craftsman zts 6000 wont start

[jgordy]

Mower started up good at begining of season but now just clicks. The solenoid looks good when i test it with multimeter. Thought it was the starter so i put a new one in and still nothing. Battery is good i had it tested. Any help would be great

 

[txzrider]

have you checked all your interlocks? does it just click or nothing?

 

[jgordy]

yes it clicks, its in park and both arms are in nuetral

 

[jgordy]

also when key is in off position and i put screwdriver across solenoid posts i can hear the starter turn

 

[Lawnranger]

There are either three or four wires connected to the solenoid. The two larger wires are the high-current side of the solenoid and one of the two connects the battery to the solenoid and the other connects the solenoid to the starter. If the solenoid is a four wire the other two smaller wires are a ground wire and the other is power from the ignition switch. Use a test light connected to the NEGATIVE side of the battery and hold it on one of the small wire connections on the solenoid while holding the key in the start position - you may need an assistant to hold the key to override the seat safety switch. If the light does not glow try the other small wire on the solenoid and repeat the above procedure. If the light still does not glow you have a problem in the ignition control circuit and most likely one of the safety switches or the ignition switch is malfunctioning and not completing the circuit. It could also be the wires from the switch so check those, too. If however the light does glow on one of the small wires then check the other small wire to make sure it is grounded by connecting your test light to the POSITIVE side of the battery while touching that wire and the light should glow if the ground is good.

If you have a three wire solenoid the solenoid is grounded by the body of the solenoid and the only small wire is the ignition control circuit from the ignition switch. Can't say for sure what is bad until you do the above tests and report back with your findings.

 

[jgordy]

ok i tried both of the other smaller wires and both of them are good

 

[Lawnranger]

ok i tried both of the other smaller wires and both of them are good

If, when you say "good" that you mean you have a good ground circuit on one wire and power when the key is turned to the start position on the other wire then the solenoid is bad. It may click and that tells you that the low current side of the solenoid (smaller wires) is doing its job by mechanically pulling the contacts together for the high current side but the contacts on the high current side are not making an electrical connection. They touch physically but not electrically, if this make sense. Try a new solenoid and then tell us what happens. You can even disassemble the old solenoid and look at the contacts to see if they are burned. Please make sure to tell us what ultimately fixes your mower.

 

[jgordy]

Yes i have a good ground on one and on the other i have power when the key is turned. So you believe the solenoid is bad then?

 

[Lawnranger]

Yes i have a good ground on one and on the other i have power when the key is turned. So you believe the solenoid is bad then?

Yep, sounds like a bad solenoid. Most auto parts stores have a section for small engine and lawn equipment parts, small as it is, but they usually have solenoids for lawn tractors for around $10.00 -12.00. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, remove your solenoid, take it with you to the parts store and match it up to a new one, install it and start your engine. Then come back and tell us what ultimately fixed your mower.

 

[jgordy]

ok i installed new solenoid and i dont get clicking sound anymore and i dont have power on larger post when i try starting it