Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Snapper Start Problem, jumper wire, ground signal

Question
Thanks for your reply. The solenoid is a two wire solenoid & the ignition switch is sending a ground signal to the exciter twerminal. However there is no voltage present on the other wire. Yes- a no start was the original problem & when I recieved the mower someone had tried to run a bypass wire to correct the problem but that created a battery drain & did not work prooperly. I have been wishing for a wiring diagram but am now trying to open up the harness wrap so I can figure this thing out. I'm an auto-tech by trade and as you can see I get involved in other things I should'nt. Somewhere the 12+ signal to ignition switch was lost & there is also no key on power to the solenoid. Thanks again! I'll keep you posted on my findings.
Clark
Followup To
Question -
I have a Snapper Yard Cruiser with a 14.5hp Briggs that I am repairing for a neighbor with a starting problem. With a new Battery & new solenoid it will not crank. There is a signal to the solenoid from ign switch but I am not reading any voltage on any contacts on back of ign switch. Should the signal to solenoid be a ground signal(blue wire)from the switch?
It seems that I should have 12+ at the back of ignition switch on one of the terminals.
When a jumper wire is installed from 12+ to the white wire on solenoid the engine will crank when a ground signal is supplied to the blue wire or exciter wire. This mower is making me feel very stupid. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Thanks
Answer -
Does the solenoid have one or two small posts? (Not including the battery terminal posts)

The switch should have 12 volts on one pin.  Is the fuse blown?
If you have a single post solenoid the exicter should have 12 volts on it when the key is in the start position.  If you have two posts on th solenoid one is ground and the other should have 12 volts on it when the key is in the start position.
Was no starting the original problem?
Eric

Answer
If you remove and clean the ignition switch there should be some letters on the back near each terminal.  "B" is usually the 12 volts from the battery.

Did you find a fuse?  Wiring Diagram?  Very few manufactures offer diagrams; they provide general wiring configurations but they aren't deatailed enough to track down individual wires.

Let me know if you found the fuse.

Eric