I have an older Murray 12hp riding mower that has not had a problem starting until now. It started fine and I mowed and shut it down, when I went to restart the mower it would not do anything. I have replaced the starter silinoid, switch and checked all the safety switched and still nothing. I can start it by jumping from the battery to the starter. What am I over looking?

If you can jump to the starter then one of the issues you think are all fine is still not fine. You replaced the solenoid and which switch, the ignition switch? Test the solenoid by applying 12 vdc to the one and black wires. You shoulkd hear a click or clunk. With the 12 vdc still applied to wht/blk you should get a dead short acrosss the two red terminals. Check that and come back to us. Others can help too.

The switch that I replaced was the ignition switch. I did as you said and I STILL can not get it to turn over.

You may have misunderstood what I was saying. I was describing a test of the solenoid, not a start procedure.When you apply 12 vdc to the white and black terminals on the solenoid you should have a dead short across the two red terminal. How did the work for you?

I did as you instructed and put the 12vdc to the one black wire on the solenoid and it clicked and then to the other and got the dead short. Were do I check next?

OK sounds like to solenoid is OK. If you replaced the ignition switch then we are getting back to those three safety switches. Some switches are opem when you depress the switch while others are the exact opposite. Check your switches to see if they close or open when you depress the switch. If they close when depression you can jumper out the switches with a very short piece of wire.

I have checked all three switches and they all appear to be working correctly. I jumped the ones on the clutch/brake and blade switch and still will not get any action.