Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.)/electrical starting

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Expert: Eric A. Jones - 11/1/2004


Question
I removed a 12.5 B&S engine from a Lowes riding mower, it is about 11 yrs. old.  I reinstalled the engine on alog splitter. I'm not sure on what to do with all the electrial saftey devices that are still on the wiring harness.How do I remove/disconect them so I can start the engine. This unit also has lights that I plan on keeping.  Thanks for the help.  Mick

Answer
Do you have the switches still on the harness?

Some of the switches can be bypassed by using a wire nut or soldering the two leads together.  Some of them need to be open.  I wish the manufactures would provide better documention but they don't.

Do you have the solenoid and key switch with the harness?
Are you familar with an Ohm meter or have a 12 volt test light?  If you have the key switch there should be some letters on the back of the switch...let me know what they are.

Let me know and we can get it going.
Eric

Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.)

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Eric A. Jones

Expertise

Lawnmower Repair . Certified Master Service Technician from B&S. Have 13 years experience on B&S, Lawn Chief, Weed Eater, Echo, Peerless, Wheel Horse, Snapper, Atlas, MTD, McCulloch, Homelite and many other numerous brands. Specialize in electrical repair.

Experience

Born and raised in the midwest. Started tinkering with engines when I was about 14 on my Suzuki RM-80. I began lawn mower repair at a small hardware store. I knew absolutely nothing. I read lots of repair manuals and met an older fellow who taught me many lessons. I continued working on small engines through high school and paid my way through college working on mowers at the same hardware store. Decided to get away from the midwest and mower repair so I joined the Air Force. I repaired air traffic control electronic equipment and ended up in Hawaii where I got a part time job at Small Engine Clinic. I gained a lot of experience from the Small Engine Clinic and had a blast repairing small engines. I then took the Briggs and Stratton Master Service Technician test and earned my MST. I then traveled to Wisconsin where I attended the factory update training seminar and received formal training. I received a scholarship from the Air Force and am currently pursuing another degree.

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