How a Lawn Tractor Ignition Switch Works - Test, Diagnose, Fix

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Finally, I found a KZbin video which actually shows and explains something electrical that I can get my head around! Electrical is the one facet of automotive and small engine work that has always escaped me. Really simple, clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much! You've earned another sub based on this one video! I look forward to checking out more of your work. :)

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks you so much for the kind words! I wouldn't say all of my videos are quite as instructive, but hopefully there is something useful you can find in most of them. Again, thanks so much!

[@57Dalv]

Agreed! Exactly the same comments from me. Thanks for a great video

[@dragonsmk1812]

This is best explanation of how the electrical system works on a riding mower, and how it relates to the key switch that I've found. Thank you very much for the research and tutorial you created. Youve given me an understanding on how to troubleshoot my riding mower I've had trouble with for couple months. Luckily for now, it's been very hot, and no rain in TX, giving me time to skip the grass control. Awesome video !!!!

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much for the kind words, and good luck with your mower!

[@rvalens2]

What a superb video. Most of the time I'm left shaking my head trying to understand what the heck the guy/gal is trying to explain. You boiled it down to the basics and made it easy to understand how the key switch works. Not only that, you have taught me what all the wiring in a lawn tractor does. That for me is important because in a few days, I am going to have to rewire a newer Briggs & Stratton engine (Intek 17.5hp) to my old Craftsman riding tractor (1997). Your video has made that job much easier for me because now I know what wires I need to connect - and to where - to make the engine run. You have also changed the way I look at schematic diagrams forever. I no longer fear them. You sir are a great teacher. I know most people would just throw out that old Craftsman mower. But in my case, it holds a lot of sentimental value because it belonged to my parents. It's also built like a tank with all metal parts. I've rebuilt the brakes, replaced the wheel bushings with bearings, installed flat roller bearings to make it easier to turn, put new blades and spindles on the mower's deck and put new tires and lights on it. With a new engine it should last another 25-years. At some point, I'll repaint it. But for now, it looks great. Thanks again.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you for the kind note. Enjoy the repairs on your mower!

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

@@Buckwsr My wiring is like a rats nest, IF I snail mailed you a photo of EACH current connection AT the motor, solonoid, key switch could you draw me a simple diagram as in your picture?

[@stephenvarney334]

You make the complicated into simple . I even called troybilt it’s like the guy didn’t know . THANK YOU

[@LifenSantaBarbara]

Thanks for simplifying things where us regular people can understand!

[@robertbaumann960]

This video does help me to understand the basics of troubleshooting the ignition switch of a riding lawn mower. Thank you for taking the time to show us KZbinrs!!!😊

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, Robert.

[@kirkboudreaux4112]

What a great instructional video, that anyone can understand! This is how I would show people how things work. Thanks so much for taking the time to do this. It has helped me troubleshoot a starting problem on a mower. Thanks again.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you for the kind words, Kirk. And good job fixing your mower!

[@allanwrench]

Amazing video, that explained it perfectly. What would I do without videos like this!

[@incognito9510]

Thank you ! That was the easiest to understand ignition switch test procedures 👍🏽. And your diagram also made perfect sense and showed the three safety switches that may prevent power going to the solenoid even if your ignition switch is good. 🙏🏼. Thanks for taking the time to make and produce this video.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, my hidden friend....

[@crs290]

Great video. You remind me of an electrical engineer I used to know. He could never answer a question without explaining the function behind the answer. I always walked away knowing what the problem was and how the solution worked. Thanks again!

[@Buckwsr]

Ha ha! Knowledge is power, as they say. Glad the video was valuable to you.

[@alvinwilliams1648]

The future with lawnmowers involved with my life will be so much different, thanks for ppl. like you neighbor !... eastern N.C. 4th generation...👍🙋👍🙋👍🙋👍

[@Buckwsr]

Oh yeah! We're changing the future one lawnmower at a time!

[@CYPBUNKE]

Hi there, just to say this has saved me a huge amount of money and time. A thumping good video. Thanks from the UK.

