1989 180 mower starting electrical problem

My 180 mower is only delivering 6 volts to the starter solenoid when the small wire is hooked up, but 12 volts when you unplug it. I have removed, cleaned, and replaced every connector I can find, and replaced the ignition swith. When you jump from the battery to the solenoid it starts every time. Hook the solenoid wire up again and you get a faint clunk when turning the key.

It seems obvious that there is a dirty connection, green corroded wire, bad solenoid, safety switch, or relay somewhere that I have not found.

Are the safety switches sort of daisy chained, or is there a relay somewhere hidden?

I have an owner's manual and a parts book, but no schematic.

Thanks for any help.
 
. What is the voltage on the both of the main brass terminal on the battery side of the solenoid when cranking and not cranking . Try it with the multimeter on the neg post of the battery and then test again with the neg test probe on the engine block
 
(quoted from post at 21:23:26 05/26/19) A ground on a relay? I'm confused. It fires right up when you jump the solenoid to the hot terminal.

Is my post explaining a possible workaround invisible to you?
 
I sent you an email. Reply to me and I'll send you a PDF file of the service manual. I have a model 185 that has had the same problem. The start circuit does go through the blade switch and a neutral start switch as well as the main start/run switch. The culprit in my mower was the blade switch
 
I've ordered the "Start kit" AM107421 from John Deere. $47.21. It is a relay that puts full voltage to the solenoid. Someone here suggested it.
 

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