lawn tractor wiring help

[powerstroke6ltr]

hmmm, still stumped...everything is in order, according to the diagram....EDIT: checked the solenoid as soemone mentioned...it doesn't click!! Now, can i buy any old solenoid...like on from sears? IF i do can someone help if i run into trouble?? Now i'm pondering, how can a solenoid just go bad? Would water a degreaser kill it? hmmmm thanks

 

[powerstroke6ltr]

Another EDIT lol: Went to sears and purchased a 4 pole solenoid...only one they had....Bad idea...don't know how to wire it now /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif...no directions, it's an old one...It hass two small blade lookin like poles, and two big screw typer poles....Any help ou tthere? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Lazy]

HI
Could you provide us with a pic of the lawn tractor you have? I have several books covering lawn tractors from the early 80's to the present. I could have a diagram.

Charlie.

 

[powerstroke6ltr]

lets see here... i have a wiring diagram and a tractor pic...

 

[powerstroke6ltr]

here is the diagram . . . keep in mind the solenoid wiring is different now, and i am having trouble with it....although if you have a diagram for this tractor it would surely help...thanks

 

[WhiteRock]

I recommend trying to determine if the solenoid is bad before you replace it. Because it doesn't click, doesn't mean its bad. You may have a bad connection on your clutch safety switch, ignition, or a blown main fuse.

The first test I would do is the following. Put a volt meter between ground and the solenoid start wire. Push in the clutch, turn the ignition to start. If you do not get a voltage, that path has a problem.

Trace (looking for a voltage) from the battery through the main fuse, through the ignition (in the start position) to the clutch switch, then to the solenoid wire. Make sure your solenoid is properly grounded.

 

[Lazy]

Your tractor pic didn't make it. Could you try again?

 

[BB_TX]

Without more information on the key switch and the solenoid, it is possible that the small screw on the original solenoid must be grounded to operate instead of supplied with a positive voltage. It may be that the positive from the battery to the large terminal is internally connected to the solenoid coil. If that is the case, then the key switch would be grounding the small screw to complete the circuit. With your ohm meter (and the solenoid completely disconnected) do a continuity check between large terminal 1 and large terminal 2, large terminal 1 and small terminal, and large terminal 2 and small terminal. If there is continuity (with some small resistance) between one of the large terminals and the small terminal, then the above sounds to be true.

 

[powerstroke6ltr]

thanks...i will try that all...thing is, i took off the safety switched...they were disfunctional in the first place...now when i hook up the power to everything, the ammeter jumps to -15 amps and the wire attaching the battery + sparks...diagram looks good though....

 

[powerstroke6ltr]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif well, to say the least, I got the solenoid to click!!! That 4-pole very odd shaped solenoid from sears clicks!!! WOW That was relieving. I have another revised diagram attached for what i have done now..Only problem now is, the tractor won't crank. I've looked over the wire too many times, and can't pin down the problem. I was trying to get a volt reading from my mulitmeter, but the darn thing is on the fritz...my luck! The thing flucuates -1.5 then spikes, etc. The battery is fine. The meter is on the fritz. I really gotta get this tractor working. PLEASE ANY HELP?? thanks in advance! At least i got the solenoid to click...maybe that's a good sign /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif