DIY: How to Test a Solenoid 

7 years later and helped me diagnose one today. Thanks

Thank you for being direct to the point and solving the problem 👍👍👍

I tested the solenoid on my boat with a Ford engine and it did exactly what you described on the video. Well I should say it didn't because the solenoid was bad. Thank you for your help.

Thanks for the informative video; you simplify the method of testing. Best of Luck and God Bless

Thanks for this video.. Your instructions were very clear and easy to understand.

Thank you. Did this, and determined my solenoid was good.

I have what I think is the same solenoid on an old lawn tractor i'm working on. I was actually able to rebuild it. One of the screw connectors was corroded. I cleaned that up. I thought it was ok but still not working right. I was testing like you are with a multimeter set to ohms. I had continuity most of the time. I didn't realize at first my measurement wasn't near 0 ohms.. I ended up drilling out the rivets and took it apart.. there is a copper plate at the top that was corroded. I sanded that and the spot it connected to. When I had it back together and riveted again, I did the same test. The ohms were now near 0. I still have to try it back in the lawn tractor. I can post an update for everyone.

i had an MTD Gold mower exactly like that one. had to replace the head on it the first time. . . the valve seat for the intake worked itself out. the head that arrived through the mail , was put on, then 2 seasons later it just zood over then backfired and it all went up in flames. kohler engines self destruct. good thing it was in an open field and not near the house.

TIGHTWADDIY, 1.) solenoid coils uses a different type of wire that has "insulation" resistance on the coil wire or something so it doesn't get burned up when left turned on held on for a period of time? 2.) How do you measure the solenoid "Torque" to know how much the power of the solenoids release pushing out strokes to know how strong it releases the solenoids plunger?

Your video was very easy to understand and duplicate method, thank you for your help.

Worked Great to test the solenoid. $12 later it was all set. Prior to replacement my Tractor suddenly didn't start one week after working fine. When i turned the key there was no sound. Apparently thats the clunk of the solenoid you hear.

Well Done! Easy to understand.

Good info video and straight to the point thanks for sharing..........

Hi its july 23 of 2023 thank you. I'm going to go test my solenoids.

Thank you for your help

Thank you this video really helped

How can find the problem on my artic cat i put the switch on and the dash board not showing nothing battery is OK fuses they ok i guees .. But have a short then i replaced the bad fuses but screen not work is a 2007 artic cat 400

Well done

Good video. Too the point and explained what should be happening. i'm at that point now tying to figure out why this troy Bilt Pony isn't clicking or bumping the starter. It might be a safety switch also...just don't know yet.

My solenoid checked out as you said. Got it to click with the ohms meter but when wiered up it doesn't click ? All wires are working when key is on and peddle depressed transferring voltz to low voltage but no click??

Good video. I've just tested my 4 post solenoid and I get the clunk and contact but no continuity which I find odd. Any idea's please.

thank you good goin keep it up Awesome work Been trying long time nobody wood explain so thats why Joined You

when i couple up batter on pigtails it clicks then measure across the terminal poles i get .004 then it goes back to 0 is this dud then needs replacement?

OK, my 2021 onan generator has 12v power at the solenoid and no click, no fault light at the switch, just salience. Would be a bad solenoid on my 12hr run generator. Beats taking the thing out of the rv for repairs.

My multimeter has 6 settings in the ohms section, 200 to 2000k, and one with an arrow/plus symbol. Where do I set it for that particular solenoid, to test continuity ?

What’s the point of having a 4 post as opposed to a 3 post?

Does the solenoid need to be completely removed from the mower to test it?

there is not voltage to the top post because the bottom two connectors are not passing current to them.

on my mower i can jump the solenoid across and my mower starts it wont start by the key switch considering in 2020 i had the same problem replace my key switch and it worked

What if you hear the starter spinning, but its not engaging with the flywheel ? Would this be a bad solonoid ? Ty

I have the same solenoid but can't remember to which way the small terminal wires go on?

What would the fourwheeler do if the solenoid was bad and you tried starting it?

Thanks for the tip.

I took my solenoid off and now I can’t remember which wire goes to which post on the bottom. I have one white and one black :-(

I can't find solenoid on a 2003 ford expedition .its not on the inside fender well. Tell me where to look

What dose it mean if u hook up your postistive and the positive one sparks

Would a bad solenoid drain my battery.... What would constantly drain my battery?

Thank you

How do i know how many volts to give my solenoid. Its for a fridge water valve

GRREEAAT VIDEO!! as I'm about to go try this now, my issue or question Is how much trouble did you have getting the old one out and the new one in? its really in a tight spot on my craftsman made by mtd

it be for any external starter solenoid lawn tractor, some tractors and all Ford vehicles the best solenoid to use if it goes bad be a good quality Cole Hersee 3 or 4 post solenoid depending on the application of the lawn tractor as this Cole Hersee metal body solenoids will replace these plastic Trombetta solenoids in these lawn tractors and riding mowers and zero turns. Some engines the solenoid is mounted on the starter motor. which that in addition to closing the contacts it moves the pinion gear to mesh with the flywheel ring gear.

Mine clicks but no power is going from one side to the other when activated. Strange but something failed.

I'm sure that a 4 post solenoid doe's not ground to the frame or body, at least my simplicity does not.

Thanks 👍

Perfect thanks 👍

could you use a 9 volt battery instead?

But if the connection internally is not 100% than you wont be getting 100% of the charge to the starter so could still be bad if its engaging..

short and clear

Thank you!

How about checking one on the tractor?

Very helpful, thanks.

Great video, but having continuity doesn't necessarily mean the solenoid is good. You also have to check the resistance

What happens when you get the click but no continuity?

just listen to it to see if it clunks when yu put the battery to it

👍👍👍👍👍

Good morning

Very Good!..

Should the 2 small posts have continuity between the 2 of them?

Will it click if its bad?

My local electrical shop will test solenoids, starters, generators and most electrical components for free. 24 hour turn around.

My tractor has a 15 hourse kohler engine n won't charge battery

Does this apply to a 48volt solenoid? Can I use a 8volt battery to test it?

send volts through the alternator? wtf

let me tell you how to test solenoid on the mower turn key to start if you only get a click stop use a pr. of pliers short 2 big bolts on slenoid if starter spins replace solennoid this test tell you battery is good but solenoid is bad take solenoid with get same type so mounting holes and wire will fit if you rev. small leads no problem

Can’t see

I guess multi-meter was just for looks

Just use a non contact magnetic field tester.

Italiano no ?

Can't be shocked from 12V lmao

its called skillful dude

U can’t get shocked from a 12 v battery

It's a sOlenoid, not a sIlenoid.

Not helpfull all because I was drunk