Thanks for the correction Richard.   I was directing his checking to the solenoid that he suspected.    My bad for not being clear.

     That is why I added the wires and meter. So often we read a post and just follow the "group  think" rather than looking for something simple that may have been overlooked along the way.

[bc.gold 3,406]

This switch came off of an emergency jump start pack, I'm going to install this on my Jone Deere LA 175 which has a parasitic drain  that kills the battery.

 

Night Switch.

 

Edited February 18, 2021 by bcgold

[squonk 43,373]

My vote still ammeter grounded thru the case.I love a mystery.

[Ed Kennell 41,387]