Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): murray riding mower wont start, jumper wire, volt light

Question
hi, i have a murray riding lawnmower(model 42590x92B) . this year i could get no sound out of it when i turn the key, not even a click. checked the battery, changed the fuse and put in a new solenoid as the old solenoid was badly rusted. still no effect, no sound when i turn the key. the other wires and connections look good to my visual inspection.
any sugggestions on how to troubleshoot the electrical system( i presume that is where the fault is. iam an enthusiastic novice.
thanks

Answer
Hi Pvel,

I would check the starter first.  Jump the positive battery terminal to the starter and it should crank over.  If not, jump from a battery that you know is good, from a car.  If still nothing, the starter is bad.  If good, then 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.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael