Briggs 20.5 opposed twin model 461777 type 0137 E1 wiring help

I have a MTD yard machine estate series model 14AJ84AH062 with a Briggs 20.5 opposed twin.

I am having issues with the wiring. When I first got it from this guy it had no battery or keys. So I picked up a new battery and ignition. I plugged the harness into the new ignition and it would barely turn and I saw smoke come out of the harness.

So to fix the issue I put a new solenoid and starter on her. Then to get rid of all the safety sensors and repair the harness. This is what I have done to the harness to simplify it. I wired the yellow wire directly to the magneto kill wire (yellow to yellow). Ran the orange directly to the solenoid. Ran the red from solenoid with out fuse relay to ignition. Then I ran a completely new green ground ( that is what smoked). I ran the green from the connector for the blue head lights to the ignition ground then a jumper to the frame to ground the system.

I turn the key over to start but all I hear is the solenoid click closed. I ran a test meter and I am getting power all the way through the solenoid to the starter. The starter is not doing anything and it is brand new. Does anyone have an idea of why the starter is not engaging to turn the engine over?

sounds like you have a bad ground from motor to battery, thats why it smoked the harness ground. make sure you have a heavy cable running from battery ground to the engine its self

Thank you I will try that when I get home.

And the dumb ass award goes to me for not having the ground hooked to the motor.