ZD21 Electrical issue

[MBH]

I have a ZD21 that has an electrical problem. When I turn the ignition switch on the dash lights come on but when I turn the key to start the lights turn off and stay off. This happened several times and now they will not turn on at all. The battery id fully charged and I removed the ignition switch and checked it with a meter and it seems to be working. I checked the fuses and they seem ok as well. Any ideas on what could be going on?

 

[Russell King]

Clean the battery cable ends at all four ends, especially the ground point on the tractor end.

Clean the battery posts also.

If you think the cables look old, worn, corroded, bad you might just replace them also.

 

[MBH]

I have done that. I am getting power to the switch.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Replace both high current battery cables.
You're getting voltage to the switch NOT current to the starter.
You only need a few milliamps to light the dash light but 100s of AMPS to spin the starter.

 

[MBH]

That makes sense but I am not even getting the dash lights to come on. I am beginning to think it is the ignition switch. I get some resistance in ohms when I move the switch from off to start. Is there a good way to test the switch. Everything I have read says there should "0" ohms or infinity.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

That makes sense but I am not even getting the dash lights to come on. I am beginning to think it is the ignition switch. I get some resistance in ohms when I move the switch from off to start. Is there a good way to test the switch. Everything I have read says there should "0" ohms or infinity.

Really low ohms is about the same as 0 when checking something like this.
If you get high ohm or infinity that would be bad.
Do you have a simple test light?
If you use it to check for voltage you will get a quick answer without the variables.

 

[MBH]

It turns out you were right it was the positive side cable. I had put on a different end at one time because the old end had corroded and that connection was dirty enough to case the problem. I am going to purchase a oem cable. Thanks for your help.