Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): riding mower, gardentractor, key switch

Question
my son has an old ACE lawn tractor in need of repair. it ran when he took it home,but after he took the deck off it wouldn't start. We took it down to the mower shop and they got it running again,but the key switch had to be out of the instrument panel to get it to run. when he touched the medal with the switch it would stop running. Later it wouldn't start any way. When he put the charger on it ,it ran,and now it won't run. I don't think the battery is the problem.It turns over fast enough. There are 2 wires going into the engine itself but they aren't connected. someone said they went to the charging system. Can you help? If I drew a diagram can I send it to you,so you can see it?
Thankyou, Rick

Answer
It sounds as if someone has done some creative wiring on this tractor.  I  recommend you look at the following webpage to see a typical wiring diagram:

http://www.jacques.lacasse.com/GardenTractor/Diagrams/ElectDiagr.htm

This may point you in the right direction.  Hope this helps.