'96 Cub Cadet 2140 won't start (leaves, tractors, eating, Austin)

[AustinB]

I have a '96 cub 2140 that won't turn over, it doesn't do anything. The first shop I took it to, had it for 6 weeks. They replaced the starter and it worked for 2 weeks. Now it's back to not doing anything. There was a melted fuse case under the hood, but it wasn't electrical melting, heat. There was a lot of heat coming from under the hood before I shut it off.


Any ideas as to where to start looking for the problem, aside from the new starter.

Thanks.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by AustinB

I have a '96 cub 2140 that won't turn over, it doesn't do anything. The first shop I took it to, had it for 6 weeks. They replaced the starter and it worked for 2 weeks. Now it's back to not doing anything. There was a melted fuse case under the hood, but it wasn't electrical melting, heat. There was a lot of heat coming from under the hood before I shut it off.


Any ideas as to where to start looking for the problem, aside from the new starter.

Thanks.

Is it possible that starter was rebuilt; instead of new? Regardless; it should be under warranty - if that is your problem. Parts can be bad right out of the box or the rebuilding process could have been flawed. Your battery is good and you have a good ground/contacts? Hopefully the shop did not give you the new starter and there was another problem?

The heat coming from under the hood bothers me. I presume that you have checked your oil. One other problem that older tractors experience - check for mice nests. The easiest way to do that is to take your leaf blower and force air into/under the motor cowling. Look for nest material coming out. This can also work to get rid of leaves and debris that has accumulated. If you do spot mice debris; you might want to remove the cowling and do a great job cleaning all of that out. I don't know if the repair shop removed that when they did the starter work? I also presume that you have no leaks in your muffler or you would hear.

PS If you do pull the cowling for debris; check to see if any wires were gnawed through.

[AustinB]

Originally Posted by fisheye

Is it possible that starter was rebuilt; instead of new? Regardless; it should be under warranty - if that is your problem. Parts can be bad right out of the box or the rebuilding process could have been flawed. Your battery is good and you have a good ground/contacts? Hopefully the shop did not give you the new starter and there was another problem?

The heat coming from under the hood bothers me. I presume that you have checked your oil. One other problem that older tractors experience - check for mice nests. The easiest way to do that is to take your leaf blower and force air into/under the motor cowling. Look for nest material coming out. This can also work to get rid of leaves and debris that has accumulated. If you do spot mice debris; you might want to remove the cowling and do a great job cleaning all of that out. I don't know if the repair shop removed that when they did the starter work? I also presume that you have no leaks in your muffler or you would hear.

PS If you do pull the cowling for debris; check to see if any wires were gnawed through.

Thanks, I'll take a look next weekend. It's going to s different shop next week. My regular mech.

[fisheye]

Originally Posted by AustinB

Thanks, I'll take a look next weekend. It's going to s different shop next week. My regular mech.

It might cost you money that could come out of your own pocket. If the starter is the problem; the first mechanic should replace it for no charge or just labor. You could check with your regular mechanic and ask him if he could get warranty reimbursement from your first shop (if that is the case). Of course there is the chance that it was never the starter in the first place; possibly it was the solenoid or ignition switch? It is hard to really give you good advice without knowing the problem and without knowing the honesty of the people that your dealing with.

I hope that you get your overheating figured out. Hot enough to melt a plastic fuse holder is hot enough to boil oil or permanently damage your engine.

Good luck and let us know what happens!