Lawn Mower Help?

Question

Here's the deal folks, I've got a rider mower that has not been able to start for the last month and a half. I've done the tune up and replaced the battery, took the starter apart and cleaned it thoroughly and it still won't start. It will make a "clicking" sound when the key is turned but it will not start.

Of course I'm too cheap to put any money into it until I've checked all the smaller things first. Here's my thoughts:

1. The starter is bad and needs to be replaced.

2. Something electrical (not my forte).

If anyone else has any other thoughts please let me know what you're thinking.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

If the starter clicks but the starter motor does not spin, then the starter motor needs to be replaced. If you have a remote starter solenoid, be certain that it is working properly. The connections must be tight and clean on both sides of the solenoid.  It is a small piece about the size of a pop can, but 1/2 as tall. It should have 2 large wires and 1 or more smaller wires.  Take a picture of it before you remove it or any wires. Number the wires and draw a picture also.   The 2 large wires will go from the battery to solenoid and the solenoid to the starter motor.  The solenoid is a heavy duty switch they do wear out.  

The clicking sound is probably the solenoid engaging, the unit can be bypassed and the starter then checked for operation.  I suspect the starter is not functional and it should be replaced.    Good luck.

Answer 2

Replace the solenoid.  You can check the starter with another battery.  Use jumper cables, ground the neg to the tractor frame or engine than touch the pos to the starter terminal.  It will spark some but the starter should turn the engine over.  That should confirm the solenoid is bad.  You can check the solenoid with a volt meter.  With the key in the start position you should get 12volts on the starter side of the solenoid.

Answer 3

you can check the solenoid by jump starting the mower by hooking the jumper cables to the negative side of the battery and touch the positive cable to the bolt where the cable connects to the starter and see of the starter turns, if it just trys to turn, charge the battery or buy a stronger one if that dont work, if it does nothing, replace the solenoid. just be sure there are no gas leaks...... also, be careful when touching the cable to the bolt because it sparks and could possibly melt the clamps on the jumper cables of not careful

Answer 4

hey there

sounds like to me with a clicking noise that it may be a solenoid. Its a round looking thing next to it that stores enough energy to fire the starter.

I would unhook the starter and hook it up to a battery charger directly and see if it works... then you will know if its a starter or its the solenoid. I would bet on the solenoid

thanks

Answer 5

Make sure you have tight and good connections at the battery, and the ground on the engine.  We had a new mower that clicked, and the ground was bad.  The solenoid has two big red wires connected to the top of it.  One goes to the battery, the other to the starter.  You can have that checked at an autoparts store, or your local mower dealer.  

Answer 6

My money is on a dirty connection or corroded battery cable. Your are getting some juice through if it clicks, just not enough. These problems most always turn out to be a either an unclean connection at one end of the battery cable or the other, or there might be some corrosion in the battery cable that is hidden under the insulation.

Clean the connectors and spray with a little WD-40. If that doesn't do it, peel back some insulation on the cable and take a look.