sliver colored 4 POST,12 RELY

[Jerry Scheerhoorn]

Where can I buy a small silver colored 4 post relay. For the shut off on garden mower.

 

[joe csuti]

If you're talking about sol for starter or ign sw(we don't know which you're talking about),get mod# off id tag/plate on mower goto link below,see if your make/mod# tractor listed,if not try outdoor distributors,jacks small engines,sears parts direct online OR take make/mod# of tractor & part you're talking about to local mower shop,napa auto parts,they may be able to lookup & sell/order replacement part you need.
We can't help you much if you don't post make/mod# of mower.
mower

 

[El Toro]

Does it look like this solenoid? Hal
PS: Most auto parts stores have them.

 

[Jerry Scheerhoorn]

Sorry I was not clear enough on my description. This is on a Schweiss 20 hp mower. They were made at Sherburn, Mn. Then sold to B & H manfr. out of Jackson,Mn. Kohler engine. Mower no longer made. Cannot find any id # on relay. Not sure how to post a picture. Thanks for the help. Jerry S.

 

[joe csuti]

If the item you're talking about has 2 large posts with a heavy cable to battery pos(+) off one post & a heavy cable off other post to starter motor and 2 small terminals for coil,this is the sol for starter,you can buy a universal 4 pole sol at most local mower shops,napa,most auto parts stores or online dealers,it may look like/similar to pic Hal posted,even if it looks different for orig/pic Hal posted,it will still function the same,you may/may not have to make new mounting hole(s)for sol.

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

check here next page too
solenoid

 

[El Toro]

It's easy to post a picture on any of these forums using the Advanced Posting Tools below where you posted your message. You need your pictures posted somewhere on your computer like "My Documents". The Advanced Posting Tools will take you there automatically when you select:
"Upload Photo" then click on,
"Browse" then select your picture and then click on picture.

Then click on "Save" then click on "Upload" and your pictue should then appear in the little box to your right. Once your picture appears in the box then click on "Continued" once. Then click on "Preview Your Reply" to see if your pic is within your message. If it is click on "Submit Reply". Hal

 

[Jerry Scheerhoorn]

Item # 1130760 at "surplus center" sure looks like what I,m looking for. It is used to ground the coils on the engine when the key is in the off position on the engine of this Kohler 20 hp.. Thanks for the help. I see it is a Normally open [NO], which I think would work. The one on the mower will shut motor off but has to be disconnected to start mower.Does this sound how it should work? I,m pretty new to this kind of thing. Jerry S

 

[Tom Arnold]

Most of these solenoids are used for sending heavy current to a starter motor. Therefore, they are engaged by the ignition switch when the key is turned to START. That makes them a Normally Open type of relay.

According to you, the relay you have is used to short the coils to ground, thus killing the high voltage going to the spark plugs. In order for that to work, the solenoid has to be a Normally Closed style because the coils need to be shorted to ground at all times except when the ignition key is turned to the ON and START positions. That's when power would go to the solenoid and break the connection between the coils and ground so that the coils would provide high voltage to the spark plugs when the engine was spinning over with the starter motor and also when the engine was running.

To me, this is a bizarre way to do this. Other companies just use a special ignition switch that has a ground wire and another lug that goes to the coils to ground them out. Why the manufacturer of this rather obscure brand of mower decided to use a solenoid for such a simple problem boggles my mind.

I am not going to tell you to make changes because a proper wiring diagram would have to be available to make sure nothing else would be affected. The sole purpose of my post is to alert you that you seem to be seeking a Normally Open solenoid when you should be seeking a Normally Closed one.

Good luck with your repair.

 

[joe csuti]

Before buying/replacing relay,if contacts are N/O as you say & coil is good & operates relay contacts,then there's probably nothing wrong with relay,the problem probably is in safety sw(s)if relay only used to kill eng ign,check owners manual for a wiring diag & check all safety sw's on mower you can find,starting with seat sw,you may have a problem with one/more safety sw's & this may be what's operating relay & you have to disconnect to start eng,the reason a starter sol was probably used was it was commonly avail & holds up better to vibration on mower,if you do decide to replace relay,get one that has a continous duty rateing on coil.

 

[Jerry Scheerhoorn]

Makes sense to me!! Thanks Tom . jps