cant use a key to start tractor???

in order to start my lawn tractor i have to put a screw driver accross two terminals (one of them leads to the starter). thats the only way i can get it to start. turning the key has no effevt. i put in a new ignition but it didnt do anything. the key has to be in the on position for the mower to start and when running the key will turn the mower off. i dont know what to do. will i have to completely rewire the mower??

Your starter silanode isint working/broke or not hooked up right
, they do go bad

is the silinoid what im putting the screw driver accross?

Yes. most likely.

ok i searched online and yes thats what im shoving a screwdrive accross. however, i pulled this engine from another mower wich had this problem and i pulled the all of the wiring harness ACEPPT for the solinoid out of the old mower and put it into another mower,(a craftsman) , using the craftsmans soliniod.( the engine in the craftsman was blown). now the craftsman has the starting problem wich leaves me here. idk???

Solenoid needs to be bolted against clean metal so it has a ground. They it needs a 12 volt positive to the small wire to click, and send power through the larger wires to the starter.

ok so all i did to the solinoid was take the wire off the starter for the old engine and then put it on the new engines starter. the solinoid is in its original stock position.

one of the safty switches not right

lol ummmm did you check your fuse that is with the wiring harness it leads to the ignition switch and if its blown it wont turn the engine over but it will kill the engine because it still has a ground connector the fuse is only there to protect it from over voltage

thats a really good idea!!!

lol ive done the same thing before replaced almost everything but that fuse then one day i just checked it and well it was popped

Yeah those fuses always get me, still have to rewire my mower, but not completely.

thanks

I have a 1997 murray ride on mower, I too have the same same problem with not start on key but will if I put a spanner across the solenoid. and I have been trying to get a wiring diagram for it with much luck. It has a briggs & stratton 12.5hp engine with thease numbers on it, Modle 289707. type 0121-01. code 970307zB, and under ste seat it has the following murray inc, jackson, tennessee, 38301 usa. designationdu, type 40304x76, serno/ 732970871J05533 1997 prod code 730208. Can anyone help me with a wiring diagram or how to locat whats wrong. I was given the mower by a widow and I am not sure if the wiring is correct as there is all sorts of tape on it. I have put in a new solenoid and still nothing. I also don't think the seat switch is wired up properly. I have a rough idea on wiring on 1960 cars as I have restored a 1960 Morris !000. I live in Wales Great Britain.

vancrasher wrote:

I have a 1997 murray ride on mower, I too have the same same problem with not start on key but will if I put a spanner across the solenoid. and I have been trying to get a wiring diagram for it with much luck. It has a briggs & stratton 12.5hp engine with thease numbers on it, Modle 289707. type 0121-01. code 970307zB, and under ste seat it has the following murray inc, jackson, tennessee, 38301 usa. designationdu, type 40304x76, serno/ 732970871J05533 1997 prod code 730208. Can anyone help me with a wiring diagram or how to locat whats wrong. I was given the mower by a widow and I am not sure if the wiring is correct as there is all sorts of tape on it. I have put in a new solenoid and still nothing. I also don't think the seat switch is wired up properly. I have a rough idea on wiring on 1960 cars as I have restored a 1960 Morris !000. I live in Wales Great Britain.

check the fuse and make sure its not blown

already checked the fuse, that was the first thing i tried and its ok.

vancrasher wrote:

already checked the fuse, that was the first thing i tried and its ok.

have you replaced the key switch?

There should be a ground wire, a kill wire (goes to motor) and a solinoid wire. Make shure they are all there and working. Talk to therainbowboxer, he is great with this stuff.

Here is a fairly typical wiring diagram. Should give you a starting point.

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Here is a fairly typical wiring diagram. Should give you a starting point.

thats very helpful now i understand how my stator hooks up lol

its your solinoid, I had starting truble so I replaced the solinoid and it worked!