QuestionI recently purchased a Toro Wheel Horse Model No.71184 12-38 XL. The tractor sat for most of the last 15 years and the price was right, $200. I changed the oil, lubed it, charged the battery, washed the air element and de-moused the motor. It starts, runs and mows fine but will not shut off without pulling the plug wire. The seat safety switch will not work either, which makes me think the problem is related. How should I trouble shoot it? Replacing the ignition switch seems like a knee-jerk mistake.
AnswerRemove the top engine shroud to access the ignition module. There should be a small wire connected on the coil. Follow the wire from the ignition module to the engine block connnection.
Make sure the wire insulation is in good shape. Start the engine. To shut if off use a clip lead or another wire and touch one end of the test lead to a metal engine part and the other end to the engine block terminal connetor. The engine should stop. All you are doing is grounding the primary side of the ignition coil.
The key switch is supposed to do this when you turn it to the off position.
Below are links to wiring digrams.
http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/miscpdfs/RNT/ignition_wiring.pdf
http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/miscpdfs/RNT/alternator_replacement.pdf
