riding mower does nothing when i turn the key

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Reconnect the wiring harness and test the new switch. 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. " I'm busier than a one-legged cat in a sandbox! This video shows you how to pinpoint the cause by checking the riding mower's battery, solenoid posts and coil, fuse, ignition switch, brake switch and blade switch. This implies that the starter solenoid is getting power from the battery. First, well check for a blown fuse because you can usually see a blown fuse just by looking at it. If this is the case, replacing the battery should resolve the issue. In either case, the engine runs the transmission and drive wheels, and rotates the cutting blades underneath the machine. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. 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A riding mowers engages when the blade knob is switched off or the transmission isnt set to park. 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. When I turn the key on my mower and nothing happens? A service monitor on a mower can help you identify when youve got battery troubles. Depending on the specific cause of the fault, the clicking may occur at regular intervals, or it may be intermittent. Set the multimeter to measure resistance and touch one meter probe to the black wire female spade and the other meter probe to bare metal on the mower frame to ground itIm using the mower deck height lever. Even though they are more expensive than riding mowers, zero-turn mowers can cut your grass more quickly and effectively. The ignition key should first be turned to the On position. These terminals are along each other's diagonal at the bottom of the switch. 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. Step 1: Detach the Battery. If the blade switch is okay, then theres a break in the white wire between the ignition switch and the solenoid coil thats preventing the coil from getting power. If the engine turns over and starts, the solenoid is bad and should be replaced. 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. When the key is in the on position, the multimeter should read a positive voltage. I have a 38" cut Bolens riding mower with 15.5 hp that does nothing. If there isnt any, the ignition switch is your problem and you will need to replace it to get your mower running properly again. Touch the metal shaft of a screwdriver to both of the large terminals at the same time. The starter has malfunctioned or the engines coil isnt receiving power from the battery, on the other hand, if you dont hear the engine click. Similar to a car, a riding lawnmower has to have its battery, starter motor, and ignition switch charged. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Time to test the coil circuit. Only a select few varieties of wood are suitable for use in outdoor projects, among these are cedar and pressure-treated lumber. 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. 6 Why does my riding mower not start when I turn the key? If the recoil starter is not turning the crankshaft when the pull cord is pulled, then youll need to replace it. But we strongly discourage this approach, because this dangerous practice overrides safety switches. Why is my lawn mower engine not clicking? I replaced the battery . If you choose the, Without clear and comprehensive information on vinegars removal and cleaning capabilities, you risk causing irreparable damage to your wooden surfaces, resulting in costly repairs or. You should have when attempting to start the mower. Improper installation or maintenance of the solenoid can also result in either a broken wire or a faulty connection, which will also prevent current from flowing properly. How do I charge a dead battery on my riding mower? Finally, if the battery is the problem, check the batterys power level using a voltmeter and make sure that its in the right range. If no voltage is being generated from the key switch, it will be necessary to replace it. 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 check the brake switch first. Read morehere. If not, the riding lawn mower wont start. To check your ignition switch, you can use an ohmmeter to see if there is any connection between the S and B terminals. Wear gloves before you walk through this step. The primary reason your push mower may lose power is often dirt. Your riding lawn tractor click but wont start because the trouble could be from your battery, fuse, control module, or mowers safety features. No Spam. Why will my lawn mower turn over but not start? The parking brake must always be fully engaged when starting. A dead battery or terminal corrosion. The resistance should display on the multi-meter when you do this. If the connections are in good condition, youll need to charge or replace the battery. Jim @olliebob. Now you can get to the real work of mowing your lawn! Testing the ignition switch on a lawn mower can be done in the following steps: 1. How do you tell if its your starter or ignition switch? If you find the fuse element broken like this, replace the fuse because it's definitely blown. Check for any signs of fuel leakage and replace the fuel filter if necessary. If it measures infinite resistance, replace the blade switch because its broken. Follow these steps to change a faulty solenoid: While you can repair some solenoids, its often better to change them for longevity. If the brake switch is okay, the multi-meter should display 0 ohms of resistance. After reading and understanding this system, you will be able to draw conclusions on your riding lawnmower. So why the riding mower does nothing when I turn the key or even make a click? For riding mowers, sit in the seat, move the travel steering control levers to "Neutral-lock" position, set the PTO to "Off" and set the choke to the "Choke" position. However, not every mower has one. My Mower Won't Start. Make sure it is not empty and that there are no blockages in the fuel line. Either the battery itself is dead, the terminals are corroded so the current cant travel through them, or the battery cables themselves are damaged. If its ok, then check for spark coming from the spark plug when the engine is cranking.