I have a Snapper riding mower. Whenever I try to start it with the key, I hear a clicking sound coming from what I think is a relay between the battery, ignition switch and the starter. I've replaced the battery with a new, fully charged one. I've also gone through and cleaned all of the contacts.

This engine can also be started by a rope-pull. A few months ago, the rope-pull starter came off the recoil and got wrapped around something below it. I took it apart and got the rope back on the spool/recoil. Now most of the time when I pull the rope, it comes out very freely and does not turn over/engage the engine. Strangely, on very rare occasions, after the mower has been run I can pull the rope and it will turn over/start the engine.

Does anyone have any suggestions for either of these problems? My first priority is to get the battery start situation addressed first.

Thanks,
Dan

If I'm not mistaken your starter selioned is separate from the starter.Power has to go threw the selionod be4 it gets to the satarter, that's where I think your clicking comes from,clean the positive and negative terminals on it and try that, if is still doesent start I would change the selinoid.