safety switch/electrical issue IH 184

[otg76]

Working on a project IH 184 that has not run in 3 years. Just rebuilt carburetor, cleaned tank, and sediment bowl. Great fuel flow, no leaks, and engine ran fine. Got brave and flipped the pto switch, engine immediately died. Now the engine will not turn over. When I turn the key on, the oil light will light up, so I know there is power, but will not turn over. I have checked fuses and look okay. I bypassed safety switch on clutch, but still no luck. I turn on key and flip pto switch on and off and clutch appears to be working. Is there a safety switch on the mower deck that I am overlooking?? I am at a loss what else to look for!

[Eugene]

Clean all battery and battery cable connections.

Next move the battery ground cable from the sheet metal to the transmission/differential.

Edit. Check to see if the starter is stuck in the flywheel.

[Greg Armstrong]

The safety switch runs through the PTO switch, did you bypass that? Clean all the contacts on the PTO switch and all the connectors. Spray some electrical contact cleaner in the switch and work it back and forth and check the terminals for continuity.

[otg76]

Thanks to all for your suggestions. A new battery was installed previously and all the terminals were properly cleaned at that time. I just ran jumper cables from the battery to the starter and the engine will turn over. I have not changed the ground cable to the diff. as suggested, but the head lights will work, the oil indicator light comes on, and the pto switch will activate the clutch. I am suspecting the pto switch may be the culprit or I should say a connection between the pto switch and the clutch safety switch. I have discovered that someone has made some modifications on the wiring and installed a couple of blade fuses. However, both fuses appear to be okay. Still troubleshooting!

[BigBill]

Ground cable failure.

[otg76]

I replaced the PTO switch and everything worked perfectly!

[Greg Armstrong]

Glad you got it figured out! I wouldn't toss the old PTO switch, you may be able to clean it up and keep it as a spare.