2004 Murray. Wiring issues...

Hello ok to start off when i got the mower it had already been rewired with a push button and toggle. Ok and as far as i can tell it is wired up right just like fearlessfronts diagram...

Ok but the problem is. The battery will not stay charged and when i go to hook the negative to the negative side the battery it sparks. So i guess there is a short some where. This would be the 3rd battery i have put in it. It keeps killing them... Please help!!

I'll see if I can get the ball rolling?  What engine does your Murray have?  Briggs, Kohler.. and type like 16 I/C twin, single.?

First thing I would look at if a Briggs is the charge wire.  Does it have a DIODE?  If it is a model with a DIODE and it is not there could cause your symptoms.  We will need a little more information and we could help a little better!

Hey thank you for the reply. It is a Briggs 15.5 hp signal and no it does not a diode...

Been a little slow on the forums for a couple days (outside the buildoff area), I'm guessing you have 2 wires coming out from under your flywheel?  Does one of them have a bulge before the connector?  Unless it was chopped off?  

I'm guessing this is an OHV engine?  Please correct me if I am wrong.  If so, on the valvecover do you see model and type (numbers stamped into the metal)?  If not OHV, near the spark plug somewhere should be stamped in the cover model and type.  We can see if things can be narrowed a bit. Also, see if we can keep the topic fresh so the more engine savy see it and pop on!  

Opps yea man. It is a over valve engine and yes it has two wires but they have been cut. Ones red which goes to one of switches and the other is black just hanging there...

OK, without the diode, the battery is allowed to discharge back out into the alternator. Hope it has not be dammaged.

Red wire is your charging wire and should have a rectifying diode to stop backflow. Black I think is the light circuit.  Since your wire was cut off, I bet that diode is gone.  Few options

Easiest:
Replace the pigtail with the diode.  (Briggs & Stratton : 393456)
Link to one on Amazon.  There are some cheap ones on Ebay too. If you have the other end of  the plug great, if not you can tap into the plug pretty easily with a couple round plugs.

More moderate and cheapest, purchase a diode and solider it into the red wire.
I believe it is a 6A, 50V Rectifier Diode.  Can be Googled.

Hope that gets you on the right path.

Hey man. Thanks for the replys. I will soon be getting a diode...

Some of the other guys around here and Facebook have been talking about taking the charging and lighting circuits into a regulator to get better charging. Something to think about.