QuestionI have a Craftsman 42" riding mower, 14.5hp briggs. I turn the key, nothing happens. I have swapped out battery, Selnoid, ignition switch with the same results each time. I can do the ole screwdriver on the selnoid trick and it fires right up. Any ideas?
AnswerHi Dwayne,
If the system works fine from the solenoid to the starter, then the problem is between the solenoid and the battery. If the key switch is good then there may be a problem in a safety switch located under the seat or near the blade engagement lever. You will need to trace the wiring to the keyswitch and to the solenoid. Use a test light or a volt meter.
Let me know how you make out.
Michael
Below, is my general No Cranking proceedure. It may be useful.
I would check the starter first. Jump the positive battery terminal to the starter and it should crank over. If so, skip to step 2.
If not, jump from a battery that you know is good, from a car. If still nothing, the starter is bad. If good, then the mower battery is weak.
Step 2.
If the starter and battery are good, you will need to trace the entire circuit from the starter to the battery. The solenoid, switches the battery power to the starter, when power from the key switch is sent to the small terminal on the solenoid. To test the solenoid, first make sure that you have power at its large terminal which comes from the battery. Then jump power from that terminal or the battery positive post, to its small terminal. You should hear a click and the other large terminal that feeds the starter should be energized. If not, then the solenoid is bad. If good, then continue tracing the power through the key switch to the battery until you find the break in the power path. All testing can be done with a 12 volt light or a voltmeter. Most equipment has safety switches in the seat and on the blade engagement lever. Check them by temporarily bypassing with a small jumper wire.
