Toro riding mower 56170 11 hp B&S

bruce728

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Hello all. I am new to the forum, and I hope someone can help me out. i have an older toro 56170 11 hp riding mower. The engin starts and runs perfectly, in fact, i just rebuilt the carbs. my problem is that when I engage the blade or gears in shuts down. i have talked to a lot of people, and have eliminated a carb problem (rebuilt it). Many peole say it could be the seat safty switch. I disconnected it and i still have the proble. Any suggestions? Another safty switch? Solenoid?
 
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ILENGINE

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Some of the seat switch wiring harnesses have an internal shorting clip that makes it act like nobody is on the seat if disconnected. If you look down into the plug, there may be a white plastic piece between the clips, that will push down with a screwdriver. So you could have a seat switch problem. some other riders require 12v through the switch to activate a relay to keep it running when you are on the seat. Could be the seat switch, or a relay.
 

Rivets

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If you just disconnected it and didn't jump across the two terminals, all you did is unplug it, not remove it from the circuit. On that Toro you must jump the terminals.
 

bruce728

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I am trouble shooting the day lights out of this thing. I think it is going to be the seat switch. But, I am not sure if it might be the module that goes into the selenoid. There is no juice coming out of it, and I cannot get my tester to light when I test the seat swiitch or the safty switch that is on the blade engaing handle.

Any thoughts about my train of thought?
 

Rivets

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Maybe this procedure will help. You must jump the seat switch to eliminate it from the circuit. I don't believe that your unit has a module, but haven't had time to do the research..



Electrical* problems can be very easy or very difficult, depending on four things.
1. * How well you understand basic electricity.
2. *What tools you have and know how to use.
3. *How well you follow directions.
4. *You don't overlook or assume anything and verify everything.

Remember we cannot see what you are doing. *You are our eyes, ears and fingers in solving this problem. *You must be as accurate as you can when you report back. *The two basic tools we will ask you to use are a test light and a multi-meter. *If you have an assistant when going through these tests it would be very helpful. *These steps work the best when done in order, so please don't jump around. *Now let's solve this problem.

First, check the fuse(s), check battery connections for corrosion (clean if necessary) and *voltage - above 12.5 volts should be good.*

Second, check for power from the battery to one of the large terminals on the solenoid. *One of the wires is connected directly to the battery and has power all the time so one of the large terminals should light a test light or show 12 volts on a meter at all times.*

Third, *check for power at the small terminal of the solenoid while depressing the clutch/brake pedal and holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch). If your solenoid is a four wire solenoid, check both small wire terminals as one is ground and the other is power from the ignition switch. *If your solenoid is a three wire solenoid, make sure the solenoid body is not corroded where it bolts to the chassis of the mower as this is your ground path back to the battery. *If in doubt, remove the solenoid and clean the mounting area down to bare metal. *If there is no power to the small terminal then your problem is most likely a safety switch, ignition switch or in the wiring.*

Fourth, check for power on the other large terminal of the solenoid while holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch). *If you have power what is the voltage?

Fifth, check for power at the starter while holding the key in the start position (assistant again). *If you have power what is the voltage?

Sixth, check your ground circuit back to the battery.

After you have gone through each of the above steps, let us know what happened when you did each step. *At that point we will have great info to tell you how to proceed. *Remember you are our eyes, ears, and fingers, so please be as accurate as possible.

Be as specific as possible with voltage readings as this will help diagnose your problem quicker. *If you do not know how to perform the above checks, just ask and I will try to guide you through it. *Youtube also has some videos and as you know a picture is worth a thousand words.
 

bruce728

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I am not sure what you all did, but you are obviously you are brilliant! I was starting to do the 6 checks that were suggested, and I just fooled around and wiggeled some wires, and off she went. I am back in business!
 
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