Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): scotts riding lawn mower, jumper wire, question pool

Question
QUESTION: Hi
I have a Scotts riding lawn mower model#s2046h sn-gx2046s034579. All of a sudden when I try to start it I get nothing. I had the battery checked & it is fine. I took a screw driver & touched both terminals of the "solenoid" (I believe that is what you call the part that the battery cable connects to) and the motor turned over. I assume that means the solenoid is bad?????? Also it looks impossible to get the bolts out that hold it in place...any suggestions?????

ANSWER: Hello Paul:

Sorry for the Delay. This Question was Located in the Question Pool and I can Only Answer Questions from the Question Pool when I am Not Answering Questions here or at the Other Site I Answer Questions at. From your Description it Sounds like the Clutch or Blade Safety Switch is Bad or has a Bad Connection. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Engine and Mower at this Site Addy, http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.H and Enter the Model Numbers (Scotts) and Click Find. Then Select your Model from the Search Results Area. Then Select the Sectional File. Then Select the Section of the Mower you Wish to View Online. The Following is an Instruction File for the Safety Switch System. Any Input is Appreciated. The Color Code of the Wires May be Different than those I Use as a Reference in the Instruction File. **PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING THE SAFETY SWITCHES IS JUST THAT!!! FOR CHECKING ONLY. I NEVER Suggest a Mower be Operated with a Safety Device or Switch Disconnected or Bypassed. Now. On Some Model Mowers you can Simply Unplug the Safety Switch from the Harness. On Other Models you have to Place a Jumper Wire Between the Harness Terminals (on the 4 Post Switch (Clutch/Brake) Jumper from Same Color Wire white to White First and then Check for Fire, Now Include the Black to Black Wires if No Fire. Check the Clutch/Brake and the Blade/PTO Safety Switches First. Check the Seat Safety Last. Usually the Seat Safety is Not in the System for Starting the Engine. Just to Ensure Someone is in the Seat when Engaging the Transaxle and/or Blades. Use a Paper Clip or a Short Wire to Make a Jumper.**  If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks John
So far I have replaced the positive battery cable,solenoid,ignition switch,& brake switch. Still I get nothing. I touched both terminals of the solenoid at the same time with a screwdriver & it fires right up. With it running if I get up out of the seat with the BRAKE OFF, it will die. Doesn't that mean the seat switch is working??? Also if I get off the mower with the BRAKE LOCKED ON it will stay running. Doesn't that mean the brake switch is working??? I am really not clear on exactly how to check all the switches with a test light. Sorry, but if you could go into a little more detail I will try that. The only time I get the test light to come on is when I touch the battery cable side of the solenoid terminal. Thanks again!!!
Paul

ANSWER: Hello Again Paul:

From yuor Description, the Safety Switches are Working. Check the Wire from the Ign Switch to the Starter Solenoid. The Test Light should Show Power on this Wire when you Hold the Ign Switch to the Spring Loaded Start Position. The Following is an Instruction File I Made for Checking/Testing the Starter and Solenoid. **(with the Spark Plug/s Removed) To Check the Solenoid and Starter, Once you are Sure the Battery is Fully Charged/New, then Use your Jumper Cable Set and Attach the Positive Lead Onto the Positive Post of the Battery (make sure the Battery is Fully Charged or is a New Battery). Now Firmly Touch the Large Post on the Starter. If the Starter Does Not Turn and you can turn the Engine by Hand, then the Starter is Bad. If the Starter Turns the Engine Properly, Then Check the Solenoid. Firmly Touch the Small Post at the Base of the Solenoid that has the Ign Wire Attached to it. If The Starter Does Not Turn and the Solenoid Clicks, Then the Solenoid is Bad.** If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again John
I checked the purple wire on the solenoid with a test light & sometimes I get power & sometimes I dont. Cant seem to find a spot where the wire is shorting out though. I went ahead & started it by Touching both terminals of the solenoid so I could mow. What I noticed is the button I have to push to back up while the blades are turning is not working properly. Always before I could push it prior to backing up and I could let go as long as I continued to back up. Now I have to hold it down the whole time I am backing up or it will die. Dont know if this has anything to do with my starting issue or not. Any more suggestions before I take it somewhere????
Thanks
Paul

Answer
Hi Again Paul:

The Backup Lockout Switch/Button can be the Cause for this Problem. I Suggest you Replace this Switch/Button. Any Component of the Safety System that is Going Bad or is Bad can Cause the Problem you Described. This is a Part of the Safety System for this Mower. It will Not Allow the Starter to Engage Using the Solenoid if it is Bad. If this Switch is Replaced or Jumpered and the Starter is Still Not Engaged Using the Ign Switch, then the Ign Switch is Most likely the Cause for this Problem. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John