How To: Re-Wire a Riding Lawn Mower

Push Button Ignition (Newer models may require more wiring for anti-backfire solenoid)
A really simple wiring system that will charge your battery. Great for use on racing lawn mowers, and off road mowers who want to bypass all safety switches.

[@jimmyclark6879]

I have watched probably 10-12 rewiring videos and you by far made it look so easy. Best video yet

[@andycassidy582]

Same. This is the video explained exactly how I needed it.

[@kaimanaascino4106]

​@@andycassidy582î

[@chromedontgetyouhome]

Best video I've seen so far. Simple and to the point. Stays on topic, no talking about family, pets, or life in general. And not 45 minutes long!!!

[@donsuhan4149]

I got a Lawn Tractor for free. It had bad wiring and would not run. I followed the video and now I have a Lawn Tractor to pull my Yard Cart. Great Job

[@SuperSadom]

This is a very sturdy and well built mower. I thought I wouldn't like the foot operated speed control but after one use kzbin.infoUgkxTZSPVwJFBv2hORqhQamtxi-tAe5K2EtC , I can't believe I ever had one without it. It drives like a car with an automatic transmission. Easy to adjust mowing speed according to grass depth/thickness. I have yet to get used to the long throw of the blade engagement lever but kind of get why it is that way. It allows you to hold mowing for short moments if you need. The engine seems very substantial and the frame has very little flex, both adding up to an impressive package. All my previous tractors were 18 to21 hp with 42in decks. This one is 23/46. I mow about 1.5 acres about every 5 days here in Alaska and that mowing time has been reduced by about 20%, partly due to the very tight turning radius. No loop arounds lol. Hour meter, cruise control, reverse mowing capability,deck cleanout and easy assembly all add up to a very well thought out tractor.

[@budget_hobbies87]

one of the best rewire videos I have come across.

[@cindynelson3746]

Incredible. Exactly the info I needed. Thank you so much!

[@troyfomby3452]

Like others have said the best video I've watched so far on the subject. No useless babbling about what a safety switch is and endless rattling on about BS nobody cares about!! Thanks man!

[@montanaman1958]

This video saved me thousands! I re wired my mower and I saved enough money to go fishing! It is people such as yourself that make America wonderful! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!

[@SuperHification]

Great video, got my old Lawnflte 504 running for the first time since I picked it up off eBay. Bypassing all he crazy safety switches and simplifying the loom and wham it started. Totally made my day Cheers man.

[@GenevaCustoms]

Fearless! Thanks for that wiring diagram. I just used it on my craftsman rear engine rider. Thanks again man!

[@tsvguy]

Seen a lot of dodgy things on here that I shake my head at. But my ignition stopped, I bought 1 press switch,, 1 On Off switch. Followed this guys basics and works like a dream, still have all the safety switches working too.

[@johnallcote7153]

What a cleaver guy you are. Not because you have the skills to do this it's the conferdent and super way you explain everything. Ideal for an old man like me. . Thank you again

[@Fearlessfront]

the 2 wires come from the stator, which is like an alternator... there usually isn't a regulator, but I have messed with anything that new so I dont know for sure

[@Giorgio_Rampa]

Thank you very much for making this video!! I followed your steps and mid way found a way to keep an original switch (no need to add those two switches that you're mentioning). Regardless, couldn't have gotten it done without this video. Thank you again!

[@codyswilley]

Can you tell me how you kept the original key switch

[@Giorgio_Rampa]

@@codyswilley at the 41 seconds mark, he has a diagram, a regular lawn tractor switch can work with that diagram (no need to put a toggle), you just have to wire it correctly. Match the switch's diagram to the one in this video.

[@codyswilley]

@@Giorgio_Rampa I just finished it about 10 mins ago. Suoer easy if you just use your mind. I appreciate it anyway. I bought this craftsman lawnmower. And somebody put a Kohler 16hp engine on it and they literally had 3 wiring harnesses together. I already fixed it and mowed with it.