[@SCROWMD]

Answered perfectly. Thank you. Great and simple explanation of the starting circuit,.

[@servihomestead4324]

Very clear and helpful. Thanks for explaining the ignition switch.

[@rcknrbn01]

Thanks for putting all this in an easy to understand format. I had replaced the battery and solenoid on my old John Deere STX38 but determined I had a faulty ignition switch thanks to this video.

[@Buckwsr]

That's great news. Good job on the diagnosis and repair!

[@sluggonotnancy6178]

I had a brand new John Deere STX 38, and it had electrical problems from the day they delivered it to me. It failed to start then, and they took it back. Brought it back a week later. Worked a few times, then....click, click, click...nothing. That went on for the whole "warranty period". What a piece of crap. I finally found that the easiest, quickest solution to the STX 38 electrical problems was a stick of dynamite tucked neatly under the engine. No more STX 38 problems...and no more John Deere products allowed here.

[@lawsonstallings1955]

Very thorough, and easy to understand.

[@Tahimate]

Excellent drawing and explanation. I am glad you explain terminal "L" as the fuel solenoid. Other explain it as Light.

[@Buckwsr]

Some tractors do not have the anti-backfire solenoid at the carburetor, so I guess it's possible that the "L" terminal supplies power to the lights on some tractors. Of course, the tractor I used in this example does not have lights! And the wiring diagram sure helps in identifying where the wires are all going. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@bnhamilton]

Great explanation! Thanks for the info. You should do one on how to open a switch, clean and repair it, and re-assemble it.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the note. If your switch doesn't work, it's easiest to just go online and buy yourself a new one!

[@bnhamilton]

@@Buckwsr Probably true, but I'm a little on the cheap side:) Actually, I enjoy a challenge. I had already taken the switch apart and thoroughly cleaned it (easy task with this switch), but I didn't use match marks so I wasn't sure which of the three possible positions was correct. I just tried all three positions and used your video to get the right one. I think the switch is better than a new one now.

[@Buckwsr]

Wow. Great job. Sounds like you're the guy to make that next video!

[@bnhamilton]

@@Buckwsr Maybe one day I'll learn how to do that too. Still working on my small engine skills right now.

[@CHIBA280CRV]

Very informative video sir, I thank you for the help.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@NoName-hf9vy]

Gravely z260 has 6 terminals?

[@MartyFanelli]

Do you happen to know if you can use a four-position switch on a tractor that uses a 3-position switch.

[@drewpearson9508]

How does the switch itself go back together after the back fell off there's two springs. And two copper contacts

[@Buckwsr]

At that point I'd just order a new switch.

[@fredrickvoncold]

If you were testing for spark , would you just unplug the magneto kill wire ?

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, unplugging the kill wire would work. Of course, with the key switch in the run or start position, there should be no continuity to ground/battery negative on that kill wire.....

[@ChristopherDAmico]

JNice diagram/schematic explanation. But, just wonder how you hook up an OLD and obsolete four terminal stop/start/run ignition switch with M1 and M2 and B and S with any of the new possible replacements...

[@Buckwsr]

I'm sure you can find the correct key switch for your machine. You can get pretty much anything these days. If you can find the part number, somebody out there has one for sale.

[@ragnaralmighty]

What you calling the magneto is that the ignition coil

[@Buckwsr]

Yes, same thing. And the key switch in the off position grounds out the coil/magneto to shut down the engine.

[@michalexander8287]

Thanks for video. This explanation was great!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

A lot of people call a magneto a coil, but they are actually different, yet provide the same electrical charge to fire spark plugs.

[@josmith5459]

Thank you for the video very helpful and easy to understand.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Jo!

[@KitoSan828]

Great information. Why can't we save it??

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the note. Can you download the video? Or is that only available to youtube premium subscribers?

[@KitoSan828]

@@Buckwsr Yes, apparently its only available to premium subscribers. There is no opportunity to download it either. Thanks for the response.

[@Buckwsr]

@@KitoSan828 Yes, I'm a premium subscriber. Worth every penny, as I NEVER have to watch any advertisements.

