Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): murray Riding mower OHV 42, briggs and stratton, deck type

Question
QUESTION: Briggs and Stratton OHV 14.5hp... year 1997
Model...287707
type...0225-01
code....970102ZE

Deck type 42560x92A

Does anyone happen to have a link with some walk through's are proper procedures' on how to check out an electrical system and correct settings to use with a multi meter?......

here's my dilemma....been toying with a Murray riding lawn mower one of my neighbors threw out to the trash....the neighbors kept this mower on the side of their house in the weather and Rain has taken it's toll on it...

lots of corrosion and rusted wire's through out mower....so I'm attempting to go through the wires and get current to the starter...

i bought myself a multi-meter and I'm trying to figure this puppy out....what I've managed so far, is to figure out how to check voltage from battery...and along lines to the solenoid....I've cleaned positive line from battery to solenoid
and have current....12.5 and 12.3 volts reading on meter...

solenoid is new...cause when i tried to clean lines on old one...and loosen nuts on it...it broke apart...

so i can make starter turn buy hot wiring...from battery and from solenoid..

next thing i tried to check was the ignition system...i pulled the plug harness off the key switch...and there is some corrosion inside....sprayed electrical cleaner in it....and tried to gently scrape clean....still no connection through it....connected the volt meter and got a little something to register on volt meter.....but i wasn't sure how to set the meter up......i was thinking it should be set for ohm's and i really don't know how to go about doing that..

if someone could pass me a simple rule of thumb on how to set the meter up...on different areas of the electrical system...it would help me greatly..

at this point I'm thinking sense the starter turned by jumping it.....my problem may be in the harness to the ignition or a safety switch someplace....but i need to figure out where I'm losing the current path and make sure i have this meter set right....

I'm following starting procedure from neighbor....clutch pinned while trying to crank....but still no current to starter....and to top it off the wiring schematic for the ignition system on the Internet doesn't jell with whats on the mower....looks like someone changed the key switch and wire harness on this mower before and it's not the factory type on wiring chart.....wiring chart says it should have a 15 amp fuse....and this one has a 30 amp fuse....the plug in on the key switch is totally different...and some of the colors don't seem to jell with schematic....

wow feels like i just wrote a novel.....lol
Cajun
[Edit] [Quote] [Reply]  
cajunh2s
View Public Profile
Find all posts by cajunh2s
Add cajunh2s to Your Buddy List





ANSWER: Hello Randy:

It Sounds like a Safety Switch is your Problem. 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 Jumper from Same Color Wire to Same Color Wire). Check the Clutch/Break 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. Go to this Site Addy, http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM (Murray) and Enter the Model Numbers (42560X92A). Then Double Click on your Model in the Results Area. Then Select the Section of the Mower you Wish to View. As for the Multimeter; Set the Meter to Read 12VDC (50VDC Scale) and Set the Meter to OHMs to Check the Condition of the Wires when there is NO ELECTRICAL CURRENT on them. You Use the OHMs Setting to Check for Broken Wires or Bad Connections. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. 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 9pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John

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

QUESTION: john...thanks so much for the reply....now i want to make sure i understand you correctly....their are plug in types of safety switches on this mower..... so as I'm checking these safety switches....if i happen to unplug the bad switch....the mower should then turn over and i then would know this is the bad switch to replace?...

Randy
ANSWER: Hi Randy:

Yes, you need to Unplug a Safety Switch and Try the Starter. If No Response from the Starter, then Place a Jumper Wire Between the 2 Terminals in the Harness where the Safety Switch was and Try the Starter Again. As I Stated in the Safety Switch Checking File; on Some Mower you can Just Unplug the Switch and Other Systems you have to Place a Jumper the Harness Where the Switch is. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

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

QUESTION: hi john

wanted to give a little update with this murray lawn mower...still throwing a little time on this thing between my regular job...and other things around the house...lol

i purchased some jumper lines from Radio shack and was able to disconnect all safty switches...this mower has two main safety switches, from what i can see that would keep it from cranking...the wiring from these go directly into the ignition switch harness...one is for the clutch/brake....the other is hooked to the blade engage......also has safety switch under seat...and a type of solenoid(wiring) on the carburator..

so after disconnecting the safety switch to the clutch....still no crank....tried to jump it with my Radio shack lines....couldn't get the alligator clips to grab the connections inside harness....was too big to fit inside harness....so i will return to radio shack and try and get some smaller ones...

so i figured i'd try some continuity test on the wire's from the ignition system beings i couldn't jump the safety switch'es....i'm still learning that voltmeter..anyways i made sure meter was set correctly..got my beep putting test lines together...and started checking.....

i found after pulling ignition plug off of ignition key fitting...checking each wire....no continuity threw these wire's....i also had no current from hot wire off solenoid going to the fuse....i replaced that fitting...still no juice there...key on or off

this is as far as i've gotten with this today....if you think i may have found something with this ignition harness...please post back....

Randy

Answer
Hi Randy:

You can Use Paper Clips for Jumpers. Uncurl the Paper Clip and Insert each End Into the Connector to Jumper the Connector. Here are the Instructions for Checking the Solenoid and Starter. **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 Turns the Engine Properly, Then Check the Solenoid. Firmly Touch the Small Post at the Base of the Solenoid. If The Starter Does Not Turn and the Solenoid Clicks, Then the Solenoid is Bad.** Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John