John Deere LT160 won't crank when I turn the key.

Joel Blevins · Aug 12, 2012

I have a new battery this summer, 500 plus hours on mower. When I turn the ignition key, nothing. Could someone give me the sequence to locate the problem? I'm thinking starter solenoid or starter or safety switch related to brake/seat sensor?

forgeblast · Aug 18, 2012

I have an LT160, there are three safety switches. There is one on the pto, one on the seat(these two are the same style) and one on the break (that one is different).
I have over the years had to swap them all and this year i did replace the solenoid. Price wise I would start with getting three switches and seeing if its that. They seem to go and I keep a few on hand now. THat way you will know if its the solenoid which is an easy fix too.
Btw welcome to tbn.

Dana Warner · Aug 18, 2012

I would start be jumping directly to the solenoid to test the solenoid and starter. After that jump each safety interlock till the problem is found. The interlocks can be tested with a test light for power or disconnected and tested with an ohm meter. The normal problem is an interlock.

rfleming11 · Jul 9, 2016

Make sure you check fuses. The primary fuse to check is what appears to be on Ground Wires (black wires). This is the fuse. You can jump from each connector after removing this fuse and if the engine starts, that is your problem. To fix mine I just made up an inline automotive fuse so I could check it later if I have another problem.

beenthere · Jul 9, 2016

:welcome: to TBN rfleming

Note that the thread was started about 4 years ago. But sometimes it is easy to miss that...

Clever idea you have..

rfleming11 · Jul 13, 2016

beenthere said:
:welcome: to TBN rfleming

Note that the thread was started about 4 years ago. But sometimes it is easy to miss that...

Clever idea you have..

I did see that but when I searched (Googled) for LT160 won't crank, I found this page. I was just hoping it would help the next guy if he found this page too.