Tis a sad day - Machine Underground -Tractor & Commercial Equipment Discussion Forum

CCinCT · 02-16-2008, 01:31 PM

Was going to bring my 2544 down to the dealer today to have them do the 50 hour service. When I went to start it the starter engaged the flywheel with misaligned teeth and made the predictable grinding sound. I turned the key off for a couple seconds and retried. Nothing but "click" "click". After some troubleshooting and a quick call to my dealer I was able to start it by jumping the two connections on the starter. Got it loaded on the truck and delivered to the dealer. Tried starting it again and got nothing this time, not even the "click".

It's still under warranty, so I'm not worried about it. But it does make me wonder what happened. The last time I tried starting it in cold weather (about 20 degrees) I got nothing but "click". That time I removed and reseated two fuses and that seemed to do the trick, but not this time.

Anyway, I can no longer say that my tractor has not given me any trouble. I can, however, say that I'm not upset by this. It's a machine, and things will happen from time to time. Unlike the population of a couple other sites, I feel no desire to write some scathing manifesto on the evilness of MTD.

Rocko · 02-16-2008, 02:29 PM

Sorry to hear about your troubles....Glad to hear you are mature about em

**Ducati996** · 02-16-2008, 06:35 PM

Yes you are taking it very well - usually medication and being strapped to the chair and the EKG hookup is usually what I need -

<j/K>

Its electrical no doubt -should be an easy fix for the dealer - its still a solid machine

**emerichsales** · 02-16-2008, 08:38 PM

We need more customers like you. If they never broke then we wouldn't need warranty's. More than likely it's a quick fix.
Kevin

johndeere · 02-17-2008, 12:55 AM

They will take care of you.Not a Cub Cadet or MTD thing anyway more of a Kohler thing and im sure someone else makes the starter and no matter its just a new bug Fluke!I had a John Deere new in 1993 that was a nightmare the first year I owned it was in the shop 4 or 5 times the first year.After that I had 9 trouble free years and was a reliable machine.I liked it so much I traded it for another John Deere.I also have a Cub Cadet and it has been reliable no major problems.So times you just have a few gremlins to get out of a new machine.

Al Letts · 02-17-2008, 11:58 PM

I will say this of MTD, they have an excellent web based parts and manual order system. I recently boujght a 94 model MTD shredder/chipper that the engine was in pieces for. I first tried a local approved Briggs dealer for needed parts and received a very unfriendly response and what I'd call lousy service. I next went to the internet Briggs site and found that wanting as they couldn't recognise my particular 5 HP horiz model engine. Feeling very whipped by this time, I tried the MTD internet site and although the model was old I found easliy orderable manujals, parts lists, and above all detailed Briggs engine parts as well. Prices were better than the local stealer. Net result a weeks wait for the delivery system which is no different than the stealer.

I like MTD service.

CCinCT · 02-19-2008, 11:07 AM

Tis a happy day.

Dealer just called to tell me there's nothing wrong with the starter, solenoid, etc. One of the troubleshooting things he had me do when this happened was to remove the starter to make sure it wasn't stuck. I did that and reinstalled it. But apparently I forgot to reattach one wire to the starter. Doh!

**Ducati996** · 02-19-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCinCT

Tis a happy day.

Dealer just called to tell me there's nothing wrong with the starter, solenoid, etc. One of the troubleshooting things he had me do when this happened was to remove the starter to make sure it wasn't stuck. I did that and reinstalled it. But apparently I forgot to reattach one wire to the starter. Doh!

Thats too funny

did you miss any snow events because of this oversight?

Dont feel bad, I dropped off a car for a inspection. However the station calls me and makes fun of me because the sticker was valid until Dec 08'. All that shuffling (getting rides back and forth) for nothing

I had him do other things to it instead, but I felt like a tard.

**dyt4000** · 02-19-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCinCT

Tis a happy day.

Dealer just called to tell me there's nothing wrong with the starter, solenoid, etc. One of the troubleshooting things he had me do when this happened was to remove the starter to make sure it wasn't stuck. I did that and reinstalled it. But apparently I forgot to reattach one wire to the starter. Doh!

Sounds like you have a good dealer!

Mickey · 02-19-2008, 12:58 PM

A nice but embarrassing end to your tell of woe. Nice it wasn't something too serious.