I have a yard machine the battery will not stay charged what could be causing this and how do i fix it

Question

I have a yard machine the battery will not stay charged what could be causing this and how do i fix it

Answer 1

I don't know how old your battery is, but the battry might have a bad cell in it. Take your battery to Wal-Mart or just about any place that sells mower batteries and they should check it out for free. Good luck!!

Answer 2

You likely have a bad battery.  Unfortunately Lawn & Garden batteries only last a year or two tops.  

Answer 3

Get a volt meter and test the voltage on the battery while the engine is running.  You'll need to find a way to depress the safety switch that is normally compressed when you sit on the seat.   If the voltage is higher while the engine is running then when its not, then you should be getting a charge put back in the battery.  At that point I would take out the battery and go to a autoparts store or a place like batteries plus and have them verify that the battery can accept a charge.  If it can, then you have a puzzler.  If not, replace the battery.

If the voltage is not higher while running the engine than while the engine is off, you have a problem with the alternator.  Either its not working or its no longer connected properly to the electrical system.  See if you can find it and look to see that all the wires coming off it and to the mower and connected and look like they are free of corrosion.  If they are corroded, detach the main battery cables and then remove each connection, clean it with sand paper or steel wool or whatever you have that will clean off corrosion (non flammable please) and then reconnect each one before you do the next connection so you don't forget where things go.

If that doesn't do it, its probably time to take it to a small engine repair shop or back to the dealer if its under warranty.

Answer 4

I agree with the answer about taking the cable off.  Charge the battery but don't hook it back up to the mower. It should have a reading of around 12.6 volts when charged.  In the morning check it again, if it is low again it is the battery.  If not, something is draining it.  There is not much on the mower that would do that.  The battery is only used to start the engine after that you can unhook it and it will run until you shut it off.  Even the headlights on most don't use the battery.  Most likely it is the battery.  They just don't last very long.

Answer 5

take the positive cable off the battery if it still does not hold a charge it is the battery

Answer 6

maybe the battery is bad replace it that's the best I can do with limited info