....my riding mower problems are history. Problem: Mower Won't Start. Symptom: Turning the key produces no juice for the engine. Theory: Something is wrong with the darn thing....probably wiring. Bigger problem....I know nothing about mechanical or electrical anything...
To make a short story longer, my mower stopped running a few days ago for what seemed no reason at all. I contemplated taking it in to be service at my expense, but remembered we have a small engines expert in the family, and I thought just maybe he could help me with my situation. I quickly gave Granddad a call, explained the problem, and requested his advice. No, he didn't advise me to shoot myself! We decided to take a closer look at the mower at his house. Arriving early enough the next day....in a showery weather situation, I pushed my non-operative mower under the family gathering canopy and we took a quick look under the hood. There, we looked over wiring, checked for power availablity, and everything else we could think of. After half an hour, he suggested that it might be the solenoid or maybe a safety switch, we didn't know exactly where the swithes were, other than the one under the seat. We could see that one was connected and looked to be in good shape, so we got on the internet to find the wiring diagram to find the others......google is no help when trying to find something like that.
We were both scratching our heads about what else we could look at or what we might be able to figure out when the rain began to fall in earnest. I asked him to please hold off on going back outside and I'd go run some errands and try to find the operator's manual or a wiring schematic online. On way home, I stopped at Sears and while printing out the wiring diagram from http://www.sears.com/, geesh, why didn't I think of that...the assistant manager suggested that MAYBE I should disconnect and reconnect the safety switch under the seat because it may have gotten some moisture in it. I thanked them and ran to the vet to pick up Patches and get her home (she got her hinny shaved, but that's a different story). After Vic got home, I started thinking that the reunion BBQ would need the space my mower was holding, so Vic and I took a quick trip back to Granddad's house. I showed him the diagram and we chatted a while. Then I mentioned what the Sears guy had told me and walked over to try it. Unbelievable...it cranked right over after I unplugged and reconnected the seat safety switch. Granddad and I had thought of everything....except the obvious. Still, had I not had him to help me, I'd have never figured it out and saved myself hundreds of millions of dollars...or something like that. After helping me with my mower, he took us wandering through the garden and showed us that ever growing broccoli....and the wonderful onions, tomatoes, and cucumbers. He even let Vic and I eat a fresh snap pea (never done that before and to be honest, I was a bit leary....but I have to admit it really tasted great). Maybe I'll try broccoli again....all this, thanks to a little help from my friends...and family.
