I was recently given an older Gilson garden tractor (maybe late '70s - early '80s) with a mid-mount mower and 18 HP Briggs & Stratton twin. I was able to jump start it and everything worked ok. Since the wiring looked quite sketchy and showed evidence of prior shorts, I've removed most of it with the intent to keep things simple: headlights & wiring, brake pedal safety switch etc. I've changed the oil, replaced the plugs, installed new battery cables, and have a new ignition switch & battery. At this point, if I touch the starter cable to the positive battery post, the engine will immediately start and run just fine (and then I yank the plug wires to kill it....).

Does anyone know a simple way to get things wired from the ignition switch to the switching block to the starter? If needed, I can respond with the markings on the rear of the switch. Also, I'm not worried about whatever sort of charging contraption the engine has, as I intend to keep the battery hooked to a Battery Tender.


Edit: The rear of the ignition switch has the following markings: G, B, M, S, L.



Andreas

Ground
Battery+
Ignition (?)
Starter
Lights

Starter is probably also the generator for the battery recharge, and may require one more wire from starter/generator to batt.

Jack's Small Engines

Frank