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Scag Tiger Cub won't start

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poohboy

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
48" Scag Tiger Cub. Sometimes the starter won't kick.
It seems to be a bad switch or wire connection issue.

If I hold the key switch in the start position and pull up and bang down the blade engage switch it will eventually start.
I can hear the blade clutch kicking in and dropping out as I do this, so the blade switch is working. The blade switch works normally when the mower is started.
I mess with the brake switch and the arms switches and the seat switch and they always seem to be fine and not be part of the problem.
It seems like the blade switch is bad.

I took the blade switch out and tested it with a meter and it seems to check out that it is operating properly. I have a new switch to try when I get to it, but I am worried that it is NOT the blade switch and I don't know what else to look for.
I guess the key switch MIGHT be going bad and banging on the blade switch makes the key switch connection work.

Anybody have any suggestions for what else to look for to get the starter to engage every time when I want it to?
 
#2 ·
poohboy said:
48" Scag Tiger Cub. Sometimes the starter won't kick.
It seems to be a bad switch or wire connection issue.

If I hold the key switch in the start position and pull up and bang down the blade engage switch it will eventually start.
I can hear the blade clutch kicking in and dropping out as I do this, so the blade switch is working. The blade switch works normally when the mower is started.
I mess with the brake switch and the arms switches and the seat switch and they always seem to be fine and not be part of the problem.
It seems like the blade switch is bad.

I took the blade switch out and tested it with a meter and it seems to check out that it is operating properly. I have a new switch to try when I get to it, but I am worried that it is NOT the blade switch and I don't know what else to look for.
I guess the key switch MIGHT be going bad and banging on the blade switch makes the key switch connection work.

Anybody have any suggestions for what else to look for to get the starter to engage every time when I want it to?
Click to expand...
I guess the first queston is how old is the unit?

Well what about the battery have you tired to charge it overnite? Or put a battery boster on it? Have you tried to start the unit by shorting across the leads on the starter with a screw driver?
 
#3 ·
Also, pull the leads off the key switch, and make sure the prongs and sockets are clean and making good contact. There's a lot of dust that gets into those tiny areas, and it can make the contact iffy at best, so banging on your PTO knob may just be making the male and female ends in the key switch contact long enough to get it started. Use some sort of electical contact cleaner and/or a small wire brush.
 
#4 ·
poohboy said:
48" Scag Tiger Cub. Sometimes the starter won't kick.
It seems to be a bad switch or wire connection issue.

If I hold the key switch in the start position and pull up and bang down the blade engage switch it will eventually start.
I can hear the blade clutch kicking in and dropping out as I do this, so the blade switch is working. The blade switch works normally when the mower is started.
I mess with the brake switch and the arms switches and the seat switch and they always seem to be fine and not be part of the problem.
It seems like the blade switch is bad.

I took the blade switch out and tested it with a meter and it seems to check out that it is operating properly. I have a new switch to try when I get to it, but I am worried that it is NOT the blade switch and I don't know what else to look for.
I guess the key switch MIGHT be going bad and banging on the blade switch makes the key switch connection work.

Anybody have any suggestions for what else to look for to get the starter to engage every time when I want it to?
Click to expand...
Make sure all your connection is clean and tight on your starter and battery post.
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
The battery is fine. If I jump power to the small wire on the starter it will start right up.

I got a new blade switch; no change.
I got a new key switch; no change.
It still won't start regularly.

I am about to just install a pushbutton bypass switch to jump power to the small wire on the starter.

I see a relay box or something inside the panel by the key switch and blade switch. It looks like some of the wires go to this box.
Does a relay ever go bad? Is it a known issue?
I will see about getting a new one of those if it is possibly causing my problem.
 
#7 ·
Man just put it in the shop and get it fix the right way. If you do that you won't have to worry bout that again. Spend that $$$ at least it'll be do right instead of Jerry rigging it. Do it right man. That's the way to GO :)
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#8 ·
Kleen Kutz said:
Man just put it in the shop and get it fix the right way. If you do that you won't have to worry bout that again. Spend that $$$ at least it'll be do right instead of Jerry rigging it. Do it right man. That's the way to GO :)
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Click to expand...
I had to do the same thing this past week with my Cub. It would only run with the choke on. I swore it had a vacuum leak or a blocked carb jet. After burning up a day, I took it to the dealer. They looked at it and found the wire going to the fuel shut off solenoid was not making good contact. It's back running normal again.
 
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