Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Dead engine, continuity tester, battery cables

Question
Hi Ben
I think I have an electrical problem with my mower. 12.5 hp/40” Murray, B/S engine. Murray model #40631A, B/S Mod #286707/ purchased new 1992. Worked fine last weekend, now the engine won’t turn over; is completely dead. No clicking when I try to start it so assume solenoid OK. I did try jumping across the solenoid and the engine does crank & start. Spark plug is new and connected. Battery is new and I had it load tested when I purchased it a few days ago. Red cable connected tightly to positive post. New 15a fuse, and I had the clutch and PTO switch checked at a lawnmower repair shop; both tested OK. I checked the wiring harness and all of the wires are connected, don’t see any noticeable breaks. I cleaned the battery cables and posts. Adjusted the clutch to owner manual specs(it was loose)to make sure the clutch switch closes. Ignition switch functions normally; doesn’t feel any different than usual. I don’t have an ohmmeter; only a circuit tester which I presume won’t help me any. Only thing I can think of is a break in the wiring but have no idea how to check for that. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Don


Answer
Don
with all that you did sounds like you covered all the basics. Usually when you get that problem I would suspect the ignition switch is bad,try unplugging the switch and find you manual and look for the wiring diagram, find the hot wire going to the switch and look for the start wire. Run a jumper between them and if it starts get a new key switch,if it doesn't somewhere you may have a broken wire. You will need to get a continuity tester they are usually pretty cheap at any Home depot wal-mart Lowes etc.

Thanks