countax K14 not starting

[stephen11]

2 months ago it would not start, replaced solenoid then battery then starter (it was the starter even though a bench test on the old one threw the cog. last week and today it will not start. turn key solenoid clicks no engine rotation. put on charge for an hour then tried boost start nothing. i have checked all cables, put a lead from N battery to starter motor casing no good. battery fully charged 12.8 v. i have checked and shorted out safety switches. put a jumper from live battery to live on starter motor(nothing). checked fuses, visually inspected PCB no smell, no burning. always sit on tractor when trying to start it. last week charging for an hour it started with a boost charge - not this week. took plug out in case petrol had flooded cylinder - no difference. full service in feb and changed both drive belts. the engine can be turned by hand. oil level ok and like new.
i am now at a complete loss, i will trickle charge it tomorrow for a few hours but the battery seems fine - when it did start last week it ran sweetly for 1.5hrs
any ideas would be appreciated
stephen

[Baldchap]

An hour isn't long to charge a battery. In my experience it takes quite a bit longer.

Have you tried a jumper pack to eliminate the battery as a suspect?

If the starter is new and known to work, then applying power direct to it should turn it.

[stephen11]

hi, thanks for reply, i have a commercial battery charger/starter and boost starting did not work this week last week it did?

[stephen11]

yes the starter is brand new and has been working fo a few months. a jump lead direct from battery does not turn the engine

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

I've you've got good voltage and are just getting a click from the starter motor then maybe the new starter motor is faulty too. Have you tried whacking the solenoid with a blunt object?

[stephen11]

the solenoid is clicking, it is new - i get around 12.8 v at the starter when i turn the key (multimeter) (the old solenoid proved not to be faulty, the replacement of the starter solved my initial problem)

[anonymous-user]

Have you put the earth back on? Very common to forget about it.

[MustangGT]

12.8V is low, you should be seeing 13.2-13.4. What is the amp/hour rating and what output is you charger? If you have a 60a/h battery and a charger with an output of 4-6a you will need to charge it all day. Using a higher output charger could easily damage the battery.

[Krikkit]

MustangGT said:

12.8V is low, you should be seeing 13.2-13.4. What is the amp/hour rating and what output is you charger? If you have a 60a/h battery and a charger with an output of 4-6a you will need to charge it all day. Using a higher output charger could easily damage the battery.

Wouldn't see the full voltage at the +ve on the starter under high load though, I'd say 12.8V is good as you'd usually expect 0.6-0.8V drop.

If the +ve and -ve feeds at the starter are good then it must be faulty.

[kev b]

Will the starter turn the engine if the spark plug is removed?

[E-bmw]

Battery is good at 12.8 with the engine not running.

Unless it is just surface charge, turn the headlights & anything else on for a few mins & check again, it shouldn't drop if the battery is definitely good.

Starter sounds like you have ruled it out, maybe double check with a bench test.

Aside of that the most likely candidate would be a loose/badly connected/badly rusted battery/engine/starter connection, could be either live or earth (chassis) so go through them all removing, cleaning chacking & tightening as you go.

[Penelope Stopit]

stephen11 said:

the solenoid is clicking, it is new - i get around 12.8 v at the starter when i turn the key (multimeter) (the old solenoid proved not to be faulty, the replacement of the starter solved my initial problem)

12.8 volts measured at the starter +ive and starter -ive when the solenoid has clicked in points to a faulty starter motor

The only other problem could be a pinion into flywheel ring gear engagement problem which is extremely doubtful as it did fail in the past and then worked again

Edited by Penelope Stopit on Saturday 24th July 14:15

[stephen11]

thanks for all your comments.
the charger is a charger/starter made by clarke - i always use a trickle charge for at least an hour before using the starting option
all the connections seem fine no verdigree or dirt and all are tight
the engine is a 14hp briggs and stratton - the engine is earthed and the starter motor is earthed by being bolted to the engine - to be sure this was not happening i put a jump lead from the N battery onto the starter motor casing
the solenoid clicks(this is a seperate item) but no noise at all from the starter motor
had it on charge this morning so will try it after lunch
if i remove the plug it still does not turn
the engine is not seized as i can rotate it with my hand

[anonymous-user]

Have you checked the gear in neutral safety switch?

[stephen11]

the mower has 2 safety switches one on the seat and one on the clutch, i have checked both by disconnecting and shorting them out - my understanding is that the PCB would not allow the contactor to operate if either of these were faulty

[anonymous-user]

Ah ok, my dads' one has got four. The seat, the clutch, gear in neutral and if the blades are cutting and you put it into reverse, then you have to hold a button down otherwise it cuts out.

[Penelope Stopit]

Edited above post to remove incorrect starter type

As mentioned above, starter has surely failed if 12.8 volts is present at the starter with it connected

Is this the same starter motor?



Supply independent 12 volts directly to the starter to be sure

[stephen11]

hi thanks fror everyones input
charged up battery this morning - still would not start even on boost. took starter motor off and bench tested - fine. put it back on again and the mower started????????. Only thing i can think is that the brushes or the cog had stuck but why on the bench did it work? off to mow!
thanks again

[Penelope Stopit]

Ok then

[stephen11]

hi, i think Penelope Stopit idea that the pinion was sticking was maybe right - but it is quite bizarre (hit it with a rubber mallet if it happens again)