Export thread

Gusg said:

mowing through a thick patch of grass my mower bogged and cut off. When i tried to start it got nothing. I can still start by bridging the solenoid with a screwdriver. Anyone have any idea why this would be and what i could do to diagnose and fix it?

Click to expand...

The PTO switch is still in the "on" position

I wish that were the case. With the key on i can hear the pto engaging. But with it pushed in i get nothing when i turn the key to start. No click or anything.

Gusg said:

I wish that were the case. With the key on i can hear the pto engaging. But with it pushed in i get nothing when i turn the key to start. No click or anything.

Click to expand...

Can you still start it by jumping across the solenoid?

If so, does mower die when you lift off the seat?
Check the brake switch also.

You should not hear the PTO clicking...you should hear the carb solenoid...when you turn the key.

The clutch receives power when you pull the PTO switch...if all safety conditions are met. this happens after the mower is running.

Yes it will start and run and cut if i jump the solenoid. The engine stops if i get off the seat. Not sure how to check the brake switch.

What i meant about the pto sound... if i turn the key to the run position (but not running) and then pull out the pto, i can hear a click from under the engine. But when i turn the key all the way to start i get no sound at all. Even with tye pto switch pushed in.Thanks for all your help so far! I sure hope we can figure this out, the mower is only a year old.

Sounds like a poorly grounded starter solenoid or bad solenoid. If it is only one year old, repairs should be covered under your warranty.

shiftsuper175607 said:

Can you still start it by jumping across the solenoid?

If so, does mower die when you lift off the seat?
Check the brake switch also.

You should not hear the PTO clicking...you should hear the carb solenoid...when you turn the key.

The clutch receives power when you pull the PTO switch...if all safety conditions are met. this happens after the mower is running.

Click to expand...

You can check your brake switch by starting the mower...
Setting the brake
Lifting off seat...
mower should remain running.

Sorry it took me a few to get out and mess wit the mower. Rain... so i tested the brake switch and apparently it works bc i can jump the solenoid with the parking brake set and get off the seat and it keeps running. Any other ideas?

Did you check the fuse? If it is any consolation I have had to replace the senoide twice within the last two years and mine is a 2016 .Good luck!

So i still cant get it to start with the key. Replaced the solenoid and the key switch. Found two fuses under the hood. A 20 amp and a 7.5. Both still good. Im about to wire a push button to the posts of the solenoid and be done with it.

Here is a troubleshooting procedure that may or may not help.

[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Electrical* problems can be very easy or very difficult, depending on four things.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]1. * How well you understand basic electricity.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]2. *What tools you have and know how to use.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]3. *How well you follow directions.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]4. *You don't overlook or assume anything and verify everything.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]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.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]First, check the fuse(s), check battery connections for corrosion (clean if necessary) and *voltage - above 12.5 volts should be good.*[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]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.*[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]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.*[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Fourth, check for power on the other large terminal of the solenoid while holding the key in the start position q(you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch).*[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Fifth, check for power at the starter while holding the key in the start position (assistant again).*[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Sixth, check your ground circuit back to the battery.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]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.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]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.[/FONT][/FONT]

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

Fuses are all good. Battery connections are clean and tight.

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

12.6 volts from positive battery terminal to first large post on solenoid regardless of key position

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.

Solenoid has four wires. Two large and two small. Voltage between two small wires with key turned and clutch pressed is only 10mA.

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

Again, 10mA

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

10mA

10ma is not voltage, that's current. Once you get it started, and get on the seat, and release the brake, will the PTO engage?

Sounds like you replaced a perfectly good solenoid and key switch. If you can jump a solenoid, and the mower cranks, the solenoid is fine. The solenoid is only a simple electromagnetic switch. Your problem lies in a safety switch, likely the one on the PTO.