I've had this rider for about 7 yrs and it worked fine until about 2 summers ago one of the desk spindles broke. I finally got the desk rebuilt last month but when I put it back on and tried to crank it, it turned over a few times.. then stopped. I don't think the engines has locked up because I'm not even getting the started to engage. When I turn the key, I can hear a buzzing-crackling sound from inside the deck under the switch area. The next time I turn the key I get nothing. I thought the battery may have been bad from sitting, but I jumper cabled a car battery with it but got the same results. This mower is a 1987 model and has been a great mower until now. Can anyone steer me in the right direction.. maybe give me a wiring schematic?

Sorry for the mis-spelling.. I meant to say deck not desk

I leaning towards sonlonoid going bad here.and or bad battery. Jumping a shot battery doesn't alwalys work. Simply because the charge fron other batttery is being suck up too much in old batt cells. Get a Battery

For the start part. First check all safety switches grounds and under the seat is the biggie.

Use a screw driver to jump the post on the solonoid to see if that changes things.

Since its been sitting check this list of to test the start system.

To check the starter. If the battery is good, check the voltage to the starter by taking a volt meter and grounding the black probe to a good ground and touching the red probe to the starter terminal. Turn the key. If all 12 volts are going to the starter and the engine still will not crank, then starter must be repaired. If less than 12 volts are going to the starter, check for exposed areas in the wiring which could cause a partial ground or corrosion. Remove the corrosion, if any, and tape up the wire with electrical tape.

To check the starter solenoid. (After all the above checks have been done,) remove the wire from spade terminal. With a screw driver, touch the spade terminal and the hot side of the solenoid. If the starter turns, the starter solenoid is good and there is a problem in the safety switches. The solenoid is usually located on the back side of the accessories panel, in the engine compartment, on Riders and Tractors. On Rear Engine Riders, the solenoid is located under the seat or in a seprate compartment. Follow the Positive (Red) battery cable to find the solenoid.

(No Ground) Check the ground cable at the battery and where it connects to the engine or chassis of the power equipment. Replace the cable if needed