Bobhawk 1 #1 Posted June 8, 2016 I have a 1973 wheel horse 1-0120 with an 8 horse kohler engine. I left key on from the last time I mowed with it. I charged the battery and tried starting it, nothing. I tested the solenoid coming from the battery, 12 volts but nothing going to starter with key on. Changed solenoid, same thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,775 #2 Posted June 8, 2016 Take all of the battery cables off, one terminal at a time, and clean and re-tighten each one, grounds included. Also check the wire from the "S" terminal on your ignition switch and solenoid to be sure there is a good connection at each end. your wiring diagram should be in this manual. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,965 #3 Posted June 9, 2016 (edited) Would not be surprised if you burnt the switch up internally leaving the key on. I know it wasn't in the start position but the rotating contact is used in all the ign on posistions Edited June 9, 2016 by squonk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,775 #5 Posted June 9, 2016 Wouldn't a 1973 be a mag. or electronic ignition? shouldn't be a lot of current draw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,775 #6 Posted June 9, 2016 Wouldn't a 1973 be a mag. or electronic ignition? shouldn't be a lot of current draw. @Bobhawk, take a small jumper wire from the battery "+" terminal to the small terminal on the solenoid, that should activate it and turn over the starter. We will eliminate potential problems as we go along. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bobhawk 1 #7 Posted June 9, 2016 I took a wire from the battery to to solenoid and the starter turned over. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,965 #8 Posted June 9, 2016 My 73 12 horse is a battery ign. with points. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,775 #9 Posted June 9, 2016 8 hours ago, Bobhawk said: I took a wire from the battery to to solenoid and the starter turned over. Good! The solenoid and battery cables seem to be good. Now move the same jumper still connected to the battery "+" to the "S" terminal on the ignition switch with the wire connected, should get the same result. If it turns over then the wire to the solenoid is also good. There are a couple of safety switches on this wire also, if the started won't turn over we will look at them. Presuming it turned over, now place the jumper on the "B" terminal of the switch and turn the key to the start position. Let us know what happens. 1 hour ago, squonk said: My 73 12 horse is a battery ign. with points. Mike, I was going by the ignition switch illustration and wiring diagram in the manual. A black wire to the coil is generally indicative of a solid state ignition system which is grounded to shut off the engine. Was yours a battery ignition from the factory? Most '69 and newer had solid state. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,965 #10 Posted June 9, 2016 11 hours ago, 953 nut said: Mike, I was going by the ignition switch illustration and wiring diagram in the manual. A black wire to the coil is generally indicative of a solid state ignition system which is grounded to shut off the engine. Was yours a battery ignition from the factory? Most '69 and newer had solid state. Yes Mine is original except for the spark plug. Same with my C-160 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