[@wilbernp264]

Thank You this will show me how I should troubleshoot

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you and good luck

[@wilbernp264]

@@Buckwsr Between my work schedule and my mower being down my neighbors got me down 3-0 on the grass being cut

[@cornfusedatbest3980]

I hope you're still out there. I haven't had any problems until recently with starting my JD GX1542 Hydro. I checked the ignition switch and it seems to be ok. I jumped the solenoid to start it, and I can shut it down with the switch. I bought this mower used and discovered the wiring system had been severely violated, a clump of wires that have been spliced together with different colors. I know I'll have to eventually rewire the whole thing, but can you tell me what I can look for right off hand? Getting on in years, and my sight isn't what it used to be. Thanx for the video.

[@Buckwsr]

Wish I could help. It's just impossible to diagnose something like this long-distance and sight-unseen. Hope you figure it out.

[@cornfusedatbest3980]

@@Buckwsr Thanx for the quick reply. I think I've got it narrowed down to the brake switch. The switch itself is mounted with pop rivets that are starting to give way (this can't be factory?) causing the switch not to engage completely. Anyway, that would be my guess as to the problem. Thanx again.

[@Buckwsr]

@@cornfusedatbest3980 That should be easy enough to test. Good luck!

[@leocruz3037]

Thanks for your time and knowledge. You made it very easy for me to comprender. Blessings to you! LoL!

[@Buckwsr]

Gracias por watching y comentar....!

[@saupham8192]

Excellent job. Thank you very much sir.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you.

[@joeanderson9852]

What an awesome video 👍

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you.

[@sluggonotnancy6178]

Excellent video. Nice job.

[@tonynewnham3114]

Hi, great video & makes understanding the starting system better! Inevitably, I have a question! My V-Twin turns but won’t fire, unless I release the key. So it starts/fires, but not whilst I have the key in the starting position, only when it returns to the run position 🤦‍♂️

[@Buckwsr]

Odd. I would start by using inline spark testers to verify if you have spark while cranking the engine. If in fact you don't, remove the engine shroud and disconnect the kill wire from both ignition coils. Then try to start the engine. That might give you some direction. Beyond that, I'm not sure what to suggest. However, this video is about the key switch. Are you suspecting a problem with the switch? Finally, do some research online among the small engine forums, and you might find someone else who has had a similar problem. Good luck.

[@tonynewnham3114]

@@Buckwsr Thanks for taking the time to reply, I'll give that a shot

[@KillaKliff101]

Amazing explanation, thank you

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much!

[@craigjones1115]

Very clear and helpful. Thank you.

[@jackrussell680]

Any1 know? Dr pull behind with 17hp tecumseh. It has 5 prong key with same letters but also a 8 prong pto. 8 prong has 2 rows of 3 and 1 of 2. Guy pulled wires out and I cant figure the order to put back. Please help

[@nickv5013]

Thanks for making the video!

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Nick!

[@michaelfornell4467]

Good job explaining .

[@RobManVids]

Great video. Explained very well. Thank you for your time

[@williamhaines856]

excellant explanation very clear thanks much apprieciated

[@scottthomson700]

Many thanks for taking the time. Helped lodge it in my head with drawing. Top job.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, Scott, for the kind words. Glad the video helped you.

[@bigstuff52]

Excellent..Concise..Thank you..

[@michaelrixon9172]

Very helpful video. Well done good sir!

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, Michael!

[@hexc0de]

great vid... great explanation... very helpful. thanks!

[@sadbutwedidntstartit]

The diagram also shows the seat switch that looks to ground the magneto / coil if the operator is not seated. So doesn't come into the picture ? Isn't that why when you lean over to pick up stuff in the yard, the mower starts to shut off.

[@Buckwsr]

This video was primarily about the key switch. Check out my other video on safety switches for more info!

[@fergusonto-2032]

This is a very helpful video but I do have a question , when checking the switch for continuity do I unhook the leads or just check it w/ the leads connected ? Thankyou & May God Bless

[@Buckwsr]

Unplug the harness that plugs into the back of the key switch so you can put your tester directly on the terminals on the key switch. You might need an extra set of hands to hold the switch into the spring loaded "start" position.

