QuestionQUESTION: John,
You previously answered this question:
Expert: John C. Bridgers Sr.
Date: 9/28/2007
Subject: 92 wheel horse won't start
Question
Our son, who is 12, bought a 92 toro wheel horse with the money he had been saving.
He was told all that it needed was a new battery. The model number is 05-38SL02.
He went out and bought a new battery and we installed it for him but nothing happened,
there was not noise or even an attenpt to start. We checked the 20 amp fuses and they
are all good. Can you give us any suggestions to help him out?
From your Description, it Sounds like a Safety Switch or the Starter Solenoid May be Bad.
Jumper the Starter Solenoid First to See if the Starter Turns the Engine, then Check the
Safety Switch (it May have 2 or 3 Safety Switches; 1- the Seat, 2- the Blade and 3- the
Shifter/Transmission). On Some Models
you can Simply Unplug the Switch and on Other Models you Must Jumper the Harness
where the Switch is Plugged into. To Check the Solenoid and Starter; Use your Jumper Cable
Set and Attach the Positive Lead Onto the Positive Post of the Battery
(make sure the Battery is Fully Charged or is a New Battery). Now Firmly Touch the
Large Post on the Starter. If the Starter Does Not Turn, then the Starter is Bad.
If the Starter Turns the Engine Properly, Then Check the Solenoid.
Firmly Touch the Small Post at the Base of the Solenoid that has the Ign Wire Attached
to it. If The Starter Does Not Turn and the Solenoid Clicks, Then the Solenoid is Bad. If the Starter Turns, then a Safety Switch is Causing the Problem. I have Sent an E-mail to Toro (Maker of Wheel Horse) and Requested a Location of a Breakdown of the Mower. Hopefully I can Give you and Addy to View a Breakdown of the Mower Online. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.""""""
I did this test and this is what got, I tested the starter and it tried to start up so I think the starter is good to go, I then tried to arc the solenoid and got nothing no spark or anything, but then I hooked up my battery charger to the positive and negetive battery post and was then able to arc the solenoid.
I am having the same symptoms as the use r above nothing, I have done a trickle charge on my battery, I purchased a new starter, but now I cannot figure out why it will not start, I get nothing when I turn the key over, and it is really weird how I can arc the solenoid with my battery charger hooked up to my battery but cannot when I do not have it hooked up to battery. Would you say from this that the battery is bad or the solenoid.
Thanks so much in advance for your help on this,
Bernie Johnson
Frustrated Wheel horse owner.
oscutech@yahoo.com
248-508-8017
ANSWER: Hello Bernie:
From your Description, I Suggest you have the Battery LOAD Tested before you Continue. It Sounds like the Battery has a Bad Cell. Does the Key Operate the Engine with the Charger Hooked Up to the Battery? If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: John,
No we cannot start the mower with the battery charger plugged in and hooked up to the battery. The key does not make any sound not even a clicking noise.
So would you try a new battery or a new solenoid.
Thanks for your help,
Bernie--
AnswerHello Again Bernie:
Check the Safety Switches. **PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING THE SAFETY SWITCHES IS JUST THAT!!! FOR CHECKING ONLY. I NEVER Suggest a Mower be Operated with a Safety Device or Switch Disconnected or Bypassed. Now. On Some Model Mowers you can Simply Unplug the Safety Switch from the Harness. On Other Models you have to Place a Jumper Wire Between the Harness Terminals (on the 4 Post Switch Jumper from Same Color Wire to Same Color Wire). Check the Clutch/Break and the Blade/PTO Safety Switches First. Check the Seat Safety Last. Usually the Seat Safety is Not in the System for Starting the Engine. Just to Ensure Someone is in the Seat when Engaging the Transaxle and/or Blades.** You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower at this Site Addy, https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/default.cfm and Select Start Parts Viewer. Now Enter the Model Numbers 05-38SL02 and Click Search. Now Select View Assembly Drawings. These are the Mower Deck Model Numbers. Send me the Model Numbers Off the Mower, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. **If you Need Assistance in Locating the Model Numbers, then You can Go to this Site Addy; https://lookup3.toro.com/partdex/default.cfm and Select Step 1.** If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