[@Giorgio_Rampa]

@@codyswilley glad you got it to work! 👍🏽

[@codyswilley]

@@Giorgio_Rampa only thing I'm not sure of is the 2 wires that come off of the stater. A black one and a green one. The black one had a diode but it was busted when I got it. I hooked it up correctly but the green one I hooked up to solenoid and when I tried starting it it would hum under the flywheel. I unhooked the green one and it runs good. Dont know if it will charge the battery but it runs good lol

[@ThatGuyAlFromThere]

like others have said, best video I've watched trying to get my head around this. Had the fuel tank split on my mower (while mowing...), the mower burst into flames and melted the wiring cover, which shorted the wires and caused the rest of them to melt and catch on fire. Have to completely re-wire the mower and want to eliminate all the unnecessary stuff, just need it to start, stop and engage the pto. Factory wiring diagrams were doing my head in.. contemplated just buying another mower, now have a better grasp to have a crack at re-wiring myself. Your a legend!

[@MEDIC6423]

You are the man. Like others, I have watched a ton of videos addressing starter issues and yours is the simplest by far and the most beneficial. Thank you for doing this one. Please keep them coming.

[@dlf1976]

Dude you're AWESOME!! NOW my mower cranks every time AND the battery charges now. Thank you so much for such a helpful video bro

[@PapiDoesIt]

I followed your wiring instructions and bypassed the safety switches, and cut my foot off the first time I cranked the mower. I'm suing! Just kidding. Your video helped me immensely! I never understood the purpose of all those safety switches, except for the seat switch. It makes sense if you fell off, so the mower wouldn't keep going and run over something or drive itself into the street. But the others seem pointless. I mean, I'm pretty sure if I'm about to crank my mower I'm going to have my foot on the brake and the transmission in neutral. I am also pretty sure I know the blades would start spinning immediately if I cranked it with the mower deck down and the blades engaged. But we live in a world full of idiots with lawyers on speed dial... Again, thanks for helping me get my free mower running with your excellent information! Next step: toggle switch for the headlights. Not that I'll ever mow in the dark, but I use my mowers for hauling stuff too, like logs and such, and moving my teardrop camper around the property.

[@Fearlessfront]

awesome man! I'm glad I could help. I also hate the little nancy-boys that are scared of there own shadow... Drives me crazy.. lol

[@tinderinc]

Fearlessfront Thanks so much I got volunteered into doing this and have no clue how thanks so much!

[@cameronjohnson3677]

FearlessFront (Todd Christopher) I have a red and green wire coming off my solenoid which one do I use

[@arthurbeckett7908]

[@cornpop7805]

I like that this guy isn't afraid to show others all the tricks that it probably took him days to figure out!

[@bif90210]

your the man!!!! Thanks so much for this. You explained everything very clearly!! I always thought I could tackle everything on a mower except wiring, until now!

[@ryanderengowski8620]

I have two wires from the strator, which are black and yellow. what goes to what?

[@truckinchihuahuaalvieschre2494]

ryan derengowski usaly the black is changing and yellow is for your headlights. But not always. Start your engine and use a test light the one that lights up the light brighter is for your headlights. Hope this helps

[@Fearlessfront]

Make sure the solenoid has a good ground, needs bare metal where it mounts. and make sure all the safety switches are in the proper position.

[@robbrewton4960]

Thanks a lot on your comments on the switch on the swisher, it was simple and to the point and the main thing is it worked great. Ken

[@hellboy1468]

You probably won't read this one but just thought I'd say you deserve alot of respect because I've watched like 15 videos and this one is the one that actually showed me what I don't wrongw. So thanks

[@DCopp]

What if the motor has a fuel shut off solenoid on the bowl. Does that go to switched or hot side?

