What type starter key switch - Troy Bilt 175HP Manual 42" Riding Mower

hello David
althoiugh the starter relay switch maybe the cause ,but other factors such as the malfunctioning ignition switch,the wiring and connections, and the condition of the battery cables can lead to the above problem

Bad ignition switch. I have seen lots of these go bad. Also check starter relay. What happened was for some reason the starter relay was activated and sent a signal to the starter to start the car even though the car was running

didnt state type of vehicle ---check power to starter if no power need to check relays -ignition system-key,switch,wiring [some cars key fob]-if power to starter have starter tested solenoid possible bad ,starter short.

YOU DID NOT SAY WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLE OR YEAR, BUT I WILL TRY TO HELP YOU IF YOU CAN GIVE ME THAT INFO

Check if the small wire on the starter has power with the key held in crank position. If battery voltage there, either bad battery cables or connections, or the starter solenoid has a malfunction. If no power when key held in start, it could be the safety switch (a clutch interlock switch on manual transmissions, or a park/neutral switch on automatics). You may need a wiring diagram to see the start circuit from ignition switch to the starter solenoid-some have a start relay in that circuit.
Find wiring diagrams at http://www.bbbind.com/technical.html
Free TSB's and wiring diagrams for every make and model.

He he this is funny to me!!
You have several things going on here Ok?
Starter not engaging is one prob.
Key switch is another prob.

This all depends on the car type and year. Big question!!!
but it all is between ur key an ur starter.
So its a process of elimination to find out the real problem first.

Bad key switch, bad connections, bad grounds, bad starter solenoid,
bad starter gear, bad starter relay(depending on yr of car)

To be honest there ca be lots of different problems whith why the care will not start, so u just have to start with elimination of 1 thing at a time.

At most autopart stores they have repair books for just about every make an model of car an trucks !! Try that if confused!!!

So the engine wont turn over at all? Well, we know the fuse is good since the fuel solonoid is getting power. Do you have a test light? Locate the starter solonoid, check for power to the small spade on the starter solonoid when the key is turned to the start position. Be sure the brake pedal is depressed, the pto is disengaged, and that the seat switch is depressed.
If you have power to the small spade then check the large posts for power. The battery side should have power all the time and the starter side should have power when key is turned to start. If you have power from battery and power from key switch but no power to starter then the starter solonoid is suspect.
If solonoid tests good and power is getting to starter but starter doesnt engage then starter is suspect.
If no power to small spade on starter solonoid then you will have to do some back tracking. It could be the key switch, one or more of 3 safety switches or bad wire/ bad connections

Have you forgotten the silenoid switch ,2 large wires and 1 small plug type.

You likely have one of two issues.Assuming it is not a security feature such as a coded key causing the issue.

1. the trigger wire isn't getting the 12volts it needs to turn the starter every time you turn the key. If that's it you have an electrical issue some where between the ignition switch and the starter.it could be a corroded wire connection or a bad contact in the switch among other things that would facilitate a bad connection.

2. Starters almost always do this when they're ready to quit for good. The contacts in the starter itself are likely worn and you aren't getting a good connection every time you turn the key but with repeated key turning you are heating up the bad connection and it will then conduct the voltage that it needs to function.

Number 2 is the most likely and the least expensive one to try, as electrical trouble shooting is time consuming and if you are paying a shop to repair it they may spend hours looking and still not find the issue

Hope this helps and thanks for choosing FIX YA!

Hi Tonymcder;
Here's what happens in the start sequence when ypi turn the key.

When you turn the key, you should at least hear the starter solenoid click. When you turn the key the ignition switch sends 12 volts to the Starter solenoid ( really just a relay). The Solenoid closes and applies 12 volts (at a high current) to the starter motor to crank the engine. If you have a way to measure voltage, you should get 12 volts at the small terminal on the starter solenoid. The solenoid is mounted on the top of the starter motor.If you get
no voltage, probably an ignition switch If you get 12 volts and the starter doesn't crank the starter is probably defective. At this [point take a small hammer and tap the starter motor, not hard, just medium. Sometimes this will cause the starter motor to catch next time you turn the key. Best bet is to remove the starter motor (with solenoid attached) and take it to an Auto Zone type store where they can check it out for you. Be sure you disconnect the ground terminal of the battery before you attempt to remove the starter motor.
Hope this helps Loringh Thanks for using FixYa