JD 185 lawn tractor starter

I have a JD 185 lawn tractor. When I turn the key to start it, the starter doesn't turn. I pulled it apart and it runs fine when held off to the side. What should I be doing here to 'fix' it.
 
Does it just click when you turn the key? My dad's 185 will start sometimes and sometimes you have to turn the key several times and eventually it will stop clicking and will start. It's been that way for probably 20 years. If I remember right, he traced all the wires and checked with a volt meter and by the time power went thru all the interlock switches that sometimes there wasn't enough power to pull the solenoid in to engage the starter.

The easy way to start it is to keep a screwdriver on the platform and you can reach down from the seat and run the screw driver across the solenoid to engage the starter. The proper way, no....but it works. OR, we have talked about putting a push button starter switch on to bypass all the interlock BS and go straight to the starter.
 
Really need a little more detail on what's happening...

If the starter tries to turn, as in it engages the drive but doesn't have enough power to turn the engine, look for low battery, dirty or loose connections, high resistance across the solenoid, bad starter bushings.

Also try turning the engine by hand, there could be a problem with the engine or the belt driven accessories.

Even though the starter will run without a load doesn't really prove anything. The problem can still be with the starter. I would put it back together and do some voltage tests starting at the battery, working toward the starter.
 
Check the wires on the back of the switch,they are famous for corroding and the extra heat burns the switch.
 
You need to just try jumping it across the solenoid while the starter is mounter like it was. It was common for the older mowers to NOT carry enough current through the key switch/safety circuits to engage the starter solenoid.

How to fix it:

1) Check all of the connections. Especially the ones on the key switch, safety switch and starter. If any of those are corroded it will not crank. ( Really check out the brake safety switch. It is under a shield and riveted to the frame under the battery. They are the trouble many times.)

2) Install a relay in the start circuit. JD makes a "kit" to do it but most good parts stores carry the small square relays and the harness in a kit for around $10.

So you would hook the wire that is currently going to the starter solenoid to the energize wire on the relay. Hot to battery terminal at the starter. Ground to one of the engine mounting bolts. Now the "factory" wiring only has to carry enough current/amps to energize the relay.
 
Check your battery voltage when making a start. You can use a hydrometer to check your battery cells should read around 1.280 on a fully charged battery. If one cell reads 1.100 you need a new battery. Hal
 

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