Riding mower loosing ground

[merc_man]

I got a riding mower and just looking for ideas to try.
So i think it has bad wire somewhere. With key off i have good ground from battery to engine block.
Turn key to on i loose that ground.

Key in crank i have 12 at starter

Bench test starter and works

Batter has 12.4 volts

 

[Shane¹]

Take a set of jumper cables and go from b- to the engine block somewhere and see if it starts after that and if it does then you know the ground is bad

 

[redneckhillbilly]

some of the safety switches could interrupt the ground as well, cycle all the safeties also, maybe have someone sitting on the seat when your testing things

 

[OnlyStihl]

A battery ground wire is connected to the frame, right? An ohm meter is basically checking the continuity of the ground cable. How does an ignition disconnect a 2AWG wire bolted to the frame?

 

[Sloughfoot]

some of the safety switches could interrupt the ground as well, cycle all the safeties also, maybe have someone sitting on the seat when your testing things

2nd this. Are there safety switches beyond seat and brake?

 

[redneckhillbilly]

seat and brake are the main ones, depending on model, some have electric pto switch for the blades. loosing the ground is common when a + wire is damaged and goes to ground

 

[merc_man]

I will hopefully get a chance this week to have a look. Had a lot going on this weekend. I was thinking safety switch but i still get the solinoid click with key. I will still check them though to be sure.

 

[merc_man]

Ok so i made some progress but still stumped. So i found a loose ground bolt by battery. Got that cleaned and tight.
So now go to start and starter tries. Ausome but shortly after see smoke at starter. So i got continuity from engine block through starter to the starter positive wire up to the solinoid.
Undue battery terminal quickly lol. Seemed to take forever.

 

[merc_man]

So i just checked on my good John deere mower and i got continuity from block to starter positive too so that must be normal