My MTD riding lawn mower won't start.. I saw online that it is often the solinoid. I jumped across the 2 big terminals on the soliniod and it cranked the engine over.. soooo, I went and bought a new solonoid. It didn't help.. so I thought it must be the key switch.. so I went and bought a new key switch and nothing again.. will someone please help before I replace all the parts on my mower.. thank you

Have you checked for any fuses or broken wires between the keyswith and the soleniod? The 2 large posts go from battery to starter. There also usually is another wire connected to the battery side of the post. That is what runs your keyswitch / ignition. When you changed it did you notice and record all the wires to make sure they all returned to the proper position?

Most of the time this is caused by a safety switch. For the mower to start the deck has to be all the way up (there is a switch for that) the clutch/brake pedal has to be down, (there is a switch for that) and you have to be on the seat. (there is a switch for that)

One of these switches is probably not making contact. You can jump them to figure out which one it is. Once you figure it out you can replace the guilty switch. You might check the deck switch first. Many times the switch bracket gets bent and doesn't let it engage.

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

have you checked for any fuses or broken wires between the keyswith and the soleniod? The 2 large posts go from battery to starter. There also usually is another wire connected to the battery side of the post. That is what runs your keyswitch / ignition. When you changed it did you notice and record all the wires to make sure they all returned to the proper position?

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Now that you mention it, when I first looked at it it seemed there was a small red wire going to the + side of the battery. I think I hooked it to the large post on the solonoid that goes to the battery... no, there were only 2 wires and I didn't write them down.. should I try to hook the small red wire to the + battery terminal?

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Originally Posted by jsfocke

Most of the time this is caused by a safety switch. For the mower to start the deck has to be all the way up (there is a switch for that) the clutch/brake pedal has to be down, (there is a switch for that) and you have to be on the seat. (there is a switch for that)

One of these switches is probably not making contact. You can jump them to figure out which one it is. Once you figure it out you can replace the guilty switch. You might check the deck switch first. Many times the switch bracket gets bent and doesn't let it engage.

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So if I put a jumper between the 2 wires that go to the safety switches that will tell me if I have a problem with a switch? Didn't know there was a deck switch either... I don't have a print to go by and it probably wouldn't help me if I had one... I know this can't be that difficult but I'm having one heck of a time..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

have you checked for any fuses or broken wires between the keyswith and the soleniod? The 2 large posts go from battery to starter. There also usually is another wire connected to the battery side of the post. That is what runs your keyswitch / ignition. When you changed it did you notice and record all the wires to make sure they all returned to the proper position?

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WOW.. im a amateur photographer and I think the picture you used is incredible... Yep, no nothing about mowers.. just trying to save a buck...

Thank you guys for all your help... the problem ended up being the deck switch which was not being made.. my mower runs like a top now thanks to all of your suggestions. I know a lot more about my mower now and hopefully if I have another problem with it, I am now knowledeable enough to take care of it myself. Again, thank you jsfocke and califdadof3.