WHEELHORSE 520; WIRING TROUBLESHOOTING / ISSUES

In this video I work on my 520-H Wheelhorse lawn and garden tractor. It has a whole slew of problems. The majority of the video is spent on troubleshooting wiring issues. The tractor had damaged wiring and for several years could only be operated with jumper wires.
It first started late 90's to early 2000's the starting circuit stopped working. To start the tractor it had to be manually energize at the solenoid on the starter. Then the key on ignition stopped functioning. Following along as I step through the starting circuit.
The same process could be applied to other Wheelhorse tractors. I am not an expert in any subject matter, but can logically work through most things. Wiring sometimes evades me....
The video was starting to get too long and the tires did not arrive yet. I will include the motion lever linkage repair and general assembly overview with the tire replacement video.
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[@peterj2890]

Probably one of the best Wheel Horse videos I have come across! Having WH tractors since 1984 they aren’t too complicated until you get to the 520H wiring. Restored a 520H earlier this year and wiring was mostly intact. Sold to new owner who was going to use it for Shows. Last week bought a ‘96 520H and the wiring harness is there but safety switches have been bypassed and additional wires added with some just twisted together. Owner could not get it running so bought it for $150 with 60” deck. Have color coded wiring diagram but could quite figure how to get to relays without pulling engine. Your video was a tremendous help. Great job with taking the time to explain everything in detail. Kudos to you! Thanks….😊

[@FlatThunder]

Thanks! I am glad my video was helpful. Sometimes I get a little too detailed on my explanations, but it looks like this one was helpful! I still use the same 520 to mow and snow plow. Great deal on the one you found..... Thanks for watching and sharing! 👍😁

[@saltykyle5603]

I've started an attempt at reviving a 520h. It's rough around the edges but hours meter reads less than 300. I tried to start it today and it was not engaging the starter. Turns out the same fuse on mine was melted. I dug out what was left of the melted fuse and popped a new one in. The connector in the fuse board was also at an angle on mine, so I bent the fin on the fuse to fit. Bam. It now turns over. Fuel system needs work, but this video helped me alot today. Thank you!

[@FlatThunder]

Excellent! I am glad I could help out. Keep an eye on the fuse block. A poor connection can cause them to heat up. I believe it is a common occurrence. If it continues to give you trouble try switching it out for an inline replacement fuse holder. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@loganholmes]

I had a no crank issue, changed out that fuse cause mine was corroded and bam. started cranking. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video!

[@FlatThunder]

Excellent! Keep an eye on the fuse. Dirty / lose connections can cause it to heat up and melt. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@loganholmes]

@@FlatThunder yup mine was very loose but luckily wasn't melted. Ended up taking apart the fuse box and squishing the metal pins together and now the fuse holds in there super tight! Thanks again!

[@jrblanke]

Thanks for the video. Mine stopped working a few years ago and has been sitting in my driveway with a tarp over it ever since. Might get out there this weekend and mess with it.

[@FlatThunder]

I am happy my video peaked your interest in working on her again. They are great little machines! Thanks for watching and happy Wheel horsing 👍😁

[@adanvaldcontreras4283]

Thanks for this video ...just got a 520.. with similar issues.. now I know where to start 👍🤘

[@FlatThunder]

I think you will be really happy with it. They are great little tractors! Thanks for watching 👍😁

[@malcolmcummens2598]

Thank you so much for a great video! This will help me a great deal in fixing my 520H.

[@FlatThunder]

I have a few more videos on 520's check them out! They could be helpful in getting your tractor back in action. They are powerful machines. Thanks for watching 👍😁

[@sinabagherisarvestani8924]

@@FlatThunder hi man I want to change the fuse block , the entire fuse box , is it easy or do I have to take the whole thing apart ?

[@FlatThunder]

@@sinabagherisarvestani8924 I haven't tried it, but I think you can access it by taking the battery out. The wires might be a little short to work with. I think I will replace the one that was giving me troubles on mine in the future. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@CraigArndt]

Get a Toro Wheel Horse 520H demystifying guide. It will help you with the wiring and location of things.

[@FlatThunder]

I found the eight page guide, on red square forum, after I tinkered around with it for awhile. It looks much better than the old images I printed off a Google search. I didn't know it was called the 'demystifying guide' until now. Great reference! Thank you for sharing and thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@ThebadMAN747]

Bad design... Grass gets in and heats up terminal! Been there done that! Good video!

[@FlatThunder]

Thanks! Yes, I think the design could be improved upon. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@scottcalvert7984]

I had a similar problem with a Kubota diesel tractor. The inline fuse holder was intermittent.

[@FlatThunder]

It's the inconsistent problems that are difficult to diagnose. First it has a good connection, but loses it under load.... Tricky. Happy you got the Kubota fixed. I like their tractors and equipment. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@RickSmithIHS]

If high voltage, 17 or 18 vdc, blows fuse...remove the regulator from the chassis and clean the reg / chassis area of rust or paint to re-establish a good chassis ground.

[@FlatThunder]

Good idea! I believe I cleaned the connections at the regulator and the grounds. I can't remember if I removed it completely or not. Thanks for watching 👍😁

[@williamwhitehead8362]

I would have one of these lawnmowers and I can't get any spark out of it is there a way to troubleshoot the ignition or better better question is can you buy the electronica module for this onan engine?

[@FlatThunder]

Put a hot jumper directly from the positive side of the battery to the primary side of the coil. If it starts it is a wiring related issue. If it still does not have spark it is a coil or ignition module fault. Thanks for watching 👍😁

[@bobRissman]

you have help me solve the problem

[@FlatThunder]

Awesome! Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@merica5841]

Hey my 520h wheelhorse has a problem when i turn the key to the “Run” position the starter engages automatically and when it starts it doesn’t shut off the starter keeping it running?

[@FlatThunder]

If you didn't recently change or adjust anything, the ignition wire is shorting to the starter solenoid feed. Disconnect the small wire at the starter solenoid, I think it's blue, and trace the short. The easiest way to repair it is to disconnect the old wire and route a new one to the ignition start terminal at the key switch. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@merica5841]

@@FlatThunder Thank you i will try that and see if that works

[@sinabagherisarvestani8924]

hi man I want to change the fuse block , the entire fuse box , is it easy or do I have to take the whole thing apart ?

[@FlatThunder]

Weird I thought I already responded, but must have fat fingered the buttons. I think you can replace the block by removing the battery. The wires will be a little short to work with. I plan on replacing the troublesome fuse on mine in the future. Thanks for watching! 👍😁

[@sinabagherisarvestani8924]

@@FlatThunder ok man thanks for the video

[@juancarlosramirez9183]

Buenas noches Requiero conseguir kit de ignicion. Cuanto cuesta puesto en coolmbia ? Gracias

[@FlatThunder]

Hola! I am guessing installation would $200-$300 USD for labor. The parts were around $150 USD when I purchased them in 2019. Ballpark guess $350-$450 total from a reputable place. This is for a new ignition pickup / trigger installation. Thanks for watching! 👍 :)

[@docwatt8881]

Where did you get parts I cannot find them anywhere

[@FlatThunder]

Which parts?

[@mikep.coplin6800]

What about the low oil shut off switch, it will not start with low oil level, to save your engine. ?

[@FlatThunder]

To be honest, I never looked into a low oil switch on this unit. I think it only has a low oil pressure dummy light, but it's been a while since I looked at the diagram.

[@mikep.coplin6800]

My wheel horse 212-6 has one.