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
#2
txzrider
have you checked all your interlocks? does it just click or nothing?
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.
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.
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.
Sounds like something has changed since you removed the old solenoid. Did you check the fuse? Sometimes when working on the electrical system a short circuit is created and will pop the fuse. Make sure all connections are clean and tight. Re-perform the diagnostic check on the two smaller wires to make sure the key switch is providing power to the solenoid and that all the safety switches are working. Check the small ground wire on the solenoid to make sure it didn't loose its ground. The large wire from the battery to the solenoid should have power all the time so check that with your test light or volt meter to make sure power is getting to the solenoid. The fact that it is no longer clicking when you turn the key points to the ignition control side of the system (the smaller wires). And here's bonus for you - just because the part is new doesn't mean it's good. I can remember on more than several occasions that I got a defective new part right out of the box - it's rare but it does happen. Did you disconnect the negative battery before you removed the solenoid? Did you remember to re-connect the negative battery cable? We can't overlook anything here so make sure everything is connected properly and come back and tell me what happened when you tested the new solenoid. Check the battery voltage while you are at it. We will get it fixed.
Having more problems this year guys. Checked the battery and they said its a good battery. I have the battery on a tender. Changed the spark plug. It turns over but wont start and to me it seems like it should be trying to start faster it seems slow to me. Thanks for the help
new year different problem. Mowed the grass two times this year no problems at all. Today go to mow start up fine no problems but when i pull the knob to engage the blades nothing. The last time it seemed a little sloppy but would run. Any idea on what to do i know the connections are tight. Thanks again
