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Cub 154 Not Starting

IH CUB Lo-Boy Series - 154, 184, 185 Forum -- Questions and answers to all of your Lo-Boy related issues.
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bookman51
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Sun May 27, 2018 9:18 pm

I went out to start my 1969 Cub 154 today. Turned the key and complete silence. I have not started it for more than a year but I keep a battery tender on the battery and the battery seems charged up. I checked the battery terminals and cleaned them and the checked the battery ground connection and cleaned it. Still nothing...not click or anything. Tomorrow and I am going to start tracing the wiring to the start/generator and see what I find. Is there anything besides that battery and corroded connections (or breaks in wiring) that a can go bad from just setting? Any ideas how I can test the wiring and narrow down the problem? Thanks in advance.

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Larry B
5+ Years
5+ Years
Posts: 254
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:16 pm
Zip Code: 45325
Tractors Owned: IH 184
Location: Farmersville ohio

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby Larry B » Mon May 28, 2018 6:31 am

The first thing i would check is the starting relay. When you turn the key do you get battery voltage at the small terminal? If not troubleshoot the control side. Key switch, safety switches and associated wiring. If you do get battery voltage at the small starting relay terminal then troubleshoot the relay and high current wiring.
If stopped working from sitting best guess is corroded battery terminal or stuck safety switch. Do the headlights work?

staninlowerAL
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 4974
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:34 pm
Zip Code: 36558
Tractors Owned: Cubs: (3)'49's, (1 is for parts), (1)'57 IH Cub LoBoy w/FH, (2)154 Number Series Loboys, (1 is for parts), '76 Longstripe w/FH, Mowers: C-22, Bush Hog 412, Pennington 59, Woods RM42CF, Woods 42, assorted FCub plows, planters, discs, etc. OTHERS: '49 AC B & Ind. Sickle mower, '61 AC D12 Ser 2, '52 8N, '56 Ferguson 35 Deluxe, '47 & '49 Avery V, '53 MM BG (offset), '51 JD M (regular), '56 JD 420C, with Blade and fire plow, '85 JD 850 (Yanmar) w/72" belly mower, '76? Yanmar 2TR15 1500 & Bush Hog SQ42S-2 mower, '78? FORD Dexta, '86 FORD LGT14D & 48" Mower, (2)Cub Cadets & Mowers (MTD), (4) Sears Surburban's, other MTD mowers, Jeeps & other misc. "treasures"
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: AL (Southwest)

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby staninlowerAL » Mon May 28, 2018 8:01 am

Check the ground cable where it connects to the tractor. Many recommend moving it to a clean place on the frame or even run the ground wire up to the engine for better a connection.
Stan in LA (lower AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)

bookman51
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Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Mon May 28, 2018 9:24 am

Thanks Fellows. I will see if the headlights work and also try running a jumper cable from the battery ground to a better ground on the tractor. Maybe it is as easy as a bad ground. I did clean the battery cables connections and also took off the back sheet metal to get to where the battery is grounded to some other sheet metal, but maybe I can find a better ground on the transmission or something. Thanks again.

bookman51
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Mon May 28, 2018 11:27 am

Well, I tried jump starting the Cub 154 with my battery charger. Nothing...and the battery does appear charged up I put ground wire from the negative anode of the battery to three different places on the tractor where I thought there would be better grounds....nothing. Also, the lights do not work either. So appears nothing is getting electricity. The fuse looks good. So much for the easy stuff. Next step is taking some sheet metal off and testing the wiring to and from the switch. Welcome further ideas.

staninlowerAL
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 4974
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:34 pm
Zip Code: 36558
Tractors Owned: Cubs: (3)'49's, (1 is for parts), (1)'57 IH Cub LoBoy w/FH, (2)154 Number Series Loboys, (1 is for parts), '76 Longstripe w/FH, Mowers: C-22, Bush Hog 412, Pennington 59, Woods RM42CF, Woods 42, assorted FCub plows, planters, discs, etc. OTHERS: '49 AC B & Ind. Sickle mower, '61 AC D12 Ser 2, '52 8N, '56 Ferguson 35 Deluxe, '47 & '49 Avery V, '53 MM BG (offset), '51 JD M (regular), '56 JD 420C, with Blade and fire plow, '85 JD 850 (Yanmar) w/72" belly mower, '76? Yanmar 2TR15 1500 & Bush Hog SQ42S-2 mower, '78? FORD Dexta, '86 FORD LGT14D & 48" Mower, (2)Cub Cadets & Mowers (MTD), (4) Sears Surburban's, other MTD mowers, Jeeps & other misc. "treasures"
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: AL (Southwest)

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby staninlowerAL » Mon May 28, 2018 12:39 pm

Check for power at the connection on the solenoid switch (on the right side (inside) of the sheetmetal cover. Power to the key switch feeds from that point and back when the key is in the start position. You can also jump across the solenoid posts to see if the S/G will run. If your battery has bolt type connectors, check for corrosion where the battery cable fits under the clamp. Redundant statement but all electrical connections need to be shiny bright clean.
Stan in LA (lower AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)

bookman51
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Mon May 28, 2018 12:55 pm

Thanks. Will do and will get back with you after I try it.

