Safety Switch Issue

[953 nut 66,277]

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.

[BHpa 8]

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?  

[Handy Don 16,677]

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. 

[Razorback 1,329]

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!