How to Diagnose, Test, and Replace Bad Starter Solenoid on Riding Lawn Mower

Hello everyone! In this video I go over how to diagnose, test, and replace a faulty starter solenoid on a riding lawn mower. I used a Universal Solenoid that I purchased from the Home Depot. The process is very similar with most if not all Lawn Tractors. Some Mowers have the Solenoid mounted in front of the tractor, and some under the battery box. The Universal Solenoid used in this video has both brackets for mounting in those two locations. If you have any questions, feel free to comment! If you enjoyed the video and found it helpful, kindly give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing! I plan to make videos on a weekly basis, and will be covering a vast array of things. Thanks for watching!
Here's a link to a Solenoid similar to the one I used in this Video:
amzn.to/3TCPeR4
Disclaimer: Links are affiliate links. You don't pay anything extra but l may earn a small commission. If you decide to purchase a product, please consider supporting the channel by doing so through my links. Your support is greatly appreciated!
For Help with replacing a Drive Belt on Your Riding Lawn Mower, check out this video:
• How To Remove and Repl...
For those who have nothing better to do but be concerned about the cleanliness of my 17 year old lawn mower, here is a special video for you!
• 7 Minutes of Me Cleani...
P.S.
Sorry for the quiet and not so confident speech. This was my first KZbin video where I actually spoke. Also, I was trying not to be too loud so my neighbors didn't think I was talking to myself. I now realize that I don't care what they think. I can stand in my yard and talk to my tripod if I want to.
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[@morganmend]

Here's a link to a Solenoid similar to the one I used in this Video: amzn.to/3TCPeR4 (affiliate link) My World Famous Murray Still Lives. Come see for yourself. kzbin.infoKT2WxiRLtuY?si=JgV09PE1BGayQToy Please join me in Celebrating my World Famous 2003 Murray Select, as it enters its 20th year of service. From June 2004, all the way through present day, this Murray Select has mowed my lawn (and the lawns of others) with unwavering resilience. Celebrate this huge milestone by watching all the videos in the playlist: My World Famous Murray Select kzbin.info/aero/PLHqAgvKzdD5x18tmEKRGhzibze4Ark5qA&si=u48zYnRZ4LYIuTJD

[@markkrugle2926]

Like the video, but clean your mower area before putting new parts on it. I hit everything with air and washer before I put a wrench to any I work on. And proper tools are a MUST. Keep up the good work, you're very informative of the diagnosis. 👍

[@AerialAcesRC13]

Been resto-modding a older Murray 12/38 (91'-96'?) as my grandfathers FIRST EVER rider in over 60+ yrs!!! At first our little old Murray was showing the EXACT SAME symptoms as yours!! This video and information was VERY helpful, even for a "experienced" back-yard wrench-turner! So keep up the good work, and appreciate the content! Every one eventually needs assistance in a project, and this was ours. Very happy it was a cheap and super easy fix. Plus, lord KNOWS i despise the electrical side of the machines...

[@morganmend]

Thanks for your comment and for your kind words! Very happy to hear I was able to help you in completing your project. That’s the reward for me in all of this. Made my day!

[@MrTaylorfenoglio]

Ty so much for actually showing what it sounds like when you first started to crank it. Nobody was showing that and it helped greatly 🙏

[@morganmend]

Taylor Fenoglio thanks for the comment! Glad to have been able to help you out!

[@thedotcomdude1]

Well done! When I got my replacement solenoid from Lowes, it had an extra spade connector, which tossed a monkey wrench into the whole process. Thanks!

[@morganmend]

Patrick Schuessler thank you very much for the comment! Very glad to hear that the video helped you out!

[@georgevaughanjr3796]

Just what I needed to know, I am going to attempt this in the morning

[@ronaldoverstreet4770]

Great video,straight forward and not alot of useless info,thanks

[@shoehorny6844]

Thanks for the video! It was very informative. I have a suggestion: Blow out that squirrel's nest in the solenoid area with an air compressor. What a mess! Thanks.

[@morganmend]

shoehorny thanks for the comment! I actually just put the hose from the shop vac on the exhaust side and blow debris off that way. Air is definitely the way to go because water just traps in additional moisture.

[@glenngrymes6553]

Ditto!!!

[@laurabarry4088]

Not sure why the dislikes. You explain everything very clearly. Even, demonstrating multiple times to make sure we get the idea. People are so ungrateful. Well, I for one am grateful for you taking time out of your life to make this video. This video will help me greatly In changing solenoid on my lawn mower. Thank you, Tooltek md

[@jamespatton3500]

Iv been looking for a good video for 3 days thank you for posting this

[@morganmend]

worst Thank you for watching and thanks your comment! I’m glad to hear that you found the video to be useful!

[@frommyyard]

Thank you very much ..I've been messing with my mower for a while now . Great job ,much appreciated

[@morganmend]

Thanks! Glad you found the video useful!

