2015 RTVX-1100 intermittent only one click and won't start

[Dead Ash]

Hello all,
As I updated in "buying advice" I now own a used 2015 RTVX-1100 side by side.

After getting it home I changed the motor oil and filter, fuel filter, and both filters in the rear under the muffler. Vacuumed and blew out the 2 engine air filters, and vacuumed the cabin air filter in passenger side dash.

The next day I started it and used it to do some yard work. I started it and let it run for approximately 2 hours continuous and then turned it off for lunch. Came back and when I tried to start it there was nothing.

I had it in neutral, parking brake on and foot on the brake, nothing. I tried all configurations of this, parking brake on, off, foot on brake and not on brake and still nothing. I tried rocking forward and back just in case there was pressure on the gears and nothing.

I had my wife sit in it and steer while I used my tractor to pull it all the way bak to the garage. I tried jumping it with my truck, nothing. I removed the battery put a volt meter on it and it registered 12.85 volts.
I then took it to the auto parts store to be tested and it showed good battery.

Reinstalled the battery and it started. It has done this now three times, and it is disappointing and frustrating.

Is there a safety switch or something that I can check or am overlooking? Is there some sort of adjustment I need to make?

The only manuals that I was given with it were for the Boss snow plow. I downloaded the operators manual for RTVX-1100 and the RTVX series, and the 3 part WSM.

Thanks in advance.

 

[85Hokie]

So........... it COULD be a safety switch - but since you removed and placed back and had success - I would really think about replacing the cables - a bad cable is hard to see up under the insulation.

I have a BX that will do this - and I know it is the PTO safety switch, ( I know you do not have a PTO) If I place the lever on then OFF quickly the switch will allow the BX to start.

What switches on the machine MUST be engaged to start? Seat? Brake?

 

[85Hokie]

Digging - I found this:

• Location:
  On the RTV-1100, the neutral safety switch is located on the top of the transmission, specifically on the engine side of the shift valve.
  
  
• Function:
  It's a two-wire switch that detects the transmission's position and completes the circuit to allow the starter to engage only when in neutral.
  
  
• Troubleshooting:
  If you're experiencing starting issues, a faulty neutral safety switch could be the culprit. You can test it by grounding out the wire connected to it, but be cautious as the RTV could start while in gear during testing.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm. "removed/reinstalled battery and it started."

Sure sounds like bad battery cables. How old are they ? What do they look like? Pictures ?

Jumping a good battery with another is useless when the cables are bad.
easy test..
remove battery, use jumper cables to externally connect battery( sitting on ground) to starter see if it spins.

Without wiring diagram and proper testing I dont' know if a switch is faulty BUT 'RTV' implies it'll get wet at some point and battery cables( all copper wires) will corrode and 'click,click, quiet' is the usual result.

 

[Dead Ash]

Thank you for the quick responses.

I copied and pasted the below instructions from the operators manual.

After it did start I tried restarting with parking brake on and off and foot on the brake and off and it start ether way. On thing constant was shifter in Neutral gear. Confusing.

I do not know how old the cables are I am assuming original. I will get pictures tomorrow. There is a round block with a group of wires above the battery and attached to the positive terminal. I think this may be part of the plow wiring also.

STARTING THE ENGINE
1. Make sure the parking brake is set.
2. Set the range gear shift lever to the
"NEUTRAL" position.
3. Lock the hydraulic lift cylinder lever or the hydraulic outlet lever to the "NEUTRAL" position with a restricting plate.
4. Push the speed control pedal down about 1/2 way.
5. Insert the key into the key switch and turn it "ON".
6. Turn the key to "PREHEAT" position and hold it for the preheating.
7. Turn the key to "START" position and release when the engine starts.
Because of safety devices, the engine will not start
except when the range gear shift lever is placed in the
"NEUTRAL" position.
8. Check to see that all the warning lamps on the Easy Checker(TM) are "OFF".

 

[GreensvilleJay]

if you hear the starter solenoid on the starter go 'click' , the 'safety' stuff is allowing power to the solenoid.
if this happens and the starter doesn't spin, odds are bad battery cables . You've already proven the battery is good , and starter used to work fine. What's left ? the cables.

 

[Dead Ash]

I went out this am and tried to start it according to the 8 steps listed above.

Turned the key and only heard one click and nothing. I shifted from neutral to reverse and then to high and back into neutral and tried again. this time it started.

I am attaching pictures of the battery and wiring, hope this helps.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

sigh........
1st THANK YOU for the pictures !! Still shaking my head over the 'rat's nest' I see.

There is a LOT of 'creative' wiring that has been added,so please get back to 'square one'..

I suggest you remove 100% of ALL the added on wiring, disconnect the OEM battery cables, clean the posts and inside of the cable ends, reconnect ONLY the 2 battery cables, see if it starts.

It'll be interesting to read your 'progress report' .