My Honda ride on mower is a 2417 with hydraulic grass box. I have all the lights but my mower won't start on the key. It will start if I take a wire from the solonoid to the battery. Does anyone know how to get over this problem please. Once started it runs perfectly. Thank you.
The word "take" can mean remove or more probably in this case - put in place.
It seems clear that the wire you put into place to operate the starter solenoid replaces the function of the starter switch - either the switch is defective or the circuit to the solenoid has failed.