murray draining the Battery

[cookie30]

I have a murray model number 40604b with a 12 hp briggs and it keeps draining the battery. The Ignition switch is new along with the clutch safety switch. I am lost on where to go from this point. I have studied the wiring diagram and can not figure it out. Hope someone can Help me out. Thanks Mike

[KE4AVB]

Most likely you have a shorted diode in the alternator wiring or a bad voltage regulator depending the engine's setup. Please post your engine numbers so someone can look-up which alternator setup you have.

[cookie30]

it dosent have an alternator or voltage reg on it just the magneto and solenoid.

[smallen]

look for small wire wire coming out from under blower housing near starter, track wire from B term on ign switch towards engine

[KE4AVB]

it dosent have an alternator or voltage reg on it just the magneto and solenoid.

Strange the old wiring indicates an one wire alternator; just want make sure the engine hasn't been changed out. The alternator would be under the flywheel.

[cookie30]

yea I just looked and it is just one wire coming out. So I will tackle that tomorrow and see. I charged the battery up today and within 2 hours it was down to 1 volt now it is 0 so what ever it is it's killing it quick. luckily it cant be but a couple things with this one. Trouble shooting the electric system is a pain I always hate it. Thanks for the help so far.

[Deere2me]

yea I just looked and it is just one wire coming out. So I will tackle that tomorrow and see. I charged the battery up today and within 2 hours it was down to 1 volt now it is 0 so what ever it is it's killing it quick. luckily it cant be but a couple things with this one. Trouble shooting the electric system is a pain I always hate it. Thanks for the help so far.

Ahh!!! So it DOES have an alternator!! Imagine that!

[KE4AVB]

Disconnect that wire and you battery should stay charged up. If stays charged then you will need to replace at least the diode (lump)in that wire; otherwise there is something else wrong. You will also need check alternator otherwise as it sounds like someone had connected up a booster battery backwards and may have fried the alternator's windings.