I have a 1996 Murray Model 46907A riding lawnmower that is really giving me grief. The mower would not turn over when the key was turned and the lights would not come on. I have replaced the battery with a new and fully charged one. Nothing. I replaced the solenoid. Still nothing. I replaced the ignition with a new one. Nothing still. I checked the ground to the chassis. Good ground. I checked the voltage at the battery. 12.53 volts. I shorted across the solenoid and the starter cranks but there is no spark as tested by removing the spark plug and seeing there was no spark. I disconnected the seat safety switch and insured that circuity was closed. Still nothing. I have insured I am pressing the brake so that safety switch is activated. I am stumped. I get that there is a major discontinuity in the electrical system somewhere, but I can't figure out where. Why would there be no lights? I should get lights when I turn the key to the light position and I don't get them. The key will not activate the starter. I replaced the 15 amp fuse with a new one. Still nothing. Help. I would like to be able to get my lawn mowed. What is wrong with this and how do I fix it?

Greg Miller, July 2008

steffen,

I have the same trouble with the same frustration (right now it's all apart! try gaping the exhaust valve a few thousands farther open at Top dead center so there is a little blow by to reduce the compressing the starter has to turn against. this helped mine for a season but I think i need to do it again/

bob, albany ny, July 2008

try a new ignition switch, the keys are all the same. they only cost a couple of dollars at most hardware stores or mower shops

bob, albany ny, July 2008

I have a 2003 with exact same problem and tried the exact same things.I turned it over so many times that the solenoid melted.Finally discovered it would start by touching the 12 v from the battery direct to the starter.Worked every time.For one day.Next day same problem.When you turn the fly wheel(Armature,at engine top?) by hand do you notice that when the mower is hard to start this is also difficult to rotate,and vise/versa?Its almost like at times it has too much compression and the starter is not strong enough to rotate it.Other times it starts great.For a while I thought my oil was too thick,or maybe the exhaust valve was sticking.If you rotate this by hand too many times you flood the engine and the oil fill with gas,so disconnect the fuel line into the carb.I still dont get it.The hard start seems to have no consistency,from one day to next or even 15 minutes later.I am ready to use this thing as a boat anchor.Been playing with it for 2 years,its just so inconsistent.The main thing is when it doesnt start the engine is difficult to rotate,and I used to be able to get it going by rotating it a few times by hand,but that seems to be working less and less and not at all last 4 days.

steffen, July 2008

almost sounds like a bad ingnition switch

bg, July 2008