25 HP 1995 Tiller Electric Start dead

[Lison]

Hi folks. Bought an electric start 25 HP yesterday, that started in the guy's driveway and got it home and won't turn over at all. Jumping the solenoid starts it, so have it narrowed down to starter button, neutral button, or solenoid. Searching the forum and sounds like pulling the tiller handle apart not something I want to tackle just for kicks. How would I narrow down the problem? Could I disconnect the neutral safety switch wires to see if that's the problem? Which ones are those? Thanks for any help. -Luther, MN

 

[Lison]

Still trying to narrow this down. I disconnected everything from the solenoid and tested it and it "clicked" and I have continuity thru it. I have disconnected the wires to the starter button, the neutral switch, the stop switch on the tiller and the tether stop switch and they all test fine. The starter works if I jump it. What's left? What is the little black box above the solenoid? The only place I'm getting voltage is to the big heavy positive battery wire on the solenoid.

 

[Lison]

Went back and recleaned all my terminals and got it.