Wheel/clutch wont engage

[Jimma]

I have a small vermeer 252. The wheel suddenly stopped working. All belts are ok. flick the switch and nothing happens. thought it was the clutch so I tested the plug coming from the switch to the clutch and have power when the switch is turned on, but the clutch won't engage. Pulled the clutch off and before sending it out for repair, ran a direct connection from the battery to the clutch plug and it engaged just fine. When I checked the switch, I checked the voltage from the plug that plugs into the clutch plug, so that seems fine. not sure where else to look. Any suggestions? I'm thinking that maybe the plug itself isn't coming together right or grounding out when plugged together, guess I'll check that in the morning

 

[066blaster]

You could cut out the plug and connect the wires. Or attach some kind of new plug. I had this problem on my zero turn mowers and just cut the plug out and connected the wires. Might have to cut them again to replace belts but oh well

 

[Jimma]

So I spliced the wires around the plugs and nothing. Then I replaced the ground, nothing. Just when I was about to give up, I decided to run a wire from the ground of the clutch and touch it to the battery ground and sure enough the clutch kicked in and the cutter wheel came on. Pulled the wire away from the battery and the clutch stayed engaged. Turned off the switch and it stopped but came right back on when I turned it back on. Now it seems fine. What the heck???

 

[066blaster]

Well at least it ain't your clutch. Just a ground issue.

 

[066blaster]

Is there a solenoid on it?I have one but haven't had to dig that deep into it yet. But I had that problem on a atv winch. And when I would jump the solenoid it would work for a while.

 

[Jimma]

I believe there is a solenoid and now that you mentioned it, when I touched the ground to the bettery I heard what sounded like a solenoid engageing. Since it's working just fine now, I think I'll leave well enough alone until it happens again. Then go directly to the solenoid. Thanks