DIY: How to Test a Solenoid

My MTD Gold riding mower would not start. After going through testing the safety switches, I ended up on the solenoid as the likely cause of my problem. I removed the solenoid and this video was recorded as part of a series. The full diagnostics video for my testing process is available on my channel as well.

[DXT]

7 years later and helped me diagnose one today. Thanks

[derksen_deeds_done_dirt_ch]

Thank you. Did this, and determined my solenoid was good.

[janetblaylock]

Thanks for this video.. Your instructions were very clear and easy to understand.

[ericargento]

Thank you for being direct to the point and solving the problem 👍👍👍

[PRMan]

I tested the solenoid on my boat with a Ford engine and it did exactly what you described on the video. Well I should say it didn't because the solenoid was bad. Thank you for your help.

[davidruiz]

Thanks for the informative video; you simplify the method of testing. Best of Luck and God Bless

[farmer]

thank you good goin keep it up Awesome work Been trying long time nobody wood explain so thats why Joined You

[jedediahbc]

Your video was very easy to understand and duplicate method, thank you for your help.

[JOHNMINKA]

when i couple up batter on pigtails it clicks then measure across the terminal poles i get .004 then it goes back to 0 is this dud then needs replacement?

[jobfour]

Good info video and straight to the point thanks for

[riderr]

How can find the problem on my artic cat i put the switch on and the dash board not showing nothing battery is OK fuses they ok i guees .. But have a short then i replaced the bad fuses but screen not work is a 2007 artic cat 400

[jimmartinez]

Worked Great to test the solenoid. $12 later it was all set. Prior to replacement my Tractor suddenly didn't start one week after working fine. When i turned the key there was no sound. Apparently thats the clunk of the solenoid you hear.

[leblancch]

I have what I think is the same solenoid on an old lawn tractor i'm working on. I was actually able to rebuild it. One of the screw connectors was corroded. I cleaned that up. I thought it was ok but still not working right. I was testing like you are with a multimeter set to ohms. I had continuity most of the time. I didn't realize at first my measurement wasn't near 0 ohms.. I ended up drilling out the rivets and took it apart.. there is a copper plate at the top that was corroded. I sanded that and the spot it connected to. When I had it back together and riveted again, I did the same test. The ohms were now near 0.
I still have to try it back in the lawn tractor. I can post an update for everyone.

[deborahcuster]

i had an MTD Gold mower exactly like that one.
had to replace the head on it the first time. . . the valve seat for the intake worked itself out.
the head that arrived through the mail, was put on, then 2 seasons later it just zood over then backfired and it all went up in flames.

kohler engines self destruct.

good thing it was in an open field and not near the house.

[billwilliams]

TIGHTWADDIY,
1.) solenoid coils uses a different type of wire that has "insulation" resistance on the coil wire or something so it doesn't get burned up when left turned on held on for a period of time?
2.) How do you measure the solenoid "Torque" to know how much the power of the solenoids release pushing out strokes to know how strong it releases the solenoids plunger?

[rayranger]

Good video. I've just tested my 4 post solenoid and I get the clunk and contact but no continuity which I find odd. Any idea's please.

[Smalltechguy]

Good video. Too the point and explained what should be happening. i'm at that point now tying to figure out why this troy Bilt Pony isn't clicking or bumping the starter. It might be a safety switch also...just don't know yet.

[danceswithcritters]

My multimeter has 6 settings in the ohms section, 200 to 2000k, and one with an arrow/plus symbol. Where do I set it for that particular solenoid, to test continuity ?

[jamescraig]

Hi its july 23 of 2023 thank you. I'm going to go test my solenoids.

[MJ-pbeu]

I have the same solenoid but can't remember to which way the small terminal wires go on?