Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): starting problems, jumper cables, positive cable

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2006 walker GHS 48" commercial mower. There is power to the ignition and when I turn the ignition on I get a voltage drop to .08 V. And thats all it does the warning light that indicates the ignition is on doesnt come on. Does this mean that a blade safety switch is bad? My gut tells me it isnt that cause there is power to the ignition and nothing...any help?

ANSWER: Hi Brad,
Where are you measuring the voltage? At the battery?
Keith

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QUESTION: No its dropping at the switch itself right where the hot red wire comes into the assembly that plugs directly into the ignition switch. Turning the switch has no effect anywhere else on the voltage. It reads 11.8ish before turning switch then drops to .08 then right back up when switch is off.

ANSWER: Brad,
If it were a saftey switch, it wouldn't affect voltage. If it was a drop at the battery, I'd say it was a bad ground connection. Since it's only at the switch, I'd suspect the switch itself. Let me ask a silly question. Are you sure your battery is good? It should be reading 12.5 or so. Have you tried jumping it off with jumper cables? If it turns over by jumping it off, your battery's bad. Another culprit could be the soleniod. Trace your positive cable from the battery to find the solenoid. Does it have one or two small wires going to it? If none of the above helps, I'll try to explain how to test it.

Keith

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QUESTION: Hey thanks...well I have power to the ignition and it doesnt drop now when I turn the ignition on, I found some bad wiring in the harness. It still wont try to turn over. I used a jump wire to bypass the relay and the engine turns over but wont start. I am thinking it might be a bad relay, but I switched out the relay that controls the fuel pump that works and it still didnt try to start. The ignition switch is new. The battery is fine I fully slow charged it and it reads 12.3 ish and there is power at the positive on the solenoid same thing 12.3 ish

Answer
When you mention you used a jump wire to bypass a relay, Did you mean the starter solenoid. If not, what relay was it? Unplug the small wire going to the soleniod. When you turn the switch to "start" position, check to see if you're getting 12+ volts to that terminal. If you're not, it might be a safety switch. What brand engine does it have?
Keith