[@jeffreyb1274]

You were right . Thanks

[@morganmend]

You’re welcome!

[@jona4539]

Was a lil difficult to hear him speaking. Was glad to see the actual work being done instead of speed up motion or phases of completion. Would suggest to clean out debris from the compartment while the area is disassembled. Glad to see the lawnmower actually start in the video.

[@morganmend]

Thanks for watching and commenting, this was my first video, and ironically, my most viewed. I’d like to think I’ve since improved a bit. Glad you found it to be informative!

[@molly7871]

I hate to be a negative Ned but.... just remember you are doing a video and when your ratchet hits the side of the mower it's loud. I turn the volume down then miss what you say when you start talking again. Just be mindful so you have the best video possible. Thanks for the video.

[@jayrobertson1689]

Very good video,someone said you didn't mention disconnected battery but you did,well done sir

[@morganmend]

Jay Robertson thank you very much sir!

[@jayrobertson1689]

Ok!so I went to Home depot,found the very solenoid$12.87,put it on almost exactly as you showed(mine is side mount) works perfectly!oh yeah the parts place wanted$67 for same part!thank you very much...indeed

[@jayrobertson1689]

Only thing I didn't use that ground wire because it wasn't like that on my old one,is that a big mistake?

[@morganmend]

Jay Robertson you will be fine it must be grounded elsewhere

[@morganmend]

Jay Robertson very glad to hear that you saved some money!

[@kenbarnett9759]

A lot of work to do this show and like it

[@gregstovka]

Thanks for posting ToolTel MD, i recently found the same old tractor at a yard sale, going to fix it and resale it

[@morganmend]

Heavy D thanks for watching and commenting! Glad that you found the video to be useful!

[@zacharydonovan674]

This video was very helpful nice work

[@morganmend]

Zachary Donovan Thank you for the positive feedback! Hope you found some use from the video!

[@pamelah.sarvis555]

Thank you for your help.

[@morganmend]

You are very much welcome.

[@powrguy1696]

Number one, CLEAN UP THE AREA WITH COMPRESSED AIR/SHOP VAC, before installing the new part. Let's you see what you're doing, too. Since a GOOD ground is essential on the solenoid, why not clean the surface area with a wire brush, so the base of the solenoid makes good contact?. Cleaning up the wiring terminals, before installing on the new solenoid, is also a good way to avoid future problems with corrosion/bad contact connections. Otherwise, the sequence and process explanation was good.

[@kiddiescripterkiller]

You forgot to mention disconnect the battery... if you had a battery in the mower you were working on, sparks would have been flying when you were unwiring the solenoid.

[@morganmend]

kiddiescripterkiller I didn’t have a battery. You can make a video and mention removing or disconnecting your battery before proceeding, if you have a battery.

[@johnnywriight]

He said he turned the jump pack off

[@ghulabkhan762]

Good morning

[@crazydaisy3034]

Thank you

[@jsmith3259]

Thanks man. This helped.

[@morganmend]

Very glad to hear! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@lankogaming9458]

Does it matter which starter i buy? My motor is xl/c 11.5

[@petehuebner8231]

well done! easy to understand..may i ask what year and make of your lawn mower? have an old craftsman..was told starter was done..maybe not after this vid,,lol parts are hard to find it seems..thx pete

[@morganmend]

Thank you for the comment Pete! The Mower in this video is a 2003 Murray Select Model No. 425001X8A. It’s Been a great mower! Wishing you luck with your mower!

[@13bravoredleg18]

It will also start easier if you adjust the valves. Decompression lobe is on the camshaft.

[@davidruiz5383]

I took off the solenoid (old had one slot for ground and new has two) and look identical as yours. But I was confused with the green wire for ground it has and the ground wire include in new solenoid. Can you help. Thanks

[@3ricky13]

I got same mower just happen starter is good. thanks over 20 years old

[@morganmend]

Richard Brenner they are great mowers! Thanks for the comment!

[@timweb1510]

What if you don’t hear any click from the solenoid sir? I also pulled out the switch and bench tested all of them. Thanks

[@MickyWhite247]

Should I unhook the battery before replacing the solenoid?

[@esaumoreno7405]

Yes

[@carlthornton3076]

Very Good!

[@skottys3]

The copper washers go into the nut ,put wire on first ,then washer ,nut

[@michaelchamberlain4254]

Very informative!!!

[@morganmend]

Michael Chamberlain thank you very much. So glad you found the video to be helpful.

[@MrVa3smc]

My mtd yard machine lawn mower is having a starting issue, I turn the key and it just clicks. The one that’s in there is a 3 post, I ordered one from Lowe’s and it has 4 posts, how do I wire that up?

[@markwoten4774]

Everything looks good except the battery red supply cable is too close to the steering shaft (wear after a while) and I'd use an air hose and blow out all the stuff (crap) out of that area prior to installing the new solenoid.

