I have a Lawn Machine 42" model 13bk608go62, 17hp twin cyl engine #42a707 made by MTD. On cold start the starter will not turn the engine over until I click it two or three time. This has been a problem since day 1. After using it about 30 minutes and I turn the engine off and let it sit about 10 minutes, the starter will not turn the engine over until it cools off. I removed the plugs and got the same results. The next day I attached a volt meter on the post of the starter. On cold start, I get about 5.5 volt reading and the engine will not turn over until I click the key a couple of times. When I click a couple of times and the engine is turning over the reading gets from 10 to 11.5 volts while cranking and will start. I have done a volt test on hot start, I will the next time I use it. I also an intermitting problem will the engine running smooth. It will surge on idle and a few times I have had to run it with the choke out. I have cleaned the carb and I have replaced, fuel line and filter, air filter, fuel pump, and put a fuel cut off valve on it. I use 30w oil. I have seen a couple of posting that MTD used battery cables that were too small and installing an automotive batter cable on the machine would correct the motor turning over on hot and cold. What do you think about batter cable? Bottom line I can live with clicking the key a couple of times on cold start which leaves me with the problem that motor will not turn over on hot start and sometime the motor runs rough and I must run with the choke pulled out. Any suggestions?

Check and see if the positve cable is getting hot , if so this is due to a bad ground , check all cables going to the battery ,the engine ,the solenoid and the starter,as far as carb there's still something in it.may have to take off and soak in commercial grade cleaner,
Luck

Thanks. I changed the solenoid today. It started but this is hot start problem I will see if that fixed the problem the next time I get it hot mowing.