G-1900 starter(??) problem

Rhfatula

New member

Equipment
G-1900
Feb 24, 2024
1
0
1
Brookeville
I had the G-1900 serviced at the dealer in November. New battery installed (Along with fluids and filters). When it was brought home it started right up. Then it sat in the cold garage for a few weeks. i went out to start it up and push some snow and turned the key and the Glow plugs lit up but when I turned to “start” I got nothing. I can’t hear the solenoid click, basically nothing. in frustration I got out my ”persuader” (ball peen) and whacked the starter while turning the ignition key. It engaged and started the engine. The next few times it fired up normally and I figured I had unstuck it. But today it did the same thing and when I hit the starter with the hammer it started. Is it the solenoid? The starter? Something else?
 

lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,501
2,208
113
Mid, South, USA
Depends on which style starter you have. There were two different ones, the "big" starter and the "little" one. The big one is a direct drive starter, looks like an old GM 350 starter, solenoid on top. The little one is a Denso branded starter, solenoid and motor are mostly built in with each other.

More likely the little one, I think the big ones were 1 or 2 year models only-before the G1800/G1900 got really popular.

"generally" speaking, if you have to whack it to get it to crank over, either the starter motor brushes are gone/wore out or the solenoid is going south. Either way, those starters are pretty inexpensive in the aftermarket. If it were mine, and I had one, did the same thing, i'd just replace it.

Ironically I have my mom's G1800 sitting here in front of me, doing winter maintenance on it. Good old mower, but needs a lot of attention.
 

lmichael

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota G2160
Apr 23, 2021
743
353
63
Rockford IL area
Or you need that relay mod I did to my G2160. There are WAY too many places for voltage and current to get lost the way Kubota wired those things, and while I am sure had I taken the days to trace every wire to every interlock and either cleaned or replaced every microswitch, every spade connector and so on. I don't have the patience or the time. Adding the relay was quick, easy and WORKS. Just my $.02
 

GreensvilleJay

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,
Apr 2, 2019
13,103
5,775
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
so, how old are the battery cables ? ANY hint of corrosion on them ? How old is the machine ? When were all the safety switches cleaned/reconditioned or replaced ? Any wiring look 'marginal' ?
BTW hitting any starter with a BFH is a bad idea, unless you've got $$$$$ to burn !
 
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lugbolt

Well-known member

Equipment
ZG127S-54
Oct 15, 2015
5,501
2,208
113
Mid, South, USA
Or you need that relay mod I did to my G2160. There are WAY too many places for voltage and current to get lost the way Kubota wired those things, and while I am sure had I taken the days to trace every wire to every interlock and either cleaned or replaced every microswitch, every spade connector and so on. I don't have the patience or the time. Adding the relay was quick, easy and WORKS. Just my $.02
yeah especially on the old G series like the OP. Voltage drops everywhere! I had one on my old one, the old G2160 I had, and I just got through putting one on mom's G1800 as well-although it was starting fine. Cheap insurance, hopefully we can nurse it through yet another season. I'm gonna try to find her a Z series gas burner, maybe a little Kommander.
 

lmichael

Well-known member

Equipment
Kubota G2160
Apr 23, 2021
743
353
63
Rockford IL area
Yeah, the cool thing is with the solenoid you don't have to defeat any safety systems. Since the relay will operate at as little as 8 volts and not much current.