Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): craftsman lawn mower wont start, craftsman lawn mower, jumper wire

Question
Hi Mike,

I have a Craftsman 2 Riding Lawn Mower that doesn't want to start.  I have jumped over the solenoid straight to the starter and it cranks over.  But without doing that I don't get anything from the solenoid if I try and start it with the key.  I'm pretty sure the solenoid is bad, my question is.  There are 2 terminals for the battery and starter wire.  Then 2 male terminals for 2 other wires on the solenoid.  There is only a white wire on one of those terminals.  Is there supposed to be another wire hooked to the other terminal.  So is there supposed to be 4 wires hooked up to the solenoid.  The year of the tractor is a 97 I beleive.  The model # is 917.254640

thanks for your help,
Jeff  

Answer
Hi Jeff,

The solenoid should only use 3 wires.  See my general "No crank" proceedure below, for testing.

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.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael