Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): RIding Lawn Mower wont start, battery jumpers, riding lawn mower

Question
Have a Sears riding lawn mower that i was trying to start the other day and would not turn over and then it was dead.  My son replaced the solenoid and battery but still no start.  He seems to think i did something by trying to keep starting it.  He got it to start by using battery jumpers on the starter but it will not start by itself.  No click no nothing just dead.  any help would be appreciated.  THank you

Answer
Hi Kathy,

I suspect the key switch or a safety kill switch.  Follow my "no crank" proceedure below.  

Let me know how you make out.
Michael

I would check the starter first.  Jump the positive battery terminal to the starter and it should crank over.  If not, 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.