Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Snapper mower rear engine, snapper mower, starter solenoid

Question
have rear engine snapper mower. will start with cord but not with key. Battery has been replaced. key will cut engine off when running. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hiya Chip
One of two things
1-Bad solenoid
2-Bad start switch

Get a 12v test light at wally world.  Find the terminal from your ign switch that goes to the starter solenoid(you will have one terminal that goes 'hot' when you switch the ignition on, one that goes 'hot' when you try to crank it).  If you get a light there when you switch the key to 'start', you have a bad solenoid(Its basically a heavy duty relay), if you cannot locate a terminal that goes 'hot' only when you try to crank, you have a bad ignition switch.    Replacements are fairly cheap.
Lemme know how it goes!