Ariens GT19 not cranking

[Black04SpecV]

I recently acquired a Ariens GT19 model #931026. The tractor ran fine for a while. Now the tractor won't crank. I turn the key in the ignition and nothing happens, I cannot hear the starter turning. I am thinking its something electrical.

Do you guys have any ideas?

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Tony

[Black04SpecV]

I did some research and it all points to blown fuses or diodes. I will replace the fuses and go from there.

[bontai Joe]

Is the battery charged? Everything is in neutral, PTO is off?

[Bill Kapaun]

Does the solenoid click?
IF not, is there 12V to the small terminal when in the crank position..
If totally dead, probably a fuse.
A diode shouldn't have any effect on the cranking system.

[Black04SpecV]

Is the battery charged? Everything is in neutral, PTO is off?

Yep. I had a battery charger hooked up to it, when I attempted to start it.

I have the seat pressure switch bypassed as well.

[Black04SpecV]

Does the solenoid click?
IF not, is there 12V to the small terminal when in the crank position..
If totally dead, probably a fuse.
A diode shouldn't have any effect on the cranking system.

I can here a click when I attempt to start it. I changed both fuses and that didn't work also...

I seriously hate electrical problems.

[Bill Kapaun]

Try jumping across the 2 large terminals on the starter solenoid.

[Black04SpecV]

Try jumping across the 2 large terminals on the starter solenoid.

Cool I'll try to do that tomorrow.

Thanks for the help!

[Larryr]

It does sound like the starter solenoid, as already stated, but sometimes the starter has a bad spot in it ,try tapping on it lightly and see if the light jolt helps,if so you have found your problem! Hope this helps!
Good Luck
Larryr

[Black04SpecV]

Try jumping across the 2 large terminals on the starter solenoid.

I tried to jump those terminals and I heard it cranking! OMG I am so excited! Now I'm getting the battery fully charged and hopefully it will fire up in a few hours.

Before I attempt to start it again, I will pull the plugs and spray some starter fluid into the combustion chambers. The tractor has been sitting for several months so it might take a while to start.

So now I assume the starter solenoid went bad, correct? Or can it be anything else? I don't want to be jumping the starter solenoid every time I have to use the tractor. Its behind the battery, so I would have to remove the battery every time I want to start it...

Thanks for all the help!

[Bill Kapaun]

That DOES indicate a bad solenoid.

Careful with the starting fluid. You might just try dribbling a couple teaspoons worth of gas in the carb instead.

[Black04SpecV]

That DOES indicate a bad solenoid.

Careful with the starting fluid. You might just try dribbling a couple teaspoons worth of gas in the carb instead.

Starter fluid or gas both will work...

I'm always careful working on stuff, I value my health...lol

Do you know where I could get a new starter solenoid for the Ariens GT19?

[Bill Kapaun]

Solenoids are pretty generic, as long as you stick to lawn tractors.
About the only thing is if it has 3 or 4 terminals, such as in this link-
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/solenoids_ariens.cfm

Pick your poison and you can get a part# to search or take to your dealer.

[Black04SpecV]

Solenoids are pretty generic, as long as you stick to lawn tractors.
About the only thing is if it has 3 or 4 terminals, such as in this link-
http://www.jackssmallengines.com/solenoids_ariens.cfm

Pick your poison and you can get a part# to search or take to your dealer.

Mine is a 3 terminal one. I'm going to a tractor supply place on Monday, if they don't have it I'll order it.

I NEED to get the tractor working fast, my lawn is getting too long and I can't stand that...

[Black04SpecV]

Finally! I got it running and mowed most of my lawn! I purchased a 4 terminal starter solenoid, I couldn't find a 3 terminal anywhere, locally. The 4 terminal worked just fine, I just grounded the extra terminal to the chassis. The tractor fired right up, it only took few cranks and some gas down the carb.

Now on last question. The Ariens has an open differential. Is there ANY way how to convert to limited-slip differential? The open differential sucks, for traction purposes...