[ajc6514]

My 318 has been blowing fuses for a couple of years now. Last year I replaced my ignition switch and the battery tested weak. So I replaced the battery as well. All ran fine for about a year (blowing snow and mowing grass). A couple weeks ago it began blowing circuits again and fried another ignition switch. I’m not sure which Onen motor it has, but it has the modern circuits with the flat fuses. The “B” post on the ignition switch must be getting hot, because it was black on the switch I just replaced (last year’s I just figured it was time because it was rusty). The mower starts and runs fine all the time, but only seems to run into this problem when the PTO is engaged. It’ll mow for about 20 minutes then blow the fuse. I can drive it around all day without any problems until I engage the PTO. Also replaced voltage regulator and battery cables a couple weeks ago. Didn’t seem to help. Any ideas or other similar threads that can be posted would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[rwmeyer]

PTO coil may be getting bad. Disconnect plug at pto and ohm pto windings. A good coil should be around 3.5 -4+ ohms, 3 ohms is barely marginal, and 2.5 ohms is shot! The lower ohms allows more amps to flow and tends to blow fuses, heat connections (overheat & melt plastic housing), etc.! Ohm windings and report back. Bob

 

[ajc6514]

PTO coil may be getting bad. Disconnect plug at pto and ohm pto windings. A good coil should be around 3.5 -4+ ohms, 3 ohms is barely marginal, and 2.5 ohms is shot! The lower ohms allows more amps to flow and tends to blow fuses, heat connections (overheat & melt plastic housing), etc.! Ohm windings and report back. Bob

Tested at 2.6 Ohms. Also looks to be shot. 1200
hours and I’m sure it’s original. Also looks like some oil or grease got on the surface and burned it up. I’ll replace it and let you know the results. Thanks!

 

[rwmeyer]

aj, If you feel adventurous, hang onto your old clutch! Do an online search or search this Forum for rewinding the clutch. I won't say it's easy or difficult as this is something you'll have to determine after reading the info!

Also, do some searches for a replacement clutch... JD clutches are pricey! I don't know the names of of the top of my head, but others have used them and are happy with the results AND the cost savings! Bob