Troubleshooting Starting Issue?

[LeakyBriggs]

Here's a dumb question: How do you disconnect the wiring harness from the foot pedal switch for testing?
I've disconnected various harnesses from various things & usually there's a clip you push down or pull up. Then wiggle and slide off.
This is on here pretty tight and I don't seem to see a clip to hold it.

Just don't want to unnecessarily break anything.

Thanks.

 

[LeakyBriggs]

View attachment 67171
Colors just test points for continuity.

Using this diagram. The switch tests to have continuity where it should in the positions noted.

Other VOLTAGE tests I performed if it helps is to test the harness this attaches too in the following manner.
-Black Lead of the multimeter connected at the negative of the battery.
-Red Lead used to touch each connection point in the wiring harness.
-All points read 0.00 on the multimeter

Turn key to ON position
-Black Lead of the multimeter connected at the negative of the battery.
-Red Lead used to touch each connection point in the wiring harness.
-12.4 Volts found at position A of the wiring harness of the outside connection. It is yellow in the diagram above on the left. (Down Position)
-All other points read 0.00 on the multimeter.
(Remember though, I'm testing the wiring harness. Not the PTO switch above. Just using that diagram to indicate location on the harness.)

Turn key to START position and hold there
-Black Lead of the multimeter connected at the negative of the battery.
-Red Lead used to touch each connection point in the wiring harness.
-12.4 Volts found at position C of the wiring harness of the outside connection. It is white in the diagram above on the right. (Up Position)
-All other points read 0.00 on the multimeter.
(Again, I'm testing the wiring harness. Not the PTO switch above. Just using that diagram to indicate location on the harness.)

 

[LeakyBriggs]

I should have noted in the tests above that there was no one in the seat and the seat switch has always worked as designed fyi.
I got the foot switch wiring harness loose. The clasp is on the bottom on this one if anyone needs to know. And the switch is gray/white AND black plastic. The mistake I made was thinking the black part on the SWITCH was part of the harness. It's not. At least not on this one.
I'll try to attach a few pictures related to the footswitch.
One with a multimeter test lead showing the blade connections I have continuity with on the left if facing the blades.
One with a multimeter test lead showing the blade connections I have continuity with on the right if facing the blades.
One showing the connection point of the wiring harness.
And finally, one showing the blade on the wiring harness that I have 12.4 Volts at when switching the key to start.
-Black test lead on the negative battery cable during this test.
-No one in the seat.
-All other wiring harness connections here register low to no voltage regardless of key position.

Tell us anything? What to test next? Same problem persists.

Thanks,

Leaky.

 

[LeakyBriggs]

I jumpered the foot switch wiring harness from the point that has voltage to the one above it.

That's the way the foot switch seems to operate. When pushed in there is continuity between those terminal posts on the switch.

No change in problem. Still no start. Just an update.

Thanks.

 

[LeakyBriggs]

Ok, as I ignorantly chase my tail back and forth....lol....

I pulled the solenoid. 4 point/post solenoid.
I put 12 Volts across the blades and it clicks solidly every time.
Put a meter on continuity on the screw terminals and it rings for continuity when I charge the solenoid at the blades.

Put it back on the mower.
Battery good.
Connections cleaned and triple checked.
12 Volts confirmed from battery to solenoid.
12 Volts confirmed to the starter side blade when turning the key to start with the clutch pedal pushed in.
However, turning the key with the clutch pedal pushed in and voltage confirmed at the starter side blade....
there is no voltage to the starter wire connection of the solenoid.

Any ideas what that tells us?

Thanks,

Leaky.

 

[LeakyBriggs]

Well, well, well....ya'll didn't think I was one of those that got a little information and disappeared without a conclusion did ya'?

I got fed up with this mower and shoved it in the shed, put a tarp on it, and waited for warmer weather. Spring has come and I started going through things again.

Long story short, I found the footswitch has an intermittent break in it. A smallish "Sweet Spot" where it starts and operates as it should.

Still leaks oil though.