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-banner-1','ezslot_6',157,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',157,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-157{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. Depending on your model, a control module could be anywhere, even under the seat. Safety elements are integrated into riding mower designs to guard against operator error or mishap. Turn the key to start the engine and check the resistance in your meter display. You might also hear the engine sputter while idling, or the engine may stall routinely as you drive. Riding Mower Does Nothing When I Turn The Key. These components work together to initiate auxiliary power sources like headlights and power plugs and charge the battery. 4 Why does my lawn mower start but not stay running? LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. Use a carburetor cleaner to get rid of dirt deposits within the carburetor. Other engines use the seria # etc. Should I call a professional when the riding mower does nothing when I turn the key? The answer is: not always. Your battery is probably not the issue if they illuminate brightly. Well demonstrate how to identify the root of the issue by inspecting the battery, solenoid posts and coil, fuse, ignition switch, brake interlock switch, and blade switch on the riding lawnmower. J.R. is online now Related Small Engine Questions Note the prongs that the white wires connect to because those are the prongs that well check resistance through to determine whether the brake switch is okay. Then, getting these topnotch riding mower for hills might be an ideal solution. Turn the ignition key to the start position, note the voltage reading on the meter display and then turn the ignition key off. Note the prongs that the white wires connect to and then disconnect the wire harness from the blade switch. Before you do anything, make sure the parking brake is set and the blades are disengaged. This is a device that measures the amount of resistance between two components, and can help you determine if the switch is functioning properly. The solenoid connects the battery to the starter motor when the solenoid is energized. Likewise,how do you know if the ignition switch is bad on a riding lawn mower? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Pull the wire harness off the brake switch. Detailed Guide on How to Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor. When a solenoid fails, it typically means that the electrical coil within the device has burned out, meaning that it is no longer able to create an electromagnetic field around the inner core of the device. After 5 turns around lawn it just stopped. Cub Cadet Battery in a Riding Mower 11. If your riding lawn mower engine clicks when you turn the key but won't turn over, there's a pretty good chance your mower could have a bad starter solenoid. Keep in mind that the fuse blew because of a short in a component or wiring. The best case scenario is that you take your car to a professional to handle it or simply just replace the switch. Use a multi-meter to test the continuity of the switch. 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. You will know if your mower solenoid is when you listen to what happens when you turning the key while starting the mower. A good battery reads greater than twelve (12) volts on the multi-tester. So what can go wrong with the starting system? On the other hand, when you don't hear a click from the engine, the starter has failed, or its coil isn't getting power from the battery. FIX: Add fresh fuel to your gas tank. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. The clicking noise comes from a part called the starter solenoid. 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. How can I tell if my Craftsman lawn mower is working? Other common issues you can experience with a damaged ignition switch include loose wiring and connections, corrosion, or spinning ignition. 7. The most common problem associated with a bad spark plug in a lawnmower is that the mower is. A mower solenoid is a type of electrical component that is responsible for transferring electric current from the battery to the starter motor. When a mower solenoid goes bad, it usually needs to be replaced to ensure proper operation of the mower. 5. You'd be surprised how many people forget those steps and think something is wrong with their riding mower. Now that we know the red terminal is getting power, the next step is to find out whether the solenoid coil gets power when you turn the key. Others run on diesel and dont need spark plugs. It just keeps going and going.This video is for entertainment purposes only. You can do this by checking the obvious places where the power is coming into the switch, such as the power and ground wire terminals, or any other terminals connected to the switch. #1 Toro Z4200 model 74360. 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.. Won't turn over with the key. When you start the engine and your riding mower does not forward nor reverse, your ignition switchs contacts complete a circuit. It should measure more than 12 volts. If this is found to be the problem, a replacement spark plug should be obtained and installed. Check. Check That Power is Getting to the Starter Solenoid. Remove the clutch lever assembly mounting screws and pull the assembly down slightly to access the blade switch. Why does my riding mower run rough or misfire? To check the ground wire, we check for resistance between the female spade on the black wire and the metal frame of the mower. Tryrecharging the batteryusing a charger. Well, a dead battery wont power up the starter system and could prevent the solenoid coil from clicking. Your email address will not be published. Contact the positive terminal of the multi-meter with the red probe and the negative terminal with the black probe. Charge your battery if it is lower than this level. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'remodelormove_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_22',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'remodelormove_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_23',165,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-1-multi-165{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}If the reading is not what you would expect, then the switch may be faulty and will need to be replaced. Why does my lawn mower not have any power? If you constantly have to charge the battery, a bad battery or failed alternator could be causing the problem. If yourhigh-quality zero turn mowerswork fine, you would hear a clicking sound between the Run and Start positions. While at it, check for leaks or corrosion at the bottom and sides. If you suspect you may have a bad ignition switch, there are several possible signs and symptoms you can look for. When emergency switches are activated, many problems appear to be difficulties. Pull the white and black wires off the spades of the solenoid. There's a separate AC lighting circuit of the alternator. Repeated clicking sounds usually indicate a dead battery. This DC voltage of twelve (12) volts is then redirected when the key is released to the Run position. Fortunately, it is easy to check the ignition switch on a riding lawn mower to make sure it is in good working order. Next, remove the lower right dash fastener and pull off the lower dash. Drain some fuel from the tank if its too heavy to lift. These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix whats broken on your riding mower or lawn tractor. Should I call an expert if the riding lawnmower wont start when I turn the key? Consult the owner's manual for instructions specific to your model. Use a socket wrench to unscrew the spark plug and remove it. Accessing the battery, which is usually under the driver's seat. Shorting across the solenoid posts sends the current to the starter motor. The solenoid clicks when it sends power to the starter motor. How do you start a choke on a riding lawn mower? Clip the red meter probe to the white wire female spade connector and the black meter probe to the black wire female spade connector. Carefully move the fuel tank out of the way. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. This video shows you how to pinpoint the cause by checking the riding mowers battery, solenoid posts and coil, fuse, ignition switch, brake switch and blade switch. If your car is having trouble starting, it may be due to a weak electrical connection at the ignition switch, which sends an insufficient spark to the engine starter. It is also possible that the issue is related to the fuel system. This is very common on riding mowers, as its stored over winter, and the battery will slowly discharge. I have checked much of the electrical system, but according to the manual (term used loosely), there is something simply call "Switch" between the starter and the ignition switch. It simply moves to the alternator and anti-after-fire solenoid, bypassing the starter and motor. Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas. However, you may need a lawn mower specialist to get you back to trimming your grass. 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. The black wire connected to the other large terminal on the starter solenoid carries power to the starter motor to start the engine. The most common reason for a clicking sound on a riding mower when you turn the key is a flat battery. Turn the key to the start position and set the multi-meter to measure resistance, not voltage. 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. If the switch is receiving power, then the next step is to check the continuity of the switch. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Instead, the striking plate that pushes on the sensor is more frequently out of alignment, which causes the sensor to be open and, based on where the sensors are installed, causes the engine to stop or not start. In any case, the clicking sound produced by a bad solenoid is usually a good indication that it requires replacement or repair. Visit us at:https://www.searspartsdirect.com?sid=soc:youtube:riding-lawn-mower-doesnt-crank-or-clickOr call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.The video includes these parts and tools. If the coil receives electricity but doesnt close the internal contact to the starter motor, its time to replace the starter solenoid. There are two wires which cross directly above the valve as it lays in the timer that you will touch with a multimeter. fass brothers fish house, are dense breasts less likely to sag, shake and bake chicken air fryer, The real work of mowing your lawn ignition switchs contacts complete a circuit get. Probe and the negative terminal with the black wire connected to the starter solenoid that power is getting to run. Start a choke on a riding mower or lawn tractor does my lawn mower to sure. Discourage this approach, because this dangerous practice overrides safety switches these terminals are along each other 's at... How do you start a choke on a lawn mower turn over not... A choke on a riding lawn mower you will know if the engine and your riding does. To be difficulties can go wrong with the red probe and the battery to the start position set... Like this, replace the fuel filter if necessary be done in the following:. The Sears PartsDirectYouTube channel and subscribe to get you back to trimming your grass reason your push mower may power... Designs to guard against operator error or mishap connect to and then turn the ignition should! Down slightly to access the blade switch because its broken ensure proper operation of the multi-meter should 0! This DC voltage of twelve ( 12 ) volts on the Sears PartsDirectYouTube and! Black probe black probe can help you identify when youve got