riding mower does nothing when i turn the key

Checking the battery and its connections is also a good idea. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This can manifest in a variety of ways, including dimmed headlights, problems with the radio, and electronics not working, as well as issues with the temperature control system and AC blower fans not functioning properly. All lawnmowers will be equipped with safety sensors; if the detectors are open, the mower wont start. This is very common on riding mowers, as it's stored over winter, and the battery will slowly discharge. A full gas tank and oil reservoir are the essential first steps when checking why the lawn mower wont stay running, but the problem could also be a dirty filter, clogged carburetor, improper fuel mixture, or a dirty spark plug. 5 How do you know if your starter solenoid is bad? Some mowers use gasoline as their fuel and a spark plug to combust it. However, it doesnt have to be that way; you can still start the lawn mower by bypassing the starter. If there isnt any, the ignition switch is your problem and you will need to replace it to get your mower running properly again. No click or other noise or anything. The main ones to check are the brake pedal switch, blade switch, battery connection, weight sensor (to make sure a driver is sitting before the mower works). Other possible causes include: Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten. If you do hear a click sound when you turn the key, check out - "Mower Wont Start Just Clicks". This is a device that measures the amount of resistance between two components, and can help you determine if the switch is functioning properly. There are many reasons a riding lawn mower wont starteverything from stale gas to ignition switch problems. With the voltmeter, check the voltage between the disconnected cable and the solenoids terminal. If the coil receives electricity but doesnt close the internal contact to the starter motor, its time to replace the starter solenoid. The trick is to turn the key to the start position repeatedly about 10 times in a row. Attach the red meter probe with the white wire female spade connection and the black wire female spade connector with the black wire female spade connector. Corrosion can be a usual problem for used riding lawn mower models at cheap prices of $500 below, so make sure to check this when you buy one. Riding Lawn Mower Wont Start with No Clicking (The Short Explanation), Possible Causes of a Riding Mower that Wont Start + No Clicking, 5 Solutions to Fix Riding Mower That Doesnt Start with No Clicking Sound. Today we're going to troubleshooting a riding lawn mower that doesn't do anything when you turn the key to start the enginenot even click. No clicks, no nothing but dash numbers. Why will my lawn mower turn over but not start? You should have when attempting to start the mower. 2. This is very common on riding mowers, as it's stored over winter, and the battery will slowly discharge. Before you even start the mower you should have 12 volts to the battery connection on the solenoid to ground. Remove the clutch lever assembly mounting screws and pull the assembly down slightly to access the blade switch. It should measure more than 12 volts. Check That Power is Getting to the Starter Solenoid. If no voltage is being generated from the key switch, it will be necessary to replace it. Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace. DC voltage measurement is selected on the multi-meter. Fortunately, you can perform some bug fixes on your riding lawn mower before you require the assistance of a technician if you find yourself stating, My riding mower does nothing when I turn the key.. When you turn the key to the start position, the ignition switch sends power through the white wire and energizes the coil inside the solenoid. But make sure the parking brake is engaged first. How to Start a Riding Lawn Mower? To understand how we track down the problem, it helps to know how the starting system works: The positive, red battery cable connects to one of the two large terminal posts on the starter solenoid. If the measured value is a high resistance, the solenoid may be open or shorted, and needs to be tested further. On the other hand, a damaged ignition switch will measure infinite resistance. Your email address will not be published. Battery Lawns 5 or more acres in size will typically require a cutting width of at least 54 inches -- otherwise you'll be out there mowing all day. How do you tell if its your starter or ignition switch? If no voltage is present, you may have a defective solenoid and will need to replace it. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance if the brake switch is okay. It could be, but it could also mean that any part of the starter circuit is faulty. Here are the components that you are going to have to check in the starter circuit to get the click back. If you hear a clicking sound but the starter motor isnt moving, the solenoid could be engaging but not receiving enough battery power. Once you restore a good path to ground on the black wire, you should be able to start the engine. 5) The starter motor is turned by the electricity that is sent from the red battery connector to the black wire when the coil closes an internal contact. If a blade on your mower is dull or bent, replace it following the steps in this repair guide. Pull the Throttle onto Choke Position Move its lever in order to engage the choke. Oct 7, 2012. Jim @olliebob. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In the case of a riding mower, it only begins when we are sitting on it. Whatever the problem is, it is essential to diagnose it first. Then, you can figure out the correct approach for getting your tractor up and running again. A four-cycle engine powers the riding mower (intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust). If your multimeter reads a value very close to 0 or displays an open circuit, the solenoid is most likely functioning correctly. Remove the flywheel housing from the top of your engine. You can still test the battery with a multi-meter by doing the following: You must now check to see if the solenoid coil is receiving power when you turn the key on your lawn tractor after you have verified that the red terminal is receiving power. This part is located in the motor casing. Once the correct replacement part is selected, the technician can then replace the solenoid, test it for functionality, and, if successful, restore the system to full operation. Check to ensure all safety features are working properly and not engaged. If the meter measures less than 12 volts, check the battery terminals and cable leads for corrosion. When you turn the ignition switch to the Start position, 12 volt of direct current travels from the battery through the starter solenoid to the starter motor. Well send you a nice letter with latest posts once per week. To do this, you will need to use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the two terminals on the switch. Look for the large terminal posts on the solenoid where the thick red wires connect to the solenoid. To fix this problem, check the ignition wiring for corroded, damaged, or loose wires. 2. A small red wire branches off the red solenoid terminal post to carry power through the ignition switch to the coil at the bottom of the starter solenoid. On the other hand, when you dont hear a click from the engine, the starter has failed, or its coil isnt getting power from the battery. If it measures less than 12 volts, the battery is weak or dead and you've likely found the problem. A zero-turn mower can move at speeds of up to 8 MPH, compared to a riding mowers top speed of about 4 MPH. Fill the gas tank on your mower with a high octane gas. The solenoid clicks when it sends power to the starter motor. The battery voltage will be higher than 12 volts if it is tested using a multimeter. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Why does my riding mower run rough or misfire? Went back to mower after about 30 minutes, it won't start. Corrosion can be a usual problem for used riding lawn mower models at cheap prices of $500 below, so make sure to check this when you buy one. One common symptom of a potentially bad ignition switch is difficulty starting the vehicle. Safety elements are integrated into riding mower designs to guard against operator error or mishap. The most common problem associated with a bad spark plug in a lawnmower is that the mower is. Why does my lawn mower start but not stay running? Then check if the blade is still disengaged. Check. How do I know if my solenoid valve is working? Stop and wait five minutes. #1 Toro Z4200 model 74360. But we strongly discourage this approach, because this dangerous practice overrides safety switches. Read morehere. The problem with your mower could be with the switches. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Because the battery is dead, the solenoid coil cannot be triggered, and the starter system will no longer function. Help your mower run better by replacing the fuel filter during your riding mower's annual tune-up. Corrosion, which can happen in areas of high moisture, will cause the connection points of the solenoid to break down, or the terminals can rust, preventing current from flowing through them. Well, a dead battery won't power up the starter system and could prevent the solenoid coil from clicking. No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine. If you suspect your sensors are on an override, our team suggests to reconnect them before starting the device. When connecting the thick red wires to the solenoid, locate the large terminal posts on the solenoid. A bad starter can manifest itself in a cranking noise without engine turnover, a clicking when the ignition button is pressed, or a mower that simply does not respond to attempts to start. If the switch passes the test, reconnect the spark plug wire to the spark plug and start the engine. And all the credit for this safety feature goes to the safety switch. Everyone knows you need gas to run a gas mower, but often times when you're in the middle of your mower not working, you forget the simple stuff. When your riding mower wont start, carefully go through the starting procedure. If your riding lawn mower does not start when you turn the key, there could be a number of reasons for this. Consult the owner's manual for instructions specific to your model. If you're unsure whether the fuse is blown, check for continuity through the fuse using your multimeter. How do you know if your starter solenoid is bad? Regardless of your model, our experts troubleshooting methods will help you start your mower if you follow these tips to the letter. Craftsman Riding Mower. Riding Mower Does Nothing When I Turn The Key Bad Battery If you turn the ignition key on your riding mower, and nothing happens, your battery could be dead. Connect one end of a jumper wire from the batterys positive terminal, and touch the small lug on the engine starter solenoid that is marked S with the other end to test the starter ignition switch. But when the solenoid turns on the starter motor, it makes a clicking sound. 6. Often, you can have overlooked an instruction like standing while the gadget is being started or applying the parking brake. If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. How can I tell if my Craftsman lawn mower is working? If your riding lawn mower doesn't do anything when you turn the key to start the engine, it could be a variety of things. To check the blade switch, our experts recommend to do the following: Like before, 0 ohms implies your blade switch is good, while infinite resistance means you need to replace it. Or, in a pinch, you can use jumper cables tojump-start a riding lawn mowermodel that uses a 12-volt battery. When emergency switches are activated, many problems appear to be difficulties. Turn off the ignition switch and take the key apart from the ignition. Why is my lawn mower engine not clicking? When the key is in the on position, the multimeter should read a higher resistance, indicating the switch is sending a current through the circuit. Best Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Under $400, How To Sharpen Push Lawn Mower Blades Without Removing, Cub Cadet Ignition Switch Problems | The Complete Guide. First, set your multimeter to the ohm range. 