Bulbs
Flower Basics
Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens
Flower Garden
Garden Furniture
Garden Gnomes
Garden Seeds
Garden Sheds
Garden Statues
Garden Tools & Supplies
Gardening Basics
Green & Organic
Groundcovers & Vines
Growing Annuals
Growing Basil
Growing Beans
Growing Berries
Growing Blueberries
Growing Cactus
Growing Corn
Growing Cotton
Growing Edibles
Growing Flowers
Growing Garlic
Growing Grapes
Growing Grass
Growing Herbs
Growing Jasmine
Growing Mint
Growing Mushrooms
Orchids
Growing Peanuts
Growing Perennials
Growing Plants
Growing Rosemary
Growing Roses
Growing Strawberries
Growing Sunflowers
Growing Thyme
Growing Tomatoes
Growing Tulips
Growing Vegetables
Herb Basics
Herb Garden
Indoor Growing
Landscaping Basics
Landscaping Patios
Landscaping Plants
Landscaping Shrubs
Landscaping Trees
Landscaping Walks & Pathways
Lawn Basics
Lawn Maintenance
Lawn Mowers
Lawn Ornaments
Lawn Planting
Lawn Tools
Outdoor Growing
Overall Landscape Planning
Pests, Weeds & Problems
Plant Basics
Rock Garden
Rose Garden
Shrubs
Soil
Specialty Gardens
Trees
Vegetable Garden
Yard Maintenance
How to Test a Solenoid on a Briggs & Stratton Engine
How to Test a Solenoid on a Briggs & Stratton Engine. The solenoid on a Briggs and Stratton engine acts as a fuse between the ignition switch and the engine starter. When the key is in the ON position, the electrical current flows to the solenoid and then on to the starter on the engine. If the solenoid becomes damaged, the engine will no longer...
The solenoid on a Briggs and Stratton engine acts as a fuse between the ignition switch and the engine starter. When the key is in the ON position, the electrical current flows to the solenoid and then on to the starter on the engine. If the solenoid becomes damaged, the engine will no longer turn over. Testing the solenoid is the first step in troubleshooting an engine that will not start. Knowledge of engine theory will help in this procedure,which will take 15 minutes to complete.
Things You'll Need
Voltmeter
Place the engine on a hard, flat surface. To locate the solenoid on the engine, follow the positive (red) wire coming from the battery; it will lead into the solenoid.
Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Clean any corrosion off the battery terminals. Turn the key to the ON position and turn on the voltmeter. Place the negative lead from the voltmeter to the negative post on the battery. Place the positive lead (red) lead to the post on the solenoid that has the positive lead screwed on to it. Check the reading on the voltmeter; the reading should be 12 volts. If there is no voltage, tighten the bolt on the positive cable on the battery; tighten the nut on the solenoid.
Keep the negative lead from the voltmeter connected to the negative battery post. Place the positive lead from the voltmeter to the other post on the solenoid. Turn the key to the OFF position and then turn it to the ON position, while checking the voltmeter. If the voltmeter reads 12-volts while in the ON position and no voltage in the OFF position the solenoid is not defective. If no voltage is present in both the ON and OFF position, the solenoid is defective.
Tips & Warnings
Keep hands clear of the spark plug wires to avoid electrical shock.
