How to Check a Solenoid on a Craftsman 18 HP Mower

The solenoid hyperlinks the ignition to this starter on Craftsman lawn (Salt Lake City, UT). A turn of the key in the ignition closes a circuit which conducts a charge from your battery to the starter engine. Lots can fail using engines, however nothing operates with no solenoid, an electromagnet bolted into the human anatomy near the battery. One cable connects the battery to the first bolt in addition to the solenoid and one from the second bolt connects to the starter engine. A little wire at the bottom of this solenoid unit connects the ignition and key. Checking the functioning of the solenoid is a fundamental operation accomplished by using a voltmeter.

Open and tilt the hood off the front of the tractor to expose the engine.

Locate the solenoid near the battery and then identify which large line comes from the battery and which goes to the starter engine. Find the ignition connector — a knife connection — near the bottom of the unit. A second knife connector on the lower part of this solenoid, if present, allows use of a wire to Landscaping design Salt Lake City the unit.

Turn the ignition key and then listen to the “click” as the circuit at the solenoid closes. The unit may be worn out or flawed if you don’t hear a click.

Check the connection from the ignition by touching the voltmeter’s red lead into the connection near the foundation and turning the key in the ignition. Landscaping design Phoenix the voltmeter’s black lead on the tractor’s body. A fantastic connection will read near 12 volts — lower readings indicate a short in the ignition, not just the solenoid.

Verify input power by studying the line from the battery at the bolt on top of the solenoid. Landscaping front of house San Diego the voltmeter’s black guide on the tractor’s body and touch the bolt to the solenoid using the red lead. It should register approximately 12 volts — the battery’s ability. Otherwise, the problem is using the battery.

Connect the red lead into the next bolt which secures the line into the starter engine using the black Landscaping design Fresno, CA connected to the tractor’s body. Turn the key and check the reading. A 12-volt reading means the solenoid is performing its own job and the problem is somewhere down the line. There’ll be no volts registered if the solenoid doesn’t connect.

Examine the solenoid by “jumping” it. Combine the top bolts using a screwdriver or eliminate the lead from the battery from the very first post and touch it to the second. If the engine just cranks by leaping, the solenoid is probably the problem.