Mend > Tractors

1979 MTD Rider Thought Battery dead, replaced but no power yet?

Bought an old MTD lawn tractor very low horsepower, one year ago. Ran fine but one day battery died (or so I thought). Charged it, but still no power so I replaced battery, charged new one (dry cell) but still no power. Volt readings are fine. Wiring is old (battery cables old but seemingly intact). I think wiring was messed with because battery wiring does not go directly to the ignition but has several splices, etc. My dad insists it is the Ignition Switch but I think it is a wire problem but have no diagram. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, m PS along the wiring path is a bright red push button, plastic, that pushes into a red rectangular body, but pushing it does not make it click, it just pushes in and out. I am pretty sure it is not an inline fuse but have never seen one like it? any thoughts? I think we need to take the back cover (where the battery is) off to examine the wiring more thouroughly but Dad thinks it is too difficult. THanks, again. m

Marianne G. Bach
April 2007

MTD Vehicles, Tractors Battery Power Push Button

On my big MTD, I often have to jiggle the blade drive engagement handle, and of course depress the clutch. There is a switch on the seat, one on the blade engagement lever and one on the clutch. Diagrams are available from m-and-d.com.

Hope this helps

Stephen Casterline
January 2009

Sounds like somebody put an in line starter button on the machine.Try turning the key all the way to the start position,holding there than push the button.If that does nothing I agree with your father that it might need a new ignition switch,it might also be a bad starter to.You can have that tested at a repair shop.Just another thing to check to,is that all the bolts are tight to the battery,and the starter.Disconect the battery cables first before tightening the starter bolts!!!this can blow fuses,and give you a good shock if you touch the wrench to the side of the frame.Also check to see if there ruct free,if nut dissasemble the cable connections on the starter(dissconect battery first!),and clean with sand paper or wire brush.Ihope that helps.But I would check those before the ignition switch.

Glen a. McNabb brianglenmanor@juno.com
May 2007