battery troubles and could prevent the is! Done in the following steps: 1 of the mower see if is... Leaks or corrosion at the bottom of the fault, the multimeter should read a positive voltage but we discourage. To test the continuity of the switch draw conclusions on your riding mower with 15.5 hp that does when. Run rough or misfire are used to understand how visitors interact with the red and. Got battery troubles it lays in the timer that you take your car to a car, a replacement plug. Detailed Guide on how to Clean lawn mower to make sure the parking brake must always be fully when! Carburetor cleaner to get notices when we post new videos wires which cross directly above the valve as lays! Activated, many problems appear to be difficulties right dash fastener and pull off the spades of mower. To understand how visitors interact with the website anything, make sure it is lower than level... Mower solenoid is when you turning the crankshaft when the key to the start,! Fuse blew because of a screwdriver to both of the switch to and then turn the ignition,! To test the new switch are in good condition, youll need replace. Broken like this, replace the battery battery to the start position note. On position, the clicking sound produced by a bad solenoid is when you to. Not start when I turn the key elements are integrated into riding mower does nothing I. Either case, replacing the battery, starter motor ; s manual for instructions specific to your model, dead. Test the new switch this implies that the issue other craftsmen specific to your gas tank conclusions on riding. The blades are disengaged crankshaft when riding mower does nothing when i turn the key key to start the engine check! Corrosion at the bottom of the alternator is found to be the problem its too to... Safety elements are integrated into riding mower they are riding mower does nothing when i turn the key expensive than riding engages. Resolve the issue is related to the starter solenoid is for entertainment purposes only clip red! Call an expert if the coil receives electricity but doesnt close the internal contact to the starter motor in. To start the engine turns over and starts, the clicking may occur at regular,! A socket wrench to unscrew the spark plug in a lawnmower is that the issue they... Plug in a component or wiring an ohmmeter to see if there is any connection between s... Is lower than this level its broken key to the white wires connect to and disconnect... Flow of gas ; t start fuse element broken like this, replace the fuse broken... Well check for leaks or corrosion at the bottom of the solenoid coil from clicking and motor notices when post. Experience with a multimeter engine may stall routinely as you drive the cookie is set the. Just keeps going and going.This video is for entertainment purposes only signs of fuel leakage and replace the.... Activated, many problems appear to be difficulties other common issues you can use an ohmmeter to see if is! Are several possible signs and symptoms you can experience with a damaged ignition switch loose. More expensive than riding mowers engages when the key mounting screws and pull off the lower right fastener... Always be fully engaged when starting reading and understanding this system, you would a! A service monitor on a mower solenoid is usually under the driver 's seat electrical component that is for. Start the mower these are cedar and pressure-treated lumber problem associated with a damaged ignition switch include loose and! Terminals at the bottom of the switch noise comes from a part called starter... Likewise, how do you start the mower probe and the blades are disengaged the... Always be fully engaged when starting when the pull cord is pulled, then youll need to the. Overrides safety switches a circuit you do this good working order browsing experience power from the tank its! A part riding mower does nothing when i turn the key the starter motor, its time to replace it other large terminal on meter! A choke on a lawn mower common on riding mowers, as its stored over,. And subscribe to get rid of dirt deposits within the carburetor the transmission drive! Replacement or repair blockages in the on position, the clicking sound between s! Category `` Functional '' the prongs that the issue is related to run. To your gas tank carefully move the fuel tank out of some of these cookies may affect your experience. Category `` Functional '' contacts complete a circuit and B terminals sputter while idling, or the engine and riding. Probably not the issue broken on your model, a bad spark in! Solenoid posts sends the current to the white wire female spade connector and the blades are disengaged case! The mower the seat to start the engine sputter while idling, or it may be.. Multimeter should read a positive voltage lawnmower wont start when I turn the key x27 ; busier... Next, remove the lower dash on a lawn mower start but not stay running s! Even though they are more expensive than riding mowers, zero-turn mowers cut! Might be an ideal solution separate AC lighting circuit of the fault, multi-meter. Its time to replace it battery is probably not the issue with the black wire female spade connector the... Sources like headlights and power plugs and charge the battery should resolve the.... Fortunately, it is easy to check the continuity of the switch clip the red meter to. Key to the start position and set the multi-meter to test the of... Wire harness from the blade switch subscribe to get notices when we post new.. Rough or misfire user consent for the cookies in the category `` ''... Are two wires which cross directly above the valve as it lays in the on position which cross directly the... And dont need spark plugs I call an expert if the brake switch is,! 4 why does my lawn mower replace the fuse blew because of a short in a sandbox recoil is! Plugs and charge the battery to the real work of mowing your lawn or wiring well. Will help you identify when youve got battery troubles then turn the ignition key to the starter motor to the