... just clicks?

[rossdc]

My Cub Cadet 1050 ran the three-year-old battery down to zero this morning, with a lack-luster start that killed it. Got a new Sears battery with correct CCAs (230), but now it just clicks when the key is turned. Dash lights and headlights work. Cannot figure out what's happening. Any ideas?

 

[ecbaatz]

Even though it is a new battery it may need to be charged completely. Even though the headlights and dash lights work it may not have enough of a charge to turn over the engine. I would put it on a charger overnight and check again in the morning. If it doesn't work then, I would take it back to sears for a replacement and have them ensure the new one is fully charged.

Eric

 

[Gunny]

Cross the solenoid and see if it turns the starter over (just to make sure it isn't the solenoid that's bad). I'd also make sure the ground wire was good (on both ends), you may have bumped or moved when while changing batteries.

 

[Clint S]

Check your ground, make sure it is nice and clean and tight.

 

[Scrambler82]

Turn on your lights, while you watch the lights have someone try to start it.
If the light drop in brightness or go out then the battery is the culprit, consider charging it and if it still does it then get another battery.

Then of course there is the cleaning of both the battery cable ends and the posts of the battery.
Then use some de-OX, anti-oxidation, paste on the battery connections.

After that is it isn't fixed you may need to trace the battery leads to where they are going may have loose or bad connections.

The last thing you will need to,check if all else fails are the connections on the starter and then the starter itself.

Start charging, test for voltage, check connections.

Luck,

 

[rossdc]

Turn on your lights, while you watch the lights have someone try to start it.
If the light drop in brightness or go out then the battery is the culprit, consider charging it and if it still does it then get another battery.

Then of course there is the cleaning of both the battery cable ends and the posts of the battery.
Then use some de-OX, anti-oxidation, paste on the battery connections.

After that is it isn't fixed you may need to trace the battery leads to where they are going may have loose or bad connections.

The last thing you will need to,check if all else fails are the connections on the starter and then the starter itself.

Start charging, test for voltage, check connections.

Luck,

All good tips, you guys, thanks. The lights do dim upon turning the key, and it may well be that this off-the-shelf battery, probably on the shelf since spring, is down some. I'll charge it up and see what happens, and I'll report back. Many thanks!

 

[Bob_Bainbridge]

All good tips, you guys, thanks. The lights do dim upon turning the key, and it may well be that this off-the-shelf battery, probably on the shelf since spring, is down some. I'll charge it up and see what happens, and I'll report back. Many thanks!

You may have a bad battery cable(s). The easiest way to check is with a voltmeter, available for $10 or less. Check the voltage right at both battery terminals while cranking. If the engine isn't actually cranking the voltage should be near 12 volts. If it drops to 8-10 volts the battery is bad. If the voltage is good at the terminals, check it at the starter terminal with the positive meter lead on the starter terminal and the negative lead on the tractor chassis somewhere. If the voltage is much lower, one or both cables are bad.

Bob B.

 

[rcbe]

OP - get the "new" sears battery load tested. Smaller batteries are somewhat notorious for having cell defects right off the shelf...

 

[MH8675309]

Sounds simple but make sure the pto is disengaged

 

[Navasot]

Its the small solenoid under the seat panel beside the battery. Little black box two prongs runs inline with the battery and starter. Cheap fix dealer should have one in stock.