G18 wont turn over

Finnie

New member

Equipment
Kubota G18 mower
Sep 25, 2020
2
0
1
Scotland
Hi Everyone from stunning Scotland. I have a G18 lawnmower. Two weeks ago I parked it up to go and get my daughter from school. When I came back it wouldn't turn over. Just like one of the safety switches wasn't working. I have replaced the foot brake one but it has made no difference. The strange thing is one night it started no problem. Then a week ago I pushed and prodded the starer motor wiring and put wd40 in the ignition. Two hours later I tried when I walked past and it fired up no problem!

The yesterday nothing, click click click but starter motor not turning over. pushed prodded disconnected and reconnected a few wires around ignition and starter, more wd 40 in ignition. Still nothing. Cut the grass with my 16" mower, again walked past and without pre heating turned the key and it turned over. Jumped on ready to go finish the grass and then it failed to respond again.

HELP

Oh and how do I move the mower around when I cannot start it, takes real effort to push so I think I'm pushing against hydraulics, is there a maintenance bypass???
 

rentthis

Well-known member
Lifetime Member
May 30, 2012
1,009
25
48
summerville,sc
strange behavior in a mower/tractor is often a bad ground/earth. Clean your battery cables at both ends where they connect to the battery and where they connect to the machine. You might also have your battery checked. Even new batteries are known to be bad. If the solenoid is clicking, it sounds like a lack of voltage getting to the started.
 

Finnie

New member

Equipment
Kubota G18 mower
Sep 25, 2020
2
0
1
Scotland
On Saturday I jumped the starter solenoid with a screwdrive and it started fairly easily. Ran for an hour no problem.

The ignition switch is fairly sensitive and an increase in pressure on the key leads to all sorts of clicking ( I think this is air intake opening or something for cold starting) but no starter motor turnover. Question is whether it is the ignition or another problem with the wiring? I could chance a kep replacement or I could also wire in a button start across the solenoid terminals?
 

Jamiemeadows

New member

Equipment
Kubota g18
Apr 27, 2025
1
0
1
Uk
On Saturday I jumped the starter solenoid with a screwdrive and it started fairly easily. Ran for an hour no problem.

The ignition switch is fairly sensitive and an increase in pressure on the key leads to all sorts of clicking ( I think this is air intake opening or something for cold starting) but no starter motor turnover. Question is whether it is the ignition or another problem with the wiring? I could chance a kep replacement or I could also wire in a button start across the solenoid terminals?
Sorry to reopen a old chat, how did you get on? What was the fix? I have a g18 that won't start, like a electrical issue, safety switch etc. Any advice on what to look for?