1200 won't start
 

Im having an issue with my 1200. For the past year when you turn the key i'ts intermintent on the starter turning over. Somtimes it starts right up and othertimes I have to keep turning the key on and off before it will kick in or hold the key to on and after several seconds it might kick in.
My son was useing it to cut the lawn for the last time a couple of weeks ago and one of the tie rods broke, he left it in the back and I couldn't get to it for a couple of days, when I did it would'nt start. I ended up towing it with my 147 back to my garage where I finnally found some time to work on it.
I put a charge on the battery but still nothing. If I engage the pto switch you can here it click. Is there anyway to test the starter on the tractor to see if it's working? Any advice would be great.
Thanks Jeff

2 things: First, check and clean all of your grounds, particularly the battery-to-chassis cable and the cable that connects the engine to the frame. Then clean the PTO switch connector and terminals and see if that helps. If you want to bypass all of that, CAREFULLY short the two big terminals on the solenoid. That bypasses all of the wiring except the starter cable and positive battery cable. If it cranks over fine like that, something is wrong with the wiring, at which point you'll have to start tracing wires with your multimeter and a wiring diagram to see what's going on.

Along with what Matt suggested, Check the ignition switch as well. If turning the key on and off a few time gets it to crank it might be the switch. Just something to try :TwoCents:

To add to what the others said,
The connector on the back of the Ign. switch is a problem @ times.
Wiggle the wires on the back of the ign switch plug while attempting to crank,
if it appears the problem is there, you will have to fix the loose connector(s)

Thanks for all of the advice, I was able to determine the ignition switch went bad. Hopfully I'll be able to get it up and running by this weekend.