Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Cub Cadet, cub cadet lawn, fuse holder

Question
Hi Ben. A few days ago I started up my Cub Cadet lawn tractor after it had been sitting since early Nov. It started up and ran for 2 seconds but then died. Tried to restart, but everything was dead. Checked around and saw the fuse was blown. Replaced it and same thing again. During the last couple of days I checked over all of the wiring with a fine toothed comb for any damage or shorting out or ground problems.Still the same problem. I don't know what I'm missing. I don't know what else to check.Is this a common problem with this tractor? It ran fine when I parked it last year. The tractor model# is LT1042/13BX11CG712. Ser.#1I125H10053.Engine is a 19 horse Kohler Courage Model#SV590S Ser#3517410343 Spec#SV590-0003.I hope you have enough info.I bought this new in May of '05. Thank you for any help you can give. Steve from Pennsylvania.

Answer
Steve
Have you checked the alternator out put sounds like the alt is putting out more that 12 volts to the starting system.Check also to make sure your coil is not shorting out.It seems like the fuse holder on the 80's-90's 300-500 series WH's is a soft spot causing a lot of grief. Check the entire fuse holder for corrosion. Could be in a location that harbors moisture or maybe the life of the fuse holder is limited by the coating on the fuse contacts.