Larry B
5+ Years
5+ Years
Posts: 254
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:16 pm
Zip Code: 45325
Tractors Owned: IH 184
Location: Farmersville ohio

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby Larry B » Mon May 28, 2018 2:37 pm

What is the battery voltage? You can see if you have battery voltage at both terminals of the ammeter to ground. If you don't troubleshoot ground connection and wiring from battery positive to relay and ammeter. If you have voltage at the ammeter gets a little complicated at the terminal block. Since nothing works probably ground or from positive terminal of batt to terminal block

bookman51
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Mon May 28, 2018 5:34 pm

Well, when I run a jumper cable from the positive anode from the battery to the A post on the starter/generator, the engine turns over fine. I thought maybe the ignition switch was bad but I check it and it seems fine. I rewired it and tried to start the tractor. This time I heard a faint click under the dash. I assume that is the solenoid. How on earth does one a solenoid out of there and back in????? Looks very very tight.

staninlowerAL
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 4974
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:34 pm
Zip Code: 36558
Tractors Owned: Cubs: (3)'49's, (1 is for parts), (1)'57 IH Cub LoBoy w/FH, (2)154 Number Series Loboys, (1 is for parts), '76 Longstripe w/FH, Mowers: C-22, Bush Hog 412, Pennington 59, Woods RM42CF, Woods 42, assorted FCub plows, planters, discs, etc. OTHERS: '49 AC B & Ind. Sickle mower, '61 AC D12 Ser 2, '52 8N, '56 Ferguson 35 Deluxe, '47 & '49 Avery V, '53 MM BG (offset), '51 JD M (regular), '56 JD 420C, with Blade and fire plow, '85 JD 850 (Yanmar) w/72" belly mower, '76? Yanmar 2TR15 1500 & Bush Hog SQ42S-2 mower, '78? FORD Dexta, '86 FORD LGT14D & 48" Mower, (2)Cub Cadets & Mowers (MTD), (4) Sears Surburban's, other MTD mowers, Jeeps & other misc. "treasures"
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: AL (Southwest)

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby staninlowerAL » Mon May 28, 2018 6:02 pm

The best access is to remove the dash cover which will require removing the steering wheel which MIGHT be a daunting task!!! The steering shaft is tapered and splined. When I removed my steering wheel, I rigged a small chainfall overhead to pull upward and apply a steady continuous pressure, soaked the shaft area with penetrant solution, loosened the nut until it was even with the end of the shaft to protect the threads and then placed a block of hardwood on the nut. (Take extreme care to protect the threads.) A 2 lb hammer on the wooden block finally loosened it enough so I was able to remove the nut and rigging then lifted the steering wheel up and out of the way.
Stan in LA (lower AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)

bookman51
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Mon May 28, 2018 6:55 pm

Thanks....about 20 years ago I tried to remove the steering wheel and gave up. However, this time I cannot give up since it looks like I have to replace the solenoid. Maybe I can hook my cherry picker on it somehow and lift up. I kind of envision having to purchase an steering wheel. I guess there are worse things. Thanks for your help.

Larry B
5+ Years
5+ Years
Posts: 254
Joined: Tue Jul 29, 2014 4:16 pm
Zip Code: 45325
Tractors Owned: IH 184
Location: Farmersville ohio

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby Larry B » Mon May 28, 2018 7:19 pm

Just wondering. Do the headlights work yet? They don't go through the key switch. Good luck with the steering wheel.

staninlowerAL
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 4974
Joined: Fri Oct 29, 2010 11:34 pm
Zip Code: 36558
Tractors Owned: Cubs: (3)'49's, (1 is for parts), (1)'57 IH Cub LoBoy w/FH, (2)154 Number Series Loboys, (1 is for parts), '76 Longstripe w/FH, Mowers: C-22, Bush Hog 412, Pennington 59, Woods RM42CF, Woods 42, assorted FCub plows, planters, discs, etc. OTHERS: '49 AC B & Ind. Sickle mower, '61 AC D12 Ser 2, '52 8N, '56 Ferguson 35 Deluxe, '47 & '49 Avery V, '53 MM BG (offset), '51 JD M (regular), '56 JD 420C, with Blade and fire plow, '85 JD 850 (Yanmar) w/72" belly mower, '76? Yanmar 2TR15 1500 & Bush Hog SQ42S-2 mower, '78? FORD Dexta, '86 FORD LGT14D & 48" Mower, (2)Cub Cadets & Mowers (MTD), (4) Sears Surburban's, other MTD mowers, Jeeps & other misc. "treasures"
Circle of Safety: Y
Location: AL (Southwest)

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby staninlowerAL » Mon May 28, 2018 7:27 pm

There are probably other ways to do this, it's just what worked for me. If you have a bearing puller that will go in below the steering wheel it might make it a bit easier. I didn't have access to one so I used a nylon sash cord and wrapped it around the steering wheel center hub several times to make a yoke to keep from damaging the spokes and outer wheel parts.
Stan in LA (lower AL)
USAF & Reserves, Reg ARMY, ARMY NG (AL)

bookman51
10+ Years
10+ Years
Posts: 219
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2008 3:15 pm

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby bookman51 » Tue May 29, 2018 4:09 pm

Lights are not working, and the steering wheel is really stuck on. I probably will end up damaging the old steering wheel more...I tried twenty years ago did some damage and quit. Thanks for all the help folks!!

mozer71
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Posts: 579
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 1:33 pm
Zip Code: 22650

Re: Cub 154 Not Starting

Postby mozer71 » Thu May 31, 2018 12:18 am

Well gosh, this isn't over. I know I had the dash panel off to correct things. Many times, attempts to remove things like steering wheels, cause the shaft to flare while the physics of pulling against the spokes, creates tightening of the hub. It needs secure mount behind the hub, similar to a bearing puller. Anyway, there is a lot you can do without removing it,


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