Service Manual

XL Lawn Tractor Service Manual 5 - 3

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

How It Works

The solenoid has two primary parts. One is a coil of

wire wrapped around an iron core. Whenever 12 volts

is applied to the coil, it becomes a magnet. The other

part is a bar type switch. Because it has a large

contact area with the contact terminals it can easily

handle the high current loads required by the starter

motor.

When 12 volts is applied to the coil, it becomes an

electromagnet. This quickly pulls the bar toward the

contacts and closes the switch. When power is

removed from the coil, the spring loaded bar returns to

its “normally open” position. The solenoid closes and

opens the switch very quickly. This minimizes the

“arcing” that can damage other type switches.

The ignition switch is protected because only a small

amount of current is needed to activate the coil.

Figure 177

Testing

1. Disconnect the solenoid from the wiring harness.

2. With a multimeter (ohms setting), check to ensure

that terminals “c” and “d” are open (no continuity).

3. Apply +12 VDC to terminal “a” and ground

terminal “b”. Terminals “c” and “d” should now be

closed (continuity).

4. You should be able to hear the solenoid switch

“click” when you make the connection.

Figure 178

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Location

The solenoid is located under the gas tank (Figure

179).

Figure 179

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(1) 1999 & prior models (2) 2000 & later models

(a) & (b) Coil Terminals (c) & (d) Contact Terminals