This is with an Ariens 42" hydro tractor, model 936042. I only get a click from the fuel solenoid on the carburetor. Using a voltmeter, I checked the voltage at the energizing wire at the starter solenoid, and I get 9 volts. I get 12.47 volts at the battery and the battery post on the starter solenoid. If I test the voltage on the starter post on the solenoid, I only get 1.6 volts. But here's the real puzzler. I get a very weak spark when I try to jump the 2 posts on the starter solenoid. Nothing at all from the starter itself.
Even if the starter solenoid is faulty, shouldn't there be something from the starter when the 2 posts are jumped?
One thing that it did when I last used it was, when I shut it off, it sputtered instead of shutting down, like it didn't want to shut off.
Also, I was doing the tests with the voltmeter with the clutch/brake pedal depressed and the parking brake on.
Thanks much!