L2550 starting problem

[drums4fun]

Did you clean the surface under the end of the new ground cable where it attaches to the tractor? Is the bolt shiny and clean? When you put the new starter on, did you clean or make sure the mating surface on the block was clean to get a good ground?

I did when I installed the ground cable, but quite frankly, cleaning the starter contact never even entered my mind. I guess it never occurred to me that they would be a frame ground, but I went out and did that this morning and it started right up. Assuming that will keep starting now, I am a very happy old guy! Thank you all for your help.

While I have you all on the line, what does the smoking vent tube indicate?(I think it is a vent tube)

 

[Russell King]

The vent line is the crankcase vent and the smoke is from the blowby that escapes from the combustion chamber when the rings are not sealing as well as they could (if they were newer)

Glad you got it straightened out on starting

 

[drums4fun]

The vent line is the crankcase vent and the smoke is from the blowby that escapes from the combustion chamber when the rings are not sealing as well as they could (if they were newer)

Glad you got it straightened out on starting

Thank you very much. I suspected as much with the blow-by. I had heard the term before, but never had it explained. Never too old to learn.

 

[drums4fun]

First thing I would check IS the connections to the battery and frame (ground) since you replaced the starter, I would assume that the mating surface was clean between starter and block.


The clutch, does it have a safety switch on it by chance? IF so - this could be your problem.

Read this :

https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/clutch-safety-switch.8049/

As it happens, I assumed the mating surface between the starter and the block was fine primarily because it had not occurred to me that it provided the ground to the starter. I have just been lucky all the other times I have replaced starters on various vehicles in my lifetime. After that was brought up in this thread for the second time, I decided that it couldn't hurt to take the starter off and clean the mating surfaces. That was the problem! Thanks again for all your help. Now I know where the safety switch is and how to adjust it, also.