[@myronmacdonald1322]

Buckwsr should

[@vincep1c156]

Great explanation, thanks!

[@dariuspocius4210]

Very very thanks. Help me vedy much

[@AsianBlackR3501]

Good Job. It is very good video.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Larry. Glad it helped.

[@REVNUMANEWBERN]

DANG, I can't seem to win with these YT on HOW to rewire my tractor, either the diagrams are too confusing or what they are working on is a spegitti mess like mine, all I need is to take the switch & show EACH connection

[@trouts4444]

Very nice video with very good explanations and schematic. In the opening part you use, "that is >>probably>probably

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you for watching and weighing in with your thoughts.

[@gus892]

I understood " L " was lights .

[@seanseanseanseansean]

This is a super lesson.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you!

[@cindystreet3153]

Holy finger nails...good video thanks

[@Plasma216]

Thank-you, love your site, I learned alot...

[@brockrottom8922]

Maybe an uninformed question, but why does it have 5 pins on the starter? Couldn't it be reduced to 3?

[@basharal-qawasmeh4156]

liked and subscribed. Good video

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much

[@rickd5997]

Thank you this will help me with my engine swap

[@tboneproductions2453]

Nice video. Thank you

[@salvatoresireci2450]

THANK YOU 👍

[@tee-fx9ko]

thanks good video

[@johnsargeant2041]

Thank You for help...

[@johnsargeant2041]

I ended up having a bad connection on the back of the starter switch.

[@Buckwsr]

Good job figuring it out. Feels good to fix stuff!

[@John-gj1jr]

Microsoft Works? I'm thrilled to know there's at least one more Neanderthal out there. It's lonely at the bottom too. Now, if I could just find my club. I know it's in the cave somewhere. But don't you love Works' simplicity? Good video, by the way.

[@Buckwsr]

What? Did I say Microsoft WORKS? I must have misspoken. I actually used Microsoft WORD to print out the wiring diagrams. But hey, I'm using the 2010 version of WORD, so I am at least somewhat out of date, ha ha! I remember years ago that Microsoft works used to come free with the purchase of a computer. Thank you for your note, and for enjoying the video!

[@John-gj1jr]

@@Buckwsr You may have said "Word". That was another great program that has been replaced with some incomprehensible behemoth some egghead hatched trying to justify his or her job. Change for the sake of change. It's why I enjoy working on simple stuff, things you can see how they work.

[@Bacardienergy]

Hi can u send me this photo pls

[@billmccowan3295]

Thanks

[@senslotesareth1399]

Thank you

[@daniellemay7161]

Thank's

[@maienduo]

Great infor. Subscribe

[@philliphall5198]

But remember it’s a bad battery 95% of the time, load tester or take it to parts store for tests 😮 Just saying 😊

[@williamhaines856]

great

[@tdmmcl1532]

very basic. and not really helpful other than understanding very basic function under NORMAL conditions of the ignition switch. what is the ground is bad on the frame/chasis? what if the anti-back fire solenoid is faulty or wire damage? what if the safety switches are broken or connection are corroded/gunked up? what is the fuse is bad...yes many mowers have fuses. what if the pto switch is bad, or connector is broken? what if the start solenoid is bad? what if the starter motor/solenoid at the flywheel is bad? what if the ignition coil is bad? what if the battery show 12 plus volts but it's producing cranking power? low state of charge? what if the internal lock and contacts of the ignition switch is corroded, and there are shorts, dea shorts, shorts to ground? these are ALL very real failures that happen often. again, this video is helpful from an overview of how the ignition switch operates NORMALLY... but this isn't going to be helpful when you actually need to troubleshoot the ignition system as a whole system approach.

[@Buckwsr]

I'm pretty sure the title of this video limits its content to that of the IGNITION SWITCH, not to diagnosing every possible electrical problem a tractor may have....

[@haraldversteegden2562]

Nice vid

[@ben4735]

Great job explaining this. Thank you.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Ben!