wrmhaste 235 #1 Posted July 1, 2014 Hi guys, I have an 89. 310-8. That does not start with the key. It has a 2 post solenoid and starts with a screw driver. I am extremely busy this summer and haven't had much time to do any testing. What I have done is pull the ground wire off the solenoid and put a jumper from the battery ground to the solenoid. It starts with the key. When I start it with the screwdriver and shut it off with the key it actually breaks the ground tab away from the ignition switch case and sparks. I'm almost positive it is a safety switch causing this. I just don't know where to start. Any advice would be great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrightorchid 261 #2 Posted July 1, 2014 download the demistification guide. There are a number of topics on this. You will also need a multi-meter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH nut 553 #3 Posted July 1, 2014 If it breaks the ground tab off the switch that needs to replace. After that you need to check your grounds. Run a jumper cable from motor to battery ground. If it starts then you know the motor isn't grounded Either through the frame or frame to battery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrmhaste 235 #4 Posted July 7, 2014 Ok soon finally found some time to work on it. Here's what I did. Replaced switch, also ran a temporary ground to the motor and to the switch from the battery. Still didn't start with the key. But it does shut off with the key. I found someone replaced one of the two fuses with a piece of wire and the wire wasn't all the way in. I pushed it in and the key cranked it. I replaced the wire with a 15 amp fuse and it started right up. Mowed for about an hour and let it sit outside to cool off before putting it away. Went to put it away and the fuse was blown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,393 #5 Posted July 7, 2014 Do you know which charging system you have? Will the headlamps work with the engine not running or does the engine have to run and the lights are brighter with high engine rpm? It appears 1989 used the 1988 engines in the early models and then switched to the 15 amp system. The Demystification Guide does not recognize the change so the diagrams are not properly labeled. Posting all the numbers off the engine decal should determine which diagram is required. Garry Ok soon finally found some time to work on it. Here's what I did. Replaced switch, also ran a temporary ground to the motor and to the switch from the battery. Still didn't start with the key. But it does shut off with the key. I found someone replaced one of the two fuses with a piece of wire and the wire wasn't all the way in. I pushed it in and the key cranked it. I replaced the wire with a 15 amp fuse and it started right up. Mowed for about an hour and let it sit outside to cool off before putting it away. Went to put it away and the fuse was blown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
