gcbarber1 said: OK, we have a 2000 LF 3400 fairway mower. It will start but not STAY started. The problem is not any of the following:
- it is not the starter
- it is not the ignition switch/key/ignition of any kind
- it is not a safety switch/sensor or anything
Our mechanic wants me to buy a $1800 controller box from Jac because the controller box powers everything coming out of the control power. There is NOT 12 v of electricity coming from the controller box EXCEPT when the key is turned and when you let go the engine stops. We have found that if you wiggle the key around like a bastard it will stay started but we are unsure as to why.
any help before we spend $2k on this would be super.
Thanks
Ok sorry it took so long for me to get back to you but here are a few more things to check from my equipment tech.
First he said that bad battery cable connections may cause this problem so if you have not disconnected them and cleaned them start there first.
second he said check all of your fuses on the main fuse board. not for being burnt out but rather to make sure the connections are clean and making contact as that would also cause the problem.
Third he said try pushing in on the cable connections going to the bottom of the controller as our had come a little loose from time to time causing the same issue.
and last he said to test the wires going to the fuel selonoid for power. there is three wires going to the selonoid, when the key is turned to start two of the three wire should be hot and when you let go of the key (put in run) only one wire should still have power. he said you have to punch a hole in the wires to test them with your light tester.
if these do not work get back to me and I will again ask him for more advice. understand we have two of these units and he has been keeping them running since 1999 and we have seen simular issues through the years. these are just the easiest things to trouble shoot which is where you start. Remember also that as these units get older contacts tend to corrode and do not make great contact anymore and have to be cleaned. getting some contact cleaner and spraying all of your contacts to the controller and to the fuese may be a good thing to try because they may need it anyway if you have not already done it.
Good luck.