I own a Scotts lawn tractor model 1642 that won't start (turn over). The battery is good and I've replaced the solenoid. I believe its one of the many safety interlocks that's the cause.

Have you tried jumping it at the soleniod to see if the starter turns?

Califdadof3,

I have the same problem (1 year later) on my Scotts S1642. Yes, it starts & runs after jumping solonoid (bypassing all safeties). I think it's the ignition switch, but to be sure, I need the wire diagram so I can hot wire test it before the ignition switch. If it cranks, I know I have a bad ignition switch, if not I can eliminate the ignition switch as the source of the problem & look at other safety switches (clutch/brake, PTO, etc.). When looking at the switch's male plug ends, the wires are colored as follows:

Yellow wire --> ── ── <-- Black wire
White wire --> ── ── <-- Red wire
Purple & w/White stripe --> ──

What two colored wires need to complete a circuit to engage the starter crank (assuming the key is in the run position)?

Thank you.

See attached pictures for reference. I'm not sure what the letters represent on the plud diagram.

Can't seem to find anything free on the web at this time. The manual for it is TM1776. You might be able to get one from your JD dealer they seem to be going for $25.00

That is the full service manual. Covers everything.

Should be:

G- ground
B-Battery
S-Starter
M-Motor (ignition)
L-Lights.

You can double check that with an ohm meter. Start should only be in 1 position. (between battery and "S" )
Ground shouldn't connect to any other posts, Lights and ignition and battery should tie together when in the "on" position.

Califdadof3,

Thanks for the swift reply.

I believe now that I have identified the source of the problem. With all my safeties disengaged (Blades disengaged, clutch/brake engaged, myself seated on tractor seat), I tried the following: With the ignition switch unmounted from the plastic switch housing (giving me access to the ignition switch connector) I slightly unplugged the ignition switch from the wire harness so that all the connections remained intact, but enough so that I could make a short between the "B" & "S" plug posts with a flat head screw driver. I then placed the ignition switch in the "RUN" position and made the short between "B" & "S" posts. VOILÀ! The engine cranked right over with more gusto than it had in recent history up to the point it stopped doing so altogether. It's safe to say now that my ignition switch is shot. Now I just need to find one online.

Thanks again for your help.

I have an ignition problem now as well on my S1642. Turning the ignition switch to on didn't even produce a clicking sound. So I jumped the solenoid and the starter turned the engine over but no ignition. Would this be some safety switch causing there to be no ignition and the starter not engaging? How do I find the clutch safety switch? (is there one) and the blade safety switch?

/Users/dalewhiteley/Desktop/Kohler six page Mower Manual
Used this schematic tester to repair my s1642.
Dale