Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Lawn Mower Problem, briggs stratton engine, briggs stratton

Question
Eric,
 I am trying to put this engine on an old Murray riding mower. The ignition switch is a murray part no 3497644. It has five posts labeled G B M S L. The engine will start if I put a little gas in the top of the carburetor but dies when it burns that gas up.  I would appreciate your help.  Thank you, Ronnie Smith
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Followup To

Question -
I have a 14.5 hp Briggs & Stratton engine that came off a MTD riding mower that I cannot keep running.  It has a solenoid on the bottom of the carburetor bowl that has two wires going to it that plug into the solenoid. I don't think these wires are connected correctly and I think this is my problem. Do you know what this solenoid does and how the wires are supposed to be connected?  I am trying to use this engine on another riding lawn mower.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you, Ronnie Smith

Answer -
That is an anti-backfire soleniod.  One wire should be ground and the other wire 12 volts DC when the key is in the run position.

How many posts are on the starter switch and what letters are next to them.

Let me know.
Eric

Answer
The letters are as follows(normally).

G ground -  ground
B battery - constant 12 volt power from the battery
M magneto - grounds the primary coil winding to shut off the engine

S start/solenoid - provides 12 volts to engage the solenoid when starting the engine

L lights - could be AC or DC voltage

Do you have a volt meter?  If so, connect the starter key switch back to the wire harness.  With the switch connected, turn it to the run position and measue the L terminal on the wire harness/switch to see if there is 12 volts DC.  You can insert the meter's probe/lead inside the back of the key switch connector to check for voltage.

Let me know what you find.
Eric