[@AR1G3]

This goes to the switched 12V. But not on the starter solenoid! You need a seperate ignition switch, you hook it op to the input terminal of the starter solenoid, and the other end goes to the fuel shut off. Once you flick the switch you'll allow the dancing pixies to reach the fuel shut off solenoid and it'll open, letting fuel through

[@muddy_armadillo]

I'd reccomend not using it. Just cut the plunger off and put it back in and don't wire it in.

[@Micheal_OS]

+1 on what Tj said I had one on my 17.5 briggs and just ground the plunger off and cut the wires it's just another headache to mess with imo

[@andyjohnson1724]

AR1G3 is right. i had one, and if you don't put a switch on it, it'll slowly flood and/or hydrolock the engine

[@positivenegative6525]

Snake Doc if it’s that new that it has that many electronics, throw it over the hill. It’s junk. Unless you can make your own which is actually pretty much simple. The hard part is being able to mix the air and fuel properly.

[@jeffgraha842]

Great job, and you did all that without cussing, Thanks

[@4236936786]

best rewire video there is, others say there's is simple and go on forever yours is short and to the point. i rewired my murray in 20 mins. thanks a lot.

[@Fearlessfront]

@Otaruihc Thanks man! to answer you q, No, the alternator does like a trickle charge to the + of the battery, only when its running. And the alternator on these motors isn't like what you see on a car. it's stationary. and its wire is hooked up to the side of the solenoid that has constant power. the fuse should be between the alt charge wire and the batt+ terminal. I donno if I put it there or not. Id have to go look, and it's not here right now.

[@gridarmorfix]

Thank you for making a rats nest seem so simple to fix.

[@mr.fixitrite9605]

Bro you are the greatest teacher ever!! Simple, cheap but works. I give you 5 stars

[@Fearlessfront]

@PolarisJD one goes to the battery, the other to your headlights. or cut it off and dont use it. and I was talking about unscrewing the fuel cut thing from the bottom of the carb (unhook the gas first) and snipping the plunger off the top.

[@iamelcapitan]

I appreciate this video, the previous owner of my mower did this and I had to figure out what the F they did when it stopped starting on me. I had it running within 5 minutes of watching your video

[@lmora91]

Dude great video, 12 years later i got this mower that the previous homeowner left behind running.

[@Fearlessfront]

@Stepgeneration they were front tires from a 4 wheeler, they are 20" tall 7" wide

[@Fearlessfront]

@petah14 yup! wires might come out in a different location, but everything else is the same

[@Fearlessfront]

yea, there is. its usually on the back (motor) side of the connector

[@Fearlessfront]

@fearlessforever9 you'll have those wires coming out from under the flywheel, near the starter. sometimes theres one, sometimes theres 2

[@kaydenroveto4710]

thank u todd this is the best mower rewire video ever. im 15 years old and i was able to rewire my 1986 mtd lawnflight 5 speed and it was a breez after watching your video thank u for it

[@Fearlessfront]

@70craftsman red to charge the batt, the other one can be used for headlights, or just cut off.

[@Fearlessfront]

@TheElgorr the push button gets its power from the + batt, then goes to the small terminal on the solenoid. the big red cable goes from the batt +, to one side of the solenoid, the the other large red cable goes from the other big pin on the solenoid, to the starter.

[@Fearlessfront]

@blackduckslayers the red and whit wires are alternator hook ups. you should use one as a recharge, and the other for headlights. the push button gets power from your bat. and sends a small signal to your solenoid, causing it to engage and kick on the starter. sounds like you might have a positive wire contacting a ground if it's smoking.

[@mminc81]

Dang it man! Now you got me on craigslist looking at mowers...

[@waveranger4974]

As always very informative and helpful. Thanks, Todd!

[@garyjordan3181]

RIGHT ON 😃 safety switches are driving me nuts, great info I think I will do this to all my riders 👍

[@keensweep]

Than you for taking the time to create and post this vid. I had been struggling to fix the ignition system on a little tractor and your explanation was enough to gederdun!

[@darkorkodi3582]

Man you are a legend, could not get my head around this one till i watched this, super simple and worked a treat

[@gramps0208]

Thank you, perfect instructional video, simple and to the point.