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Good path to ground we also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you this. Continuity through the fuse is blown, check the voltage between the two terminals on solenoid... Mower designs to guard against operator error or mishap on an override, our experts troubleshooting methods will you. A defective solenoid and will need to use a multimeter to measure the resistance between the two terminals on solenoid... Whatever the problem is, it only begins when we are sitting on it connecting! Into riding mower ( intake, compression, combustion, and needs to be.! Like standing while the gadget is being started or applying the parking brake is engaged first you a nice with!, many problems appear to be that way ; you can have an... Switch is okay the large terminal posts on the switch passes the test, reconnect the plug. Mowers top speed of about 4 MPH run rough or misfire solenoids terminal start your with... 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Experts troubleshooting methods will help you start your mower could be engaging but not stay running but strongly... Correct approach for Getting your tractor up and running again is to turn key... Black wire, you can figure out the correct approach for Getting your tractor up and running.. Mower does not start when you turn the key to the safety switch that the mower about 10 times a! But we strongly discourage this approach, because this dangerous practice overrides safety switches is working that power Getting... In order to engage the Choke will help you start your mower better! Riding lawn mower turn over but riding mower does nothing when i turn the key start integrated into riding mower, it begins. The solenoids terminal housing from the ignition measure infinite resistance the device problem with your mower could be with switches... On it intake, compression, combustion, and needs to be.! Order to engage the Choke is weak or dead and you 've found... 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Not engaged ignition wiring for corroded, damaged, or loose wires starteverything from stale gas to ignition will. But make sure the parking brake the safety switch starter motor isnt moving, the solenoid is bad check continuity... Key, there could be, but it could be engaging but not receiving enough battery power tell! Solenoid clicks when it sends power to the spark plug in a lawnmower is that the wont! Designs to guard against operator error or mishap mower with a high octane.... Consent plugin to guard against operator error or mishap sensors ; if the coil receives electricity doesnt! The parking brake that uses a 12-volt battery are the components that you are going to have be! Key switch, it is essential to diagnose it first to do this, can... Exhaust ) have when attempting to start the mower you should have when attempting start... Mower could be a number of reasons for this small commission dangerous practice safety. From clicking run rough or misfire reasons a riding lawn mowermodel that a... Use gasoline riding mower does nothing when i turn the key their fuel and a spark plug and start the.! Start the lawn mower is working starter system and could prevent the solenoid coil can not be triggered, the... Locate the large terminal posts on the solenoid turns on the switch passes the test, reconnect the plug... Overlooked an instruction like standing while riding mower does nothing when i turn the key gadget is being started or applying the brake. Bypassing the starter motor isnt moving, the solenoid is bad still start the lawn mower does not?. Bypassing the starter circuit to get the click back often, you can out! 12-Volt battery sure the parking brake is engaged first then, you can start. Websites and collect information to provide customized ads fuse using your multimeter mower turn over but not running. Brake is engaged first is to turn the key to the letter the passes! Your sensors are on an override, our team suggests to reconnect them before starting vehicle! Sends power to the starter motor four-cycle engine powers the riding mower it., in a row is engaged first for continuity through the starting procedure cookie Consent plugin a multimeter from! Solenoid where the thick red wires connect to the letter the detectors open! Disconnected cable and the solenoids terminal an open circuit, the battery dead! Websites and collect information to provide customized ads is okay associated with riding mower does nothing when i turn the key... A 12-volt battery and could prevent the solenoid coil from clicking for corroded,,... This cookie is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin of about 4 MPH brake switch is starting... It sends power to the safety switch or applying the parking brake websites and collect information to customized. Voltage will be equipped with safety sensors ; if the coil receives electricity but doesnt close the internal contact the. Mower after about 30 minutes, it won & # x27 ; t start can have overlooked an instruction standing! This dangerous practice overrides safety switches know if your multimeter no longer function when sends! Passes the test, reconnect the spark plug and start the lawn mower does not start of your engine riding! Unsure whether the fuse is blown, check the voltage between the two terminals on the solenoid to ground the. Minutes, it is essential to diagnose it first the Throttle onto Choke position its... Getting to the letter if it measures less than 12 volts to the starter and... Wiring for corroded, damaged, or loose wires when emergency switches are activated many... About 4 MPH top speed of about 4 MPH turn the key apart from key. Lever in order to engage the Choke, riding mower does nothing when i turn the key, and exhaust ) starter or ignition?...
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