[@morganmend]

Mark Woten Thanks For the comment. I made sure no wires were touching anything, decent gap between the shaft and the wire. Good stiff wire as well so no worries about it flexing if the mower bounces. I found that a Shop vac works pretty well for cleaning debris off the mower kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ-9YnR7aL5gl8U

[@sayeddesoky3043]

Gr8

[@morganmend]

Thank you!

[@drchan5893]

great video sir, I put the earth lead on (to the engine block ) and power straight to the starter and still nothing if i just hook up the battery the solenoid sounds like a jackhammer, somehow i have lost power to the starter motor. it wound over a few times and now nothing i checked the fuses all good i have the early model Cub Cadet Hydro drive. the battery is a 12v 90A truck battery and this bastard will not start. it ran really good then it sat for 1yr and now nothing.

[@morganmend]

Thank you my friend!

[@aaroncauley6104]

I recommen next time to clean the area before you install

[@kiddiescripterkiller]

He doesn't bother to keep his tools clean and rust free, so why bother cleaning anything else? I always power wash all the crap off a mower so I can see what is going on. Bad wiring, oil leaks, etc... and not to mention, I'm not getting dirty or shit falling in my eyes if I have to do something under the mower.

[@morganmend]

kiddiescripterkiller that was a $10 target set of tools given to me as a cheap Christmas present. Half of the tools broke under normal circumstances. Why bother keeping them clean? My good tools are kept clean and fully charged. Thanks for your concern.

[@morganmend]

Dogue Cub thank you very much sir. So glad that you found the video to be informative and got some use out of it!

[@stevenjones2437]

@@kiddiescripterkiller yep looked little dirty .. longs as the ground on body has good contact looks dirty as hell but hey it runs ..

[@charltoncastillo1151]

How to check a coil

[@johncollins8304]

"Some Mowers have the Solenoid mounted in front of the tractor, and some under the battery box." Wish I'd come across this before!! I assumed solenoids were on or next to the starter. Since one reason for having these switches is to avoid having to use thick wiring so it never occurred to me to look at the back!! And what a palava to get it out!! Was just hearing clicking when I turned the key, but will bench test tomorrow. My twelve-figure reference starts 812. I found one -- but it's 600€! There's an 862 for 12€ and the only difference I see is it's 4-post while mine is 3-post. So I just to add a ground to one of the two spare terminals. Any ideas, anyone? Thanks.

[@victoryfirst2878]

You should of cleaned the metal under the solenoid. A clean ground spot is critical. Especially dealing with electricity. Just saying fella. VF

[@morganmend]

shoulda coulda woulda. TTMD

[@victoryfirst2878]

@@morganmend Yes and done that too. Good day VF

[@stewartpearsall4699]

I tried that with a brand new solenoid and it still didn't kick over does that mean my starter is bad

[@morganmend]

Stewart Pearsall could be a number of things. Try jumping the starter directly as shown in this video. If it turns then you know it’s good, and then from there you would check your battery as well as all connections. If the starter doesn’t turn when jumped directly, then it will need to be replaced.

[@stewartpearsall4699]

Ty I will try it and let you no

[@morganmend]

Stewart Pearsall definitely do!

[@kingcowboys2425]

Just replace mines lol ik it wasn't my battery just brought it

[@morganmend]

Good work! Glad you solved your problem

[@user-ny8tv1dy8h]

why is the mower so filthy? Gosh it needs blowing off or some type of cleaning!

[@morganmend]

Ha! You’re not the first to say this nor will you be the last. Here’s all you need to know: Bet My Mower Mows Better Than Yours! #lawncare #lawnmower #murray #mowing #20thanniversary kzbin.infoMBGsnzwE5Bw?feature=share

[@jamesgeorge1709]

Did you not take advantage and clean the unit up.

[@morganmend]

No. Why don't you come clean it for me?

[@jamesgeorge1709]

@@morganmend maybe tomorrow

[@morganmend]

@@jamesgeorge1709 yeah that works for me it's still kicking. Perhaps a detailing would do it some good.

[@user-zm7it1wc6o]

Y Wait, Show Us More of Waised Time Doesn’t WORK

[@morganmend]

Reading and replying to this comment was a waised of my time

[@Jangle121]

3SLAM SLAM SLAM 33 SLAM A2

[@Pugster1201]

Jangle121 uhh...seven?

[@gilbertogarcia1477]

Please next time clean the area

[@markkrugle2926]

Dude really, take some pride in your work and clean your mower. Putting new part in without cleaning FFS. And get some air or electric tools and proper sockets.

[@mrreals3973]

😂 right.. lazy fucker

[@danvincent8269]

That is one nasty looking tractor.

[@morganmend]

Dan Vincent it’s seen it’s share of use

[@bsomers7587]

I don’t need to see you loosen nuts. Jesus!!!

[@morganmend]

I couldn’t care less about what you need to and don’t need to see. Jesus!!!