953 nut 66,278 #26 Posted 9 hours ago 1 hour ago, BHpa said: connect the two posts of the solenoid (bridging them with a screw driver) That tells you the cable from the solenoid to the starter is not the problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BHpa 8 #27 Posted 8 hours ago 1 hour ago, 953 nut said: That tells you the cable from the solenoid to the starter is not the problem. Do you think this would also eliminate any issue with the PTO switch, since it starts to crank? I would assume if the PTO switch/sensor or whatever was bad to keep it from cranking it would also prevent it in this scenario too, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 16,678 #28 Posted 7 hours ago 22 minutes ago, BHpa said: Do you think this would also eliminate any issue with the PTO switch, since it starts to crank? I would assume if the PTO switch/sensor or whatever was bad to keep it from cranking it would also prevent it in this scenario too, right? No. By jumping the solenoid terminals you circumvented ALL of the safety switches. It tells you only that once the starting circuit is correct, there is power at the solenoid to crank the engine. Note that getting the engine to crank and having the ignition to keep it running are two different circuits. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Razorback 1,330 #29 Posted 3 hours ago My C160's safety circuit is simple compared to your newer Horse, but when I first encountered my C160 it didn't want to start reliably. It boiled down to the safety switch at the PTO lever not getting engaged when the lever was in the OFF position. After getting awesome help from this site's participants along with a wiring diagram for my tractor, it was just a process of elimination going through the safety circuit using a multimeter. If you don't have one of those, I would highly suggest you get one and learn to use it. A simple continuity test will get you on the correct path. Keep at it...... you'll get it! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 66,278 #30 Posted 29 minutes ago On 5/30/2026 at 12:41 PM, BHpa said: jump the orange and black wires together through the housing but it didn't make any difference - still nothing. I'm not entirely sure it made a good connection, but I think so. The BLACK and ORANGE seat switch wires being joined together with the PTO on will prevent the magneto from producing a spark, just like the operator leaving the seat. On 5/31/2026 at 8:21 PM, 953 nut said: Place your shift lever in neutral and block the tires so the tractor can't move. Now take a small jumper wire from the battery "+" terminal to the small purple wire on the solenoid. If the starter turns over the solenoid is working. What was the outcome of performing this test? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
