If your riding lawn mower keeps blowing fuses, then that’s a good indication that there’s a direct short in the wiring. Rather than continually replacing fuses, let’s fix the problem.
Depending on era of you machine, it might have a lot of electronics or a little. Either way, there’s opportunity for the wiring to short to ground when not intended.
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In order for a circuit to be complete, power has to come from the battery and return to ground. If that circuit gets interrupted and grounds prematurely, things don’t function as intended.
Moreover, this can and will cause a blown fuse. That’s exactly how they are meant to function. They’re designed to blow, as a sacrificial part to protect more costly components.
How to Diagnose a Riding Lawn Mower that Keeps Blowing Fuses
Other than a fuse that keeps blowing? Look for a dead draw on the battery.
It’s helpful to have an electrical diagram with you for your machine. If you know what circuit the fuse powers, then you can isolate those components for testing.
You’ll need to isolate the branches of the electrical harness by testing for voltage on that circuit.
For instance, on the ignition circuit, with the key off test for voltage across the fuse holder. If there is, then you know that the short is in the power cable to the ignition.
Obviously, this depends on which fuse has blown and what branch of the harness it feeds. That’s why it is imperative to have a wiring schematic to diagnose.
How to Repair a Riding Lawn Mower that Keeps Blowing Fuses
Once you’ve been able to isolate the component or branch of the electrical harness that is blowing fuses, do a visual inspection.
Often, you’ll be able to find frayed or damaged wiring that will confirm the damage.
If the wiring has been damaged, simply cut and re-splice the damaged wiring. If it is a faulty component that is causing the blown fuses, replace the component.
Recap
Fixing a riding lawn mower that keeps blowing fuses is not difficult, but it is time consuming. Sometimes it can be challenging to isolate the different electrical branches. An electrical diagram is extremely helpful to aid you in this diagnosis.
Now that you know how to look for and repair a direct short in the wiring harness, let me know if there’s something I forgot to mention.
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