[@Fearlessfront]

@LEE100462 right, same as I said b4, the BIG red cable goes from the starter to the solenoid only. one of the alternator wires (doesn't matter which one) goes to the BATTERY + side of the solenoid (not the starter cable side), and the other one goes to the headlights or whatever.

[@Fearlessfront]

@CSAKvids yeah, it looks like it used too, but it didn't quite reach on this one. makes sense though.

[@EminemFanatic2500]

thx so much todd i bought a atv beginning of the year and it was pull start only cause someone rigged the wiring harness after i watched ur video it inspired me to do some work on my atv and i done a compleyely new wiring harness and did i mention i just turned 16 on November 20, 2015

[@Fearlessfront]

@TheTubbyKid check the solenoid ground, it has to be clean where it bolts in, thats it's ground. and make sure your other connections are good too. Also, Make sure your battery has a good charge, and if it's still clicking, try tapping it and/or the starter.

[@jessetroyer5877]

Dude my two boys are very happy now for tractor rides today. Thankyou. Works great.

[@Fearlessfront]

@TheRUSSELLBOY it's a + wire, but yeah. it passes though one side and goes to the solenoid switch wire.

[@Fearlessfront]

@LEE100462 cool, thanks, I like hearing that once and a while. I try to make it easy as possible to understand without being too boring, sometimes I dont explain things well enough.

[@Fearlessfront]

no clue, did you leave the diode in the charging wire that comes out from underneath the flywheel? that has to stay there or power will back-feed the stator.

[@Fearlessfront]

@dugan978 yup! you got it, you can use that other wire to power some headlights or whatever as well

[@Fearlessfront]

@MsScooter45 nice work man! I use this setup on most of my machines. The 2 wires your talking about come out behind the starter, right? usually the red wire will be the one to charge the battery, and the white one would go to your headlights. But it really doesn't matter which one does which.

[@Fearlessfront]

@KrankieV2 haha, That toggle I put on there is good for like 20 amps... a little overkill.

[@calebbrowder5727]

I'm glad you do videos like this because its good to learn stuff like that

[@WoodysPerformance101]

I know this is very late for a comment but this helped alot this is one of the only videos I could find to rewire my mudmower fast and simple

[@Fearlessfront]

Cool man! glad u got it figured out!

[@cadenstinson4793]

I had watched lots of videos and could not understand until I watched yours so thank you

[@Fearlessfront]

@scottcuccio this is intended to bypass all the safety switches. if you wire it this way it will run, no matter what, until you kill it.

[@Fearlessfront]

@borntoberebel12 the bigger wire should help. also check your ground on the solenoid, it grounds where it bolts to the frame. make sure the metal is clean. try tapping the solenoid or starter a little bit too, some times they get stuck.

[@TheYamahaist]

I did this to my mower and it works Awesome. No more mess of wires. Thanks for posting this video. Maybe we could go for a ride sometime, I live near Houlton

[@jayross4059]

Thanks, Todd! A neighbor gave me his rider for free because it has ignition/kill switch issues. It's only 10 years old! Anyway, I'll follow your instructions and see if I can get this baby rolling.

[@Fearlessfront]

@mark16443 no problem! I'm glad it worked out for you

[@Fearlessfront]

@greasyredneck My guess is your bushings are loose, either the one where the steering shaft passes though the dash board (theres a little plastic bushing in there) or there are a few more in the steering itself. If you replace those it'll tighten up. You can still get alot of parts from sears.

[@911crackdaddy]

Guys.. this is how to make a how-to video. No bullshit. Just the facts and the accompanying information to understand exactly how it works.. WELL DONE!

[@ijsk7930]

12year old video and still the best and simplest I could find.

[@soopavillain17]

Thank you so much for this video , helped me rewire a mod 90s western auto wizard. From a fellow mainer from rockland.

[@Fearlessfront]

I donno, I haven't run into one of those yet. did the solenoid work before?

