My Cub Cadet Ultima ZT1-ZT2 zero turn will not start (Try this first)

[@johnkarlhill]

Got up to close the gate and my ZT1 died and would not restart. Was sure an expensive repair was on the way. Watched your video and never thought to look at the safety switches. Took a look, one of my safety switches was loose, turned, and wouldn't engage. Turned it back and mower started up just fine. Thanks for saving me a repair!

[@DIYJIM]

Awesome glad I saved you some $$$

[@jeanr4641]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! This video was an immense help! My mower is brand new and I had a hard time starting it just getting it off the trailer!! I tried again today and was giving me all sorts of issues (clearly I was the issue). I had the choke open all the way and tried starting it but no good. Turns out I flooded it like you suggested!! I didn't have the throttle all the way up when starting too, left it alone for a bit, throttle all the way up, choke slightly open, it started right up!!!!!!! Thank you!!! Very useful video, I ended up watching the whole video for the education! Great work!!!

[@DIYJIM]

glad my video helped you. thanks for watching

[@JeanetteMcMyler-ds5wl]

Thanks for helping me. Handles out, choke out, blade control in. I should write it down!

[@DIYJIM]

glad to help thanks for watching

[@dadduorp]

Gotta’ tell you man, this has been THE most helpful video on the CC I’ve seen anywhere since buying my ZT2 back in 2020! So at this moment, I’m in the shed trying to fire it up after a cold winter here in the rural PacNW-but I still can’t start it despite going through your tips. The only thing I can think of is that the battery is reading 9.72 which may not be enough to kick over.

[@DIYJIM]

Sounds like you need to jump it or charge your battery. Glad I could help thanks for leaving a comment, and thanks for subscribing if you did.

[@Shano84Mac]

Finally someone on KZbin whom actually gives real advice for these. What if my Mower starts up for 10 seconds or less and keeps stopping by itself. Mines brand new and just won't stay on long. I've done all your steps but she just idles a bit and then shuts off?

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry I’m not sure

[@waylonmccrae3546]

Bad fuel pump , water in the gas, faulty carb solenoid, coil pack failing etc. ??

[@Shano84Mac]

@waylonmccrae3546 I've drained everything to be fresh because it's unpredictable what the factory did or how long it sat around in the warehouse, last thing I gotta do is a full oil change and new oil filter. To make sure I'm the one that put everything in. Thanks for your advice though, appreciate it.

[@waylonmccrae3546]

@@Shano84Mac Once it dies , how long before it will start up again ?? I'm guessing fuel issue , main jet clogged with trash in carb, fuel solenoid switch plunger stuck closed , have you pulled the bowl off carb ??

[@Shano84Mac]

@DIYJIM Some help you all are then 🙄 I'm not even an engine mechanic but because my background as a Computer Mechanic, I fixed it, no thanks to Ya'll " Engine Pros" 😚

[@Kazzidy]

Glad I watched the whole video, I thought I added too much fuel but engaged blades were the issue. Thanks sir 🫡

[@DIYJIM]

Very welcome

[@loriceasor220]

Thank you, thank you! The handle wasn’t all the way open was leaning against something!! Saved me lots of money!

[@DIYJIM]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@robinrichards6444]

I Have ACADET. ZTI 42 AND IT FLOODS AND WONT START I'M LETTING IT SIT FOR A WHILE BUT WATCHING YOUR VIDEO WAS SO ENCOURAGEING YOU'RE AWESOME THANKS. I'M LETTING IT SIT TO EVAPORATE THE FLOODING.😊

[@robinrichards6444]

Need you MAN!!!

[@DIYJIM]

Hope you got it started

[@hectori.morales6858]

I have aCub Cadet 42" machine and the previous owner told me that those machines all turned on as if the battery was low. I recently bought a battery and it turned on quickly the first time and then started slowly. Do you think there is a problem with the wiring?

