can i do this on my bike?

[jeffcoslacker]

Your ignition switch or the wiring from it to the solenoid is bad...crossing the terminals on the solenoid to start it is doing the same thing the ignition switch does when it's contacts close, but for whatever reason the circuit is not completing.

You can unplug the wiring from the ignition switch and try shorting across the wiring terminals there (assuming it's a simple two wire ignition switch) and see if it cranks the starter like it should. If so, the switch is bad. If not, the wiring is probably broken somewhere along the way...

[richtazz]

Originally Posted by mo_86_05

ok, i'll give this a try..i know this is an automotive forum, but i was wondering if you or someone else in here could help with a riding mower problem. If so, here's my problem. I turn my key to try to crank it, but nothing. I have to start it by touching both ends on my solenoid. People say most solenoids are bad when they click, but mine doesn't click, so could it be that it's not getting the right power to it? I was thinking some wire might be bad, but if it starts off the solenoid, does that mean the wires from my ignition are good? Solenoid was replaced a few years ago, but did not help.

You may have a bad ignition switch or safety related switch. You need to check for voltage while the key is in the start position at the small terminal on the solenoid marked "S". If no voltage is present, then either the ignition switch is bad, or some safety interlock that prevents the engine from being started is bad. Many tractors have safety switches hooked to the seat, clutch, parking brake, deck engagement lever, etc... that prevent the starter from turning over if there is no rider in the seat, the mower deck is engaged, the brake isn't set, etc... This is so stupid people don't kill themselves or the neighbors cat by trying to start a tractor in gear with the deck engaged while not in the seat.

[mo_86_05]

Originally Posted by richtazz

You may have a bad ignition switch or safety related switch. You need to check for voltage while the key is in the start position at the small terminal on the solenoid marked "S". If no voltage is present, then either the ignition switch is bad, or some safety interlock that prevents the engine from being started is bad. Many tractors have safety switches hooked to the seat, clutch, parking brake, deck engagement lever, etc... that prevent the starter from turning over if there is no rider in the seat, the mower deck is engaged, the brake isn't set, etc... This is so stupid people don't kill themselves or the neighbors cat by trying to start a tractor in gear with the deck engaged while not in the seat.

I have set my safety switch on the back where i can start the mower without being on the seat. My engage lever is up and i have it in netural. I have to turn the key position to on to be able to start it off the solenoid, as it wont start if the key is not in the on position. I have 2 terminals on the solenoid, which one has an orange wire on it, but the other has nothing. I dont see any loose wires under there that are missing. Here are a few pics so you guys can point out what i need to do. O, i didnt see anything marked by an "S". They had a little rust under there. Its an older mower. Thanks for all the help!

[richtazz]

The yellow wire that is hooked to the small terminal in the front of the picture should be the signal wire from the ignition switch. It should have power when the ignition switch is in the start postion only. If it doesn't, then the ignition switch is faulty.

[mo_86_05]

Originally Posted by richtazz

The yellow wire that is hooked to the small terminal in the front of the picture should be the signal wire from the ignition switch. It should have power when the ignition switch is in the start postion only. If it doesn't, then the ignition switch is faulty.

Ok, im going to check the wire tommorow, but lets say the switch is good and a safety switch is bad. How do i disable the safety switches? On the seat, i took a piece of metal and its holding down, but i didnt know if there were wires i could connect together.