[@codyfieldgrove1543]

This video helped me a lot I bought a mower that I'm going to build and it had no wiring at all beside the solenoid it's self thanks a lot😁

[@rex4x4]

This is the second time I've watched this video... Thank you for posting this . I will be using it in the next couple days .

[@mark16443]

well i just did this on mine and it worked perfectly thank you, all i have to do is flip the toggle switch so up is on, very good video thanks.

[@mountainhigh1618]

Great video I had three riding lawn mowers and they are all down because I haven't been able to figure that out I tried so many different things thanks really good video A+ 👍🚜

[@conamorporsiempre]

Thanks for getting righto the point and making it simple!

[@randystarcher2358]

I want to thank you for the information that you gave me to help get my mower started keep up the good work teaching everyone something about working on mowers

[@Fearlessfront]

@pivotboy63 you must have solenoid if you want to stop frying switches. or get a switch capable of switching really high amperage

[@MyHairyChin]

Well I just redone my electrical with your planogram feerless, it turned out great! Thanks a bunch for your detailed vids they have been a great help and inspiration...

[@Aaron-ro2yz]

You did an awesome job on this video, everything made sense and it was easy to follow.

[@Fearlessfront]

@hondarancher29 Cool! I'm glad to be of service! Sound like it'll be a cool rig when it's done

[@billshepherd5090]

I was thinking about running a wire to a toggle/pressure switch directly from the battery to the starter since I’m having trouble with the starter switch on the dash. That way I can still use the factory switch to turn the mower off. I’ll have to watch the video again to see what you did. Excellent video BTW.

[@Fearlessfront]

@z54177 is it hooked to the small terminal on the solenoid?

[@Fearlessfront]

@mark16443 I cut the centers out of some old wheels I had and welded them centered in the new steel wheels. It's not the greatest, but it works!

[@Fearlessfront]

@LEE100462 red goes to the battery + like in this video, the other wire is for headlights, if you don't have them, then you can just cut it off and leave it.

[@Fearlessfront]

yea, depending on how new it is, you should be able to do this to it

[@PAHay-zs1ie]

Hey Todd Lights on my old craftsman don't work. All the wires from lights meet up into some kind of harness. Got a quick and easy fix. Thanx

[@Fearlessfront]

@dugan978 so you have two sets of wires coming out near the starter? or one?

[@Fearlessfront]

@TheRUSSELLBOY if the battery is low it will click like that. Or maybe your solenoid is bad? what happens when you jump the solenoid with a screwdriver?

[@asus12351]

Thanks a lot I bought an old 1986 mtd from craigslist I rewired it just like this with complete success love the push to start aspect.

[@Fearlessfront]

try this: The wires that go into the carb are for an electric fuel cut off, you can unscrew that thing out of the bottom of the carb, and there is a little rubber plunger on the end of it. Get a nice pair of snips and cut it off. then screw it back in and snip off the wires. thats it

[@Fearlessfront]

@z54177 it will just be really fast and it will wear out quicker. if you have a few spares then go for it. if not, then you may want to scale it back if you want to be riding it next summer

[@Fearlessfront]

@italkfan you could just touch the battery + wire to the starter terminal... a toggle switch that switches that much current would cost more than the solenoid.

[@Fearlessfront]

@akcender no, its a switch thats open or closed.

[@hillbillydipper9199]

Thank you so much my mud mower has been sitting 3 years due to electric problems I got it working in 2 days now I can terrorize the town again

[@lifeononeweel3008]

Heloo

[@hillbillydipper9199]

@@lifeononeweel3008 hi

[@lifeononeweel3008]

@@hillbillydipper9199 HIII WYD

[@stonegreyday]

awesome video! very straight forward, and very clear.

[@janellewolves6729]

Successfully completed the re-wiring of my mower!!!!!

[@Fearlessfront]

cool! thanks for the comment!

[@Fearlessfront]

no prob! glad it helped u out!