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Neighbor Mike, if its one of the typical small engine starter solenoids, I test them by using a lil jumper wire and momentarily connect the big cable (from battery) solenoid post over to the lil solenoid activation terminal to see if it pulls in/engages. That, of course, requires the big battery cable to be hot and its connected direct to the + on the battery. The more common problem when the starter doesnt run is NOT cuz the solenoid is bad but because when you put the key switch or starter switch in the crank position it isnt sending a hot voltage down to the solenoids lil activation terminal. That can be caused by a bad switch or a blown fuze or sometimes those connectors go bad or maybe a safety/limit switch like on the seat or the blade engager or the neutral switch is bad or open. To test that simply place a test lamp on the solenoids lil activation terminal and put the switch in the crank position to see if it lights up, meaning the switch and wiring down to the solenoid is all okay. Again, if the solenid fails to engage when voltage is applied to its lil activation terminal, its either bad or isnt well grounded. If the solenoid pulls in and if its good the starter ought to spin unless its bad also. I test them by using a heavy jumper cable to apply hot battery voltage direct to its (starter) post and then it spins if its good. That test by passes the solenoid alltogether in case its bad. DONT FORGET TO TEST ALL THE SAFETY/LIMITS SWITCHES (seat sat on, blade disengaged, tranny in neutral, clutch or brake depressed, etc etc etc),,,,, ,then for blown fuses,,,,, ,then for voltage on the solenoid when in the cranking position,,,,, then test the solenoid to see if it engages,,,,, ,then test the starter direct. John T in Bloomington, Indiana
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