GC 2300 wont start

[davedj1]

Well I'm pretty certain that it was the PTO safety switch, I think it got wet the other day with the rain and then we got a severe cold snap. It got up to 34 today and it started right up after work. It spun over but only briefly, then I jiggled the PTO switch and she fired right up.
I was prepared to jump the starter but didn't need to.
I will keep an eye on it though.
Thanks,
dave

 

[irvingj]

Glad to hear it was so inexpensive a fix! That "rain followed by a cold snap" can really cause some weird (hard-to-track-down) problems.

irvingj

 

[henrysMFGC2310TBL]

I had an issue with my ign sw and took it apart to find rust and corrosion inside. Cleaned all up and has worked for a while now.

 

[67PLY]

I had a problem like that - bypassed the seat switch.

 

[artman67]

I had the same issue and thought it was the starter. Logged in here and thanks to the posters discovered it was the ignition switch. Cleaned it up and now it works fine. Thanks for sharing all this great information! Although I always keep the key in it, the retaining ring was loose so there wasn't a good seal. I'm thinking that's how the water got into the ignition. I posted a couple of pics of my ignition switch.

 

[ray66v]

Thanks to you too, Artman for the photo's.

Can anyone who has had a wire break off the ignition switch tell us now that we have photos, which one it was?

 

[irvingj]

Whaddya mean, corrosion? (What's that green stuff?)

 

[ray66v]

Looks more like patina. :thumbsup:

 

[irvingj]

Patina.. yeah

Seriously, thanks for the pics, artman. Good shots of what to look for. (So far I've been lucky, I guess.)

Ray, did somebody say they found a way to take those switches apart, or do they just have to be replaced?

irvingj

 

[ray66v]

I remember someone taking theirs apart.

I probably would try.

I am hoping to find out which wire breaks off, and see if I can take the strain off of it.

 

[Fragger]

Sadly, it's not uncommon for someone new like the original poster, to appear on here with a question like this, and not hear from them again. This not only doesn't help everyone else, it makes it hard to want to spend a lot of time helping the next one.

I feel your frustration but that is how many humans operate when they are desperate and in of need of help they turn to sites like this to help us out. Once they get their problem fixed they are gone ,without even what you found or a thank you..
I have seen on fishing sites where there will be 150 viewers 10 members and the rest are what I call "potlickers" they contribute nothing they come here get their free info and are gone, til next time they are in need ..

 

[ray66v]

I feel your frustration but that is how many humans operate when they are desperate and in of need of help they turn to sites like this to help us out. Once they get their problem fixed they are gone ,without even what you found or a thank you..
I have seen on fishing sites where there will be 150 viewers 10 members and the rest are what I call "potlickers" they contribute nothing they come here get their free info and are gone, til next time they are in need ..

This forum on TBN, is by far the best resource for GC owners.

We all benefit greatly from each others experiences, and even from their misfortunes.

If some don't realize that, and choose not to participate, it's mostly their loss.

 

[Army Mike]

Wow. Tough Crowd. I own a GC2300 and have had very few problems over the years. My AGM battery just quit and replaced with another Deka from East Penn. Now have problems starting, so on to this site. All suggestions have been great and will follow up. However, I will pay my "dues" and report back, as well in the future, as to my progress. Reminds me when I get in to McDonalds and the over 80 crowd want to know just where I have been. Thoes WW2 guys are tough and I try to keep up with them. Being a Viet Nam Marine helps, but NOT much ! I thank everyone on this site for their help.

 

[ray66v]

Wow. Tough Crowd. I own a GC2300 and have had very few problems over the years. My AGM battery just quit and replaced with another Deka from East Penn. Now have problems starting, so on to this site. All suggestions have been great and will follow up. However, I will pay my "dues" and report back, as well in the future, as to my progress. Reminds me when I get in to McDonalds and the over 80 crowd want to know just where I have been. Thoes WW2 guys are tough and I try to keep up with them. Being a Viet Nam Marine helps, but NOT much ! I thank everyone on this site for their help.

Mike, as you can see if you have been reading, everyone here is willing to put in their time to help others.

Someone providing follow up information, is not about paying their dues. It's just a simple courtesy.

It helps us all. But, it helps the next guy in the exact same situation, the most.

Thanks for reading first, and posting second. Many answers are here for the searching.

Feel free to start a new thread, with details of you problem, if you continue to have issues.

 

[Fragger]

Ray66vv ironically my switch failed today , the plastic cover under the switch actually appears to have been holding moisture ,not positive but appears to be the ground wire that broke on my gc2300 and am goin to try and resolder . and will post a pic
what happened i was removing the bushings on the power steering bolts on the steering column and i grabbed the bottom of the switch and moved it so i could better access my bolts when i went to restart there were no dash lights at all and it would not crank. i started trouble shooting and found the wire loose .
Thank you ray for all the time you put into helping us newbies to the repair board has really helped me ..

Mike thank you for your servive and military sacrifice.

 

[ray66v]

Thanks Fragger; good luck on your repair.

 

[john amsden]

My gc2300 stopped dead. I had been mowing with a rear 4 ft hvy duty rotary mower, stopped, the engine died. Headlight and directional lights worked but no dash lights. No fuel pump noise and the starter did not engage when I turned key to start it.
I checked a bunch of things thanks to all the info in this and similar threads - no luck. Couldn't find some of the fuses until I reviewed chassis manual which indicated the 4 way fuse box right rear of the engine. A 5 amp. 2, 15 amp and a 10 amp fuse live there. It was the 10 amp fuse that energizes the fuel pump and dash lights. Didn't see why that would prevent starter from engaging but replaced that and HOORAY, the machine started. Will have to see if it happens again and will need further (expensive) troubleshooting but working now. Many thanks to this forum and the many respondents. Saved me a lot of time and money!!!!

 

[Stache]

I remember someone taking theirs apart.

I probably would try.

I am hoping to find out which wire breaks off, and see if I can take the strain off of it.

ray,
I know this post was a zillion years ago, but, since it is corrosion, not so much strain, causing the wire to break off, would there be any harm it slathering dielectric grease over the whole end of that switch before it starts turning all green and such? -and would it do any good, either?

 

[ray66v]

I don’t think it’s just corrosion.

And, I don’t think the dielectric grease will hurt anything.

 

[tomstaplez]

Hi everyone. I am having a similar problem but with a ~ 2015 GC1710 .

Really good grounds.
Ignition switch appears to be perfect working order zero corrosion.
All fuses appear to be okay.
Strong battery working alternator.

Key won't engage starter solenoid.
Glow plug lights are on almost permanently.
Returning the key to 'off' position get a buzzing from glow plug relay.
Four way flashers on and I get a sick clicking and buzzing from relay that operates the flashers.

I can jump the starter from the current battery it starts up fine runs nearly flawless. A bit erratic but settles down and purs throughout the rpm range. I've had it running for 30min.
Key will not cut off the engine.

I'm lost! Any suggestions out there? Appreciate the thought. Here's a YouTube link of the machine. Thanks

I'm to new to embed links. I can message you the video link perhaps?