Ignition switch or what?

[JDMainer]

JD 450 no start. Thinking there is a bad connection somewhere, I started checking connections with my trusty digital volt meter. 12.60 volts at starter battery connection with key off. 0.32 volts at starter battery connection with key on. What am I missing?

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

A high resistance in the starter cable. Probably the battery post connector. First thing I would do is pull the posts and clean them. Both pos and neg, since you do not know for sure which side of the battery the poor connection is. Heck, it is just as likely to be both of them as it is either one....

What you are missing is the meter offers no load at all. So, only a few electrons need pass thru to read full voltage with the key off. With the key on, the battery is under the highest possible load, and those few electrons simply disappear into the starter coil. This in itself points the way to the trouble.

Stan

[JDMainer]

Thank you Stan. The purchase of this 450 has been an educational experience. I cleaned all battery terminals. Machine fired right up.

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Yay! I love it when a plan comes together!

Stan