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I have a Walker with the 13 HP Kawasaki engine. Sometimes over the past year it would not start first try but eventually started. Now it won't start at all, I can hear the solenoid engaging when I turn the key, but the starter doesn't turn. I changed the battery to a new one and now I get nothing at all not even the solenoid! Any ideas? Looking at the schematic for the wiring it is really simple, there is one 20 amp fuse and I replaced it even though it looked okay, but still nothing.

Disconnect the spark plug & bypass (jump) the solenoid by applying voltage directly from the battery. It won't hurt and it will tell you if your solenoid is bad.

You might first want to check if the engine turns over by hand to insure that it has not seized.

This might help.



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).*

Fifth, check for power at the starter while holding the key in the start position (assistant again).*

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.

Check the 12v relay that's under the console that houses the ignition switch

Thanks everyone, I will give these a try Saturday and report back on the results, hopefully after mowing the yard!

RedComet said:

I have a Walker with the 13 HP Kawasaki engine. Sometimes over the past year it would not start first try but eventually started. Now it won't start at all, I can hear the solenoid engaging when I turn the key, but the starter doesn't turn. I changed the battery to a new one and now I get nothing at all not even the solenoid! Any ideas? Looking at the schematic for the wiring it is really simple, there is one 20 amp fuse and I replaced it even though it looked okay, but still nothing.

Click to expand...

I have the same issues...did you ever find the real problem?
I have pulled the entire wiring harness, jumped all the safety switches. If I use a jumper wire from the battery terminal directly to the
solenoid it starts every time?????

Thanks, sacrutch

Mine won't even start if I jump the starter?