Hey I have a yard machine with the briggs and stratton 14.5 go engine. A few weeks ago I got a new battery and new solenoid and it ran fine. Went to start it yesterday and it wouldn't do anything. Not even a click. It was in park with the brake pushed in and Blades all the way up. I'm sure it's in te wiring somewhere. Does anyone have a wiring diagram or any ideas on what I should start looking into first? The engine number is 42a707.
Please post model xxxxxx, code xxxx, type xx from engine. Also post MTD model and serial numbers.
Inspect all wiring for corrosion, chafing, bare wires, loose connections, as well as all connections for being tight, especially ground from engine to frame.
Here's a troubleshooting procedure which should help you find the problem.
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.
Ok thanks guys for the help. Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The mower model number is 13a0675g062. And the engine is 42a707 type 2238 E1. I have checked the fuse. I have checked the battery and the solenoid. I have checked continuity on all the safety switches and wires leading back to the ignition and also replaced the ignition switch. Still nothing. I thought I had found the problem when I saw that the safety switch under the seat was unplugged but that didn't fix anything. The safety switch for the reverse has always been unplugged as the cover has been missing since I got the mower and has ran fan without it. Is there a safety switch for the gear shifter? If there is I can't find it. Anymore help would be greatly appreciated!
If this is the model where it engages the deck with the same lever that lowers the deck. Try pulling back on the deck height/engagement lever while attempting to start.
If this is the model where it engages the deck with the same lever that lowers the deck. Try pulling back on the deck height/engagement lever while attempting to start.
Yes the battery is at 12.5 volts. It will turn over if I jump the starter. And it had a new solenoid that worked fine two weeks ago. I mowed the yard and parked it for a week. When I went to mow again nothing would happen.
Have you gone through the troubleshooting procedure I posted?
#11
Carscw
I know you said you pulled the height/in gage lever. But did you look at the switch to make sure the button is being pushed in.
This is the most common thing to do this on this mower.
Rivets, yes I have but I'm going to go through it again tomorrow just to make sure. Everything seemed to be workin fine although, number 3, when I checked the small terminal on the solenoid I only got 3.5 volts. Is that kind of loss normal?
I know you said you pulled the height/in gage lever. But did you look at the switch to make sure the button is being pushed in.
This is the most common thing to do this on this mower.
Yes I did. Both the pedal switch and blade lever switch push all the way in. I also checked the continuity of both sides of both switches and both seem to be working fine.
Ok. I traced the small wire that goes into the small terminal on the solenoid back to the blade safety switch. It only has 1.25 volts coming into it now. The continuity is fine of coarse and I rechecked safety switch an it is still fine. Guys I'm stumped.
On the B terminal of the key switch you should have 12V. When you turn the key to the start position you should have 12V on the S terminal. The B terminal is coming from one of the large terminals on the solenoid where the battery is connected to and the S terminal goes back to the small terminal on the solenoid. You may have a bad key switch if you have 12V coming in, but not going out.
Well. I finally have it running. Of all the things I checked including the fuse, it was the fuse box. Melted down in the middle. I went back and started from the beginning checking all the instructions that I had gotten. I checked the fuse but never looked at the block much. A little embarrassing but glad I found it. Thanks to everyone who gave me advise. Especially rivits! Thanks a lot for all the time u put in helping me. Couldn't have done I with out you man.
Congratulation, you just got your Beginers Badge in Electrical Troubleshooting. Glad to be of help, sometimes it is the little things that we overlook. This is the reason I always say, NEVER ASSUME ANYTHING, DOUBLE CHECK EVERYTHING, when working with electricity. Took luck with your unit in the future.
