It seems we have more scientist than mechanics on the list. I haven't worked with solenoid ignitions in over 20 years, but I sketched the diagram, traced the wires (God, I hate engineers) and reached my decision as two physicists wrote me to explain why I the way I knew was the way it worked, had to work that way. You guys are no slow coaches.
I used to know small engine backwards and forwards, but it has been a long, long time since I needed that knowledge. After a few hours of wire mapping, knuckle busting, and greasy hands, a mental book slid out of long-term storage, and the lawn tractor is OK. Or, it will be come tomorrow. I lost the light, along with a 7/16 inch bolt, and the energy to finish the job this evening. I found the bolt, but elected to alter the body a bit. The battery well is now removable. There is a nice sized opening to reach into the steel box that is the rear frame of the trackter. If I hadn't had to spend the better part of an hour and a half looking for the stupid nuts and bolts I knocked off the back of the darn thing I'd have mowed some weeds today. If anyone has a deep need to know how the ingnition solenoid functions, and how it is connected to the rest of the vehical, write me off-line. I prepared some text to post and sent it to a couple of people to proof for logic errors. A solenoid is a pretty simple device. It is a 12 volt circuit with three states: Key on - two (through) posts on & magnet off - One live circuit. Key start - two (through) posts on & magnet on - Two circuits active, one engaging the starter, and one providing power to the engine. Key off (or removedZ) - no circuits active. magnet off. Battery isolated. Write me off-list for the in=depth version of a basic small engine ignition system. Again. Thanks@ ===== Warmest Regards, Doug Riddle An opptimist thinks the glass is half full. A pessimist thinks it is half empty. A realist knows that someone is going to have to wash the glass. I am a realist. I buy plastic drink cups. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - File online by April 15th http://taxes.yahoo.com/filing.html
