Murray 42" Twin Select Briggs 42a707 16.5hp Motor

OK, I am not on my mower at the moment, obviously, but I will post more model numbers and such this afternoon.

History.
1. Wife picks house with monster lawn.
2. Wife pisses on my plan for a new riding mower.
3. Neighbor has pity and gives me this thing.

4. Mower wouldn't start without jumping from car. It would attempt to turn the flywheel a couple times and eventually stop that.

5. Replaced the battery. Same result.

6. After a couple of weeks, it would not start with jumping.

7. I replaced the battery feed cables with automotive feed cables, as suggested in another forum.

8. Now mower just clicks at the solenoid under the steering wheel... nothing else.

9. Replaced starter. Same thing though... just lots of clicking at the solenoid when I turn the ignition.

10. Removed solenoid, checked all the grounds I could find, cleaned the terminals, reattached, same result.

11. Today... clueless (not a mechanic, but determined) and still pissed at wife.

PS: Thanks for your help... and a case of beer is up for grabs for any Jacksonville Floridian willing to come over and show me how to fix this.

Solenoids are supposed to click when they are energized, it's the sound of the switch closing. Test the solenoids 4 wires. Red to red should show no continuity, then apply 12 vdc to the white and black wires, now you should have continuity acros the two reds now. If not buy a new solenoid OR accidentally set fire to it a buy a new one at Home Depot. Tell your wife old tractors sometimes spontaneously combust.

You may also want to check the 3 safety switches. There should be one for the seat, one for the blade when engaged and one for the brake. I've by-passed 2 of the 3 on my mower already (not the blade engaged safety).