Cub Cadet 2145 - will not start

[rflowers]

Hello, all. I am new to this forum. As a matter of fact, this is my first post and it is a 2-part question.

I have a Cub Cadet 2145 that my father-in-law gave me. At the time, he knew it was having trouble starting, and he told me so. This is a starter problem - it doesn't crank, and you have to keep turning the switch. Eventually it will catch. Well, today there was no "eventually." By shorting over the solenoid, I made the starter turn, but of course it would not engage.

First question: I started looking for a new solenoid, and found a couple of parts places that called it a "magnetic switch." Both places wanted $400+ for this part. (One was the Cub Cadet site itself.) This seems excessive. Do people really pay this much for Cub Cadet parts? (That's the question.)

Second question: There is a warning light telling me to disengage the mower blades. I am guessing there is a safety shut-out to prevent starting when the deck is engaged. However, the blades are disengaged. Could my problem be a faulty reading from somewhere in the circuit, and not in the solenoid?

Thanks much.

 

[rflowers]

Just to let you know, I now think it's the battery. I was able to start the tractor with a 'jumper box.'

 

[cullycraft]

Just to let you know, I now think it's the battery. I was able to start the tractor with a 'jumper box.'

I have a 2145 with the same starter issue. It has a new battery that not the problem. I think it may be the start switch,

 

[tomplum]

Welcome. It is much more likely to be the connector on the red wire behind the switch, a fuse, connector behind the PTO switch or the starter solenoid. Best to work this kind of thing through.