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A friend was moving and gave me her old Murray 14hp rider that has been sitting for a LONG time. They said it was running when they parked it but it was throwing belts. Before I can address they belt issue I need to get it running. There is no response at the key with a new battery. I am mechanically inclined but not a small engine mechanic and I can't afford to get it repaired so I have to do it myself. (and it is something every guy should know how to do, right?) I replaced the fuse with a new one but no response. Where should I start? Negative comments wont be much help so please don't.

Hi and Welcome to the LMF! First thing I would do is clean the carb good and
get some clean gas in it, making sure the entire fuel system is clean. I've seen
spiders, bugs and leaves, grass, everything but a mouse in the gas tanks over
the years...so don't rule that out! :laughing: At any rate the switch may be
corroded and still may be good, so clean the terminals on it. Have you tried
cranking it over with the hot jumper wire on the starter terminal, and the ground
used to crank it over by touching it to the frame? With the key OFF you can at
least tell if it will crank over. Do the carb first and switch , then we'll go from
there. Throwing belts could be anything from a pulley out of line, to no belt guards
on the pulleys, to stetched belts, etc. Good Luck! Where in TN? Knoxville here. :thumbsup:

Welcome to the Forum!
I would make sure all connections are tight and clean, also check for any damaged wiring. If all is good then check voltage to ignition switch. This is a start

As per Daves comments,
Before you start, pull off the engine cover and check the "Rodent Hilton" space between the cover & engine.
Dead mice are a lot earier to remove than baked on mice.
Check the thin wire from the coil for any bare patches.
Next get a pair of good jumper leads, confirm you have a good earth.
Then jump to the starter motor to confirm it.
Jump to the starter solenoid to confirm it..
All OK then jump from the S terminal on the back of the ignition switch to the small terminal on the solenoid.
Good ?
Then follow the wire connected to the S terminal on the ignition switch back through the mower, it will go through 2 to 4 switches and one of them has corroded and is not making contact.

richard715 said:

A friend was moving and gave me her old Murray 14hp rider that has been sitting for a LONG time. They said it was running when they parked it but it was throwing belts. Before I can address they belt issue I need to get it running. There is no response at the key with a new battery. I am mechanically inclined but not a small engine mechanic and I can't afford to get it repaired so I have to do it myself. (and it is something every guy should know how to do, right?) I replaced the fuse with a new one but no response. Where should I start? Negative comments wont be much help so please don't.

Click to expand...

Satisfy all safety requirements...or it will do nothing

Operator sitting in seat
In neutral
Blade disengaged
Clutch/brake engaged

Those are the possible ones I can think of. Down load an owner's manual and see which ones it has.

Welcome,

Walt Conner

richard715 said:

A friend was moving and gave me her old Murray 14hp rider that has been sitting for a LONG time.
[...]
Where should I start? Negative comments wont be much help so please don't.

Click to expand...

HEH... you HAVE been around...! :wink:

Certainly enough posted responses to keep you busy so I will only bother you
when the engine fires up for ya.
Meantime, welcome an' trust LMF is kind for you.

Welcome to the Forum richard715 :welcome: