Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman Lawn Tractor Model # 917.255520, craftsman lawn tractor, jumper wire

Question
Battery is good, have power to battery side of solenoid with key in on or off position. nothing on starter side of solenoid with key in on position. Can cross both terminals of solenoid with screwdriver and mower starts and runs great. Is my ignition switch bad?

Answer
Hello J.R.:

From your Description it Sounds like a Bad Solenoid or a Bad Safety Switch. Usually the Blade or Clutch Safety Switch will Cause the Engine to Not Start with the Ign Switch if 1 is Bad or has a Bad Connection. I Suggest you Check the Solenoid First, then the Safety Switches. 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 or Makes No Noise at All, Then the Solenoid is Bad.** If the Solenoid Operates Correctly, then Check the Safety Switches. 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 the Starter Solenoid will Not Operate After you have the Safety Switch Checked, then Check the Voltage from the Ign Wire to the Solenoid. If No Current to the Solenoid when the Ign Switch is in the Spring Loaded Start Position, then Check the Fuse/Fuse Link. If the Fuse/Fuse Link is Good, then the Ign Switch is Bad. To View a Breakdown of this Unit Go to this Site Addy, http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action and Enter the Model Numbers and Click Search. From this Page you can View Diagrams and Parts Lists for you Equipment Using the "View Sub Components" Section Near the Bottom Left. 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