Thank you! The solenoid and starter have both been replaced, but knowing about the brake switch helps! I'm pretty much looking for all possibilities considering all the things I've tried.there's several sources for a "click"
can be starter, can be starter solenoid, pto clutch, etc
often on those mowers the brake switch goes bad. The starter solenoid will "click" but it won't make contact if the brake switch is bad. Sometimes you can hold the key to "start" while in the seat, and move the brake off and on a few times, if in doing so the engine starts, the likelihood of a failed brake switch is high. That switch is located under the fuel tank, not much fun to get to. To get the old one off, use a chisel and knock the tab off of the bottom of the switch from underneath, then pull the switch up off of the crossmember, then unhook the wire. Installation is easier, hook the wire up, push the tab of the switch into the crossmember.
Next up:
- Check wires from battery and clean cables
- Test PTO switch, replace if needed
- Test brake switch, replace if needed
Thoughts on carburetor? A friend suggested I spray some cleaner where it is. So, after all this I confess I am a total novice (could you tell? ) and don't know where the carburetor is.