Trouble starting Craftsman riding mower

[fromabuick8]

Hello Everyone,

I have a Craftsman 917.273080 riding mower that I'm having trouble with. When I turn the key, I get NOTHING. No clicking, no sound at all. Battery is brand new and testing at 12V.

• I have tested the seat switch. Tests OK
• Interlock switch tests OK and IS being pressed in fully by the metal plate
• Mower WILL start (on the first try) if I touch both points of the solenoid with a screwdriver
• However, mower will die out if I pull the PTO switch or let off the clutch/brake pedal
• PTO switch, ignition switch, and carburetor are all brand new

I talked to a buddy and he suspects the seat switch even though I tested and it has continuity when I press the seat in. Do these go "bad" somehow even though they're testing good? Am I overlooking something? I cleaned the seat switch and interlock switch contacts and harnesses with contact cleaner.

Funny this is, after I started it with the solenoid screwdriver method, it actually started with the key twice after that. Then it went back to nothing the next day.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Start by downloading the owners manual for your mower.
On page 37 is the circuit diagram
When you have this information get back & some one here will walk you through the testing proceedure.
Note there is a relay in this system that people oft overlook and it oft goes bad.