I have a Murray Riding Mower that has a problem in the electrical starter control system. The starter does not turn. I have replaced the solenoid and the problem remains. I have used jumpers to bypass all the safety switched one at a time and also bypassed all of them with no change in the problem. When jumpering across the power terminal studs on the solenoid the starter turns. If I could locate a schematic of the system, I think that I could find the problem. The battery was replaced last year and I have recharged it. I am wondering if the starter solenoid was miswired when the solenoid was replaced. The red positive large cable from the battery is connected to the input stud on the solenoid and no other wires are connected to this terminal. The solenoid output side has the starter cable (large red), a small red wire which comes from the fuse (fuse checks good with ohm meter and has been replaced with a jumper), and a yellow wire, which goes to the seat switch, connected to it. When turning the switch to the start position there is no voltage read on this input wire. Disconnecting the wire and reading it back to the switch reads continuity (good). I cannot find 12 VDC on any terminal on the switch, regardless of the switch position. Do you know where this switch is suppose to get the power to send to the solenoid control coil? This mower engine does have the electrical connection on the device mounted on the bottom of the carburetor. I have tried starting with the switch (? ) connected, disconnected and disconnected with a jumper across the connector terminals.

I have been working on this thing for over two days, so any help would be greatly appreciated. A copy of the start system wiring schematic would be very useful to me.

Jerry

You could have a bad ground, you did not mention a ground wire, or if you removed the solenoid and CLeaned the area where it touches the body when mounted.

Thanks MOWERMAN for your reply. I did find both the power and ground connections to be very dirty and the ground frame mount terminal was mounted on a painted support rod which was mounted on a painted frame surface. I cleaned all this up and now both power and ground definitely have to connections. I also found the small red wire was connected to the starter (output) side of the starter solenoid instead of the battery side. Correcting these problems corrected the starter problem. Do you know of anyplace that electrical schematics for these Murray Ridding Mowers can be obtained. If I had a schematic, I would have located this problem immediately. I found that there was no power (12 VDC) to any of the switch terminals, but not knowing exactly how this circuit was wired I rambled a long time. I thought at first that it might have been a ground controlled solenoid because it was apparent that the safely switches were in the ground circuit. Putting the red wire from that runs to ignition switch terminal 3 on the battery side of the solenoid where it belonged made all the difference in the world.

I appreciate you help.

Jerry, there are schematics available. If you have a local briggs and stratton dealer. They may still have the old murray disk on their computer and could possibly, note the word possibly still give you a copy. All that info is copyrighted, so they will do as they will.

Thanks I will give it a try. We do have an ACE Hardware in town which I know carries Murrary parts.

Did you look at the switch? I recently replaced mine because when I removed it there was corrosion $12.00

Jerry Carter fuse can you me Where it is the fuse. My battery sparked when I tried to check if it was tight

I have a Murray 18.5. The Engine stopped when I hit a large chuck of dirt. After that it will not start. I tried to check the battary terminals and it sparked. Could it be a fuse if so wher is it

I have a Murray 18.5. The Engine stopped when I hit a large chuck of dirt. After that it will not start. I tried to check the battery terminals and it sparked. Could it be a fuse if so where is it

Hi,
To "shattuckhills" you need to start a thread to be easily seen, not tack it on to someone else's. Got some numbers? If it is Murray, it is with the battery in the harness, beneath the gas tank in the harness, or if fairly new, inside the cover beneath the steering wheel behind the plate held in place by two #3 Phillips screws in the pedestal.
Peace,
Clarke