Craftsman 917.289244 tractor starting issue...

[dart451]

Have a head scratcher! Cannot get engine to turn over. Can jump the solenoid and it'll turn over. At first I thought it was the solenoid, I checked voltage at the inside post, 12v. I then tested the small white wire to the solenoid, 12v when I turned the starter switch. I figured the solenoid was faulty. Changed it out, same problem. Any other suggestions out there?

[Gerry]

Seat safety switch or one of the other safety switches, does it have a small ground wire under the right fender that is not making a good ground?

[38racing]

I once had a no crank even with 12v showing at the small wire to the solenoid but new solenoid didn't fix it( back then I didn't think to just jumper 12v to small tab on solenoid to test it.). We problem was bad connection at s tab on keyswitch. Wouldn't pass enough current to activate the solenoid , just enough for vom to see 12v.

[dart451]

Where is the blade engagement switch on this model? I don't see it under the dash area! Maybe that switch is bad...

[bobodu]

Have you jumped from the battery terminal to the coil terminal? How does the solenoid ground? Frame or fourth wire?

[KE4AVB]

There wouldn't be 12v at the solenoid if the PTO or brake switches were bad. Of course the brake/clutch must be depressed and the PTO in off position. If either is operating backwards then someone has install the wrong switch or been bypassing them. These two safeties are different. I ran to one that was starting without depressing the brake/clutch because someone installed the PTO safety switch in place of the original brake/clutch switch.

Since you have 12v at the trigger terminal I hope this is with the wire plugged in then you have a bad ground or a return ground drop out. As 38 mention a bad connection on the positive side can cause a false reading if the you are just testing the trigger wire with it disconnected as a load must applied for it to drop out. Also this mower does use a black grounding wire to ground the solenoid metal bracket.

This is the wiring diagram.
https://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/1108184P-00011.png?wid=150&hei=150

[KE4AVB]

PS just add bypassing safeties other for testing is very bad idea.

We had a four old in my area that lost toes and may even end losing a foot because someone bypass the reverse mow inhibit switch and the mower operator back over the kid.

I simply will not do it for customers if nothing else for my peace in mind that I not responsible for things like this.

[hanz63]

Yep, happened to me before with the funky frame ground @ ground wire for the safety line under the rear fender too!

[dart451]

There wouldn't be 12v at the solenoid if the PTO or brake switches were bad. Of course the brake/clutch must be depressed and the PTO in off position. If either is operating backwards then someone has install the wrong switch or been bypassing them. These two safeties are different. I ran to one that was starting without depressing the brake/clutch because someone installed the PTO safety switch in place of the original brake/clutch switch.

Since you have 12v at the trigger terminal I hope this is with the wire plugged in then you have a bad ground or a return ground drop out. As 38 mention a bad connection on the positive side can cause a false reading if the you are just testing the trigger wire with it disconnected as a load must applied for it to drop out. Also this mower does use a black grounding wire to ground the solenoid metal bracket.

This is the wiring diagram.
https://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/1108184P-00011.png?wid=150&hei=150

I didn't notice a black ground wire from the solenoid unless it's the one plugged into the other spade next to the white wire. I will disconnect the grounds, clean them and reconnect them...see if that helps. You know, the owner told me that she ran over her trickle charge near the back of the mower prior to me getting the mower. However, she said the mower ran after that...I'll check under the mower, see if I can locate any problems...

[dart451]

Ok, I checked the ground under the left rear fender, took it off, cleaned it, reattached it...ground is good. However, I checked for voltage and continuity at the solenoid. Like before, I get 12v at the inside terminal. When I turn the key to start, the white wire gets energized. One thing I noticed though checking continuity, if I check for ground on the small black wire...I get a good ground with the key off. However, when I turn the key to start, the ground goes bye bye! I would think the ground should still be grounded!? I took off the ignition switch, sprayed with some WD40 to clean it a bit but it's still the same. BAD ignition switch perhaps??