[@tambaybucs1]

Great video! The safety switches are a problem. Thanks for the video

[@DIYJIM]

You bet, thanks for watching

[@richardnorris2125]

Thank You For All Demonstrations! Made Finding The Problem A Piece of Cake!!

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome, thanks for watching

[@tkdchet]

Thank you for quick and concise videos on this mower.

[@DIYJIM]

You are welcome!

[@georgemyles5358]

Great video JIm, thanks. I have a Club Cadet ZT2 54inch model. Is there a gas shutoff valve? My garage has a gasoline smell after I use the mower. I'm 75 and its hard for me to get low enough to look for a leak or a shutoff valve. Any suggestions?

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry I do not think there is a gas shut off

[@dumdiversaspapalbull1452]

I guess it was them dern neutral safety switches. I cycled them and it started turning over. It’s brand new. First crank and I’m already on KZbin trying to make it go.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad you got it figured out, thanks for watching

[@mdb5464]

Super helpful video, thanks for posting. Very detailed and easy to follow

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome thanks for watching

[@spotliterrr]

I started my ZTRII yesterday. Aired up a tire then parked it. Mowed a strip before it told me it needed gas. This morning I gassed it and , no start. Double checked the steer handles checked the battery, ok, how do I check the electric clutch safety switch?

[@vkorthuis]

I just uncrated a Cub Cadet, no start with just hearing one click on key turn. After hours of troubleshooting it appeared there was 12V on both side of solenoid when key was on (ground to measure with light tester poking all over sensors ect). Same 12V when key in start position, but hear the solenoid click. When Key was off, then only 12V on high side of solenoid. Well... after more troubleshooting, noticed that the whole engine block was at 12V when key was turned to on position as well as start position. Found that the engine is mounted on a painted (insulator) frame (ground). The engine mount bolts are "supposed" to ground the engine but these bolts go through the frame... if your lucky they touch the frame. After putting in a ground wire under the engine mount bolt and other end to frame bolt... ta da... Starts, with no issues.

[@DIYJIM]

Awesome glad you got it figured out. Sorry my video did not help you. Maybe this comment will help others.

[@joserijos611]

Si aquí está

[@gordon-1]

What happened to the ZT2? I cannot find it at all on the Cub Cadet website. There is one on-line store in Texas who claims to be selling the ZT2-42 for $1500 free shipping (29 in stock), but I do not know if they are legit. Also, what are your thoughts on Kohler vs. Kawasaki?

[@kikatorres7636]

Thank you so much for this video!!!

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Regarding LOW OIL won’t start. Well, December 1 2023 brand new ultimate ZTS52. Ran it three time just fine. Went out today middle April 2024 and it would crank over but not start. Then nothing. After watching your video I went back out and on my tiny LED display it says LO OIL 8 32. Checked oil and it’s full. Battery is working , I have plenty oil. Frustrated. Also on this model it is VERY DIFFICULT model to disengage brake lever / engage lever into correct position so that this machine will start up

[@sociopathmercenary]

New battery... Won't turn over at all. I figure it's either the safety switches for the arms or a bad starter

[@spartanbushido7309]

Outstanding video, thank you

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks and thanks for watching

[@youwillknowrlc68]

Cub Cadet ZT1 54 How in the world can you get that bottom bolt off to remove just the bowl without removing carburetor? A standard wrench is to thick and the super thin wrenches just strip flat sides Frustrated🤨

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry I never removed hope you get it figured out

[@ekrisb]

You were a life saver! Thanks!

[@DIYJIM]

You're welcome!

[@aandd10]

Excellent video .. thanks a million

[@DIYJIM]

You are welcome!

[@Frank-Biddle]

Very helpful.

[@DIYJIM]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Bigeh1x]

Thanks brother, we’ll give it a try

[@DIYJIM]

thanks for watching

[@alexjames1945]

i have one that i think is getting too much fuel, when i drain the bowl and disconnect the line it runs great until i re-connect the fuel line then it dies... any ideas why it dies?

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry I’m not sure hope you get it figured out.

[@mypointofblue5260]

Thanks, this was helpful!

[@DIYJIM]

No problem! Thanks for watching

[@abbeylangman9467]

After noticing blades rubbing on deck I adjusted them. Now, my PTO won’t engage blades. It runs and drives ok.

[@DIYJIM]

Maybe your blades are the wrong size.

[@ndskreet]

Fast position WORKS! Thanks 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@DIYJIM]

Awesome glad my video helped you. Thanks for watching

[@amyanntucker5663]

How do you tighten the safety buttons if they are not connecting all the way

[@DIYJIM]

Not really sure what you are talking about. Maybe there is dirt in the connection.

[@mistrp13331]

Thx for tips👍

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@demonaardvark6326]

Wait, these things have chokes? Mine has an insert where the choke is suppose to be.

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@jjwolfe5315]

I got one of these mowers . Put a solenoid on it fired up then when i turned it off it wouldnt turn over

[@DIYJIM]

Hope you get it figured out. Thanks for watching

[@classiccrypto]

The battery I got stock in my 2022 is way to small or its got a dead cell but it looks like they planned a way bigger battery. 2 weeks after I bought it new it started acting like the starter was failing.

[@DIYJIM]

Hope you got it figured out.

[@CHarris73]

I have an issue, each time I engage my PTO on my cubby zt1 ultima it shuts down the mower instantly.

[@DIYJIM]

Sorry not sure, if you get it figured out let me know what it was.

[@parthsharma2795]

MY BATTERY READING 12.3 IS THAT GOOD?

[@DIYJIM]

I would think you should be Ok. Can always take it to an auto parts store and have them check it.

[@armydan72382]

I've replaced battery, solenoid, safety switches and still won't start. No click what could be the issue?

[@DIYJIM]

You definitely have your blades turned off and then park? Could mice chewed any wires?

[@strongnow111]

Thanks man

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome

[@Shano84Mac]

Man, most of you guys never provide extensive details on other problems unless you've gone through them 🙄

[@DIYJIM]

thanks for watching

[@lrcreamer]

I had a cub cadet..sold it after a year their is a reason they paint them yellow-Lemon

[@photoboy1986]

yup I had a burnt fuse but even after replacing it, nothing! Fricken thing has mowed my yard once!

[@DIYJIM]

Hope you can find someone to help you, Thanks for watching

[@gavinelliot3564]

You have a short some where/tighten all electrical

[@MarkGuzman-uy7dv]

Mine turns on but when I try to drive or turn on blades it’s cuts off ..

[@DIYJIM]

You might have to have someone look at it.

[@juliussims669]

The main problem is your not going to get a battery that size and the one you get will not hold a charge

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@scottd345]

"Make sure you have fuel" LOL, I've done it. Check the obvious first

[@DIYJIM]

Thanks for watching

[@pappynotoes8531]

Mmmm... It ain't got not gas in it. 😂😂

[@musicguy9101]

Mine is turning but it won't start up.

[@DIYJIM]

Could be the carburetor if you do not put any stabilizer in the fuel when you put it away for storage for winter.

[@chipmidges3122]

this mower sucks. 15k+ and starting issues 6 months after purchase.

[@DIYJIM]

I would be upset also hope you get it figured out.

[@photoboy1986]

seems like the starting solenoid is bad, when you hook the battery up the engine turns over then turning the key to run keeps the engine running, then turning off the key shuts the engine down then if you immediately hook the battery up the starter keeps running after the engine is off

[@DIYJIM]

Hope you got it figured out, Thanks for watching

[@photoboy1986]

@@DIYJIM yup, they had wired the solenoid backwards from the factory.

[@DIYJIM]

@@photoboy1986 crazy glad you figured it out

[@SkipHarris-f6i]

My mower dont crank

[@DIYJIM]

Hope you get it figured out

[@changename1997]

Tu

[@DIYJIM]

Welcome