[JD40]

Here is a story about my R72.
Bought it for $300 ran like a top. Let my uncle use it for a year. He let it set and when he gave it back it would not turn over. But when I would use a peice of copper wire and jump the solenoid it would turn over and fire. So I replaced the solenoid and ignition switch. I turned the key and nothing. So had to use my copper wire again and it worked. Any ideas?
Jd40

 

[jeepersmitty]

Bound to be a safety switch somewhere that is not making or breaking. Don't know anything about that particular rider.

 

[weekend_warrior]

I have an old craftsman that had the exact same problem (although it wasn't your uncle's fault). It ended up being a bad electrical connection to the circuit breaker. I don't know anything about JD's, so I'm not sure this helps, but the symptoms were exactly the same for me (turned over when I jumped the solenoid and I replaced the ignition switch). Good luck!

 

[attorney_barnabas_collins]

I vote a safety switch too.

Sit in the seat, put it in neutral and push in the brake/clutch first to make sure you didn't just forget!