Cub 1250 keyswitch fried

[Grant Laughrey]

I have a 1975 CC 1250, 12hp Kohler. Went to move it yesterday and it sputtered and died after moving 30 feet. Went to restart it and as soon as I hit the key it smoked the keyswitch. One of the terminals liquified and fell off the switch. It's the big green wire that goes to the ammeter in the dash. Does anybody have an idea what the heck happened here? I ordered a new keyswitch but it wasn't cheap and I don't want to smoke another one right off. I looked around and I don't see and bad wires or grounded spots. I appreciate any help, thanks

 

[dschwandt]

Simple....Corroded terminals and or a bad short
Corrosion equals resistance which in turn equals heat that results in melted plastic and insulation.
Sounds like it's time for a new switch and harness repairs or replacement..
You said the switch was expensive, are you sure you got the correct switch??
Where did you get it?
IH-61524-C2

 

[Grant Laughrey]

I got an IH replacement from Messick farm supply. It was $36 something. I looked over the harness and charging system and can't find any issues. Hopefully just the new keyswitch will be the fix

 

[digger]

I got an IH replacement from Messick farm supply. It was $36 something. I looked over the harness and charging system and can't find any issues. Hopefully just the new keyswitch will be the fix

I guess I better raise my prices. ;-P

 

[Greg Riutzel]

This must come in 3s. You're the 3rd one in the last month with switch issues. I'm going through mine, gotta one com'in, and one other member has found heat damage on his. Fortunately my wire ends cleaned up nice. Being in the battery charging circuit, it doesn't take much for the steel terminals to oxidized and cause a problem down the road; but it's all there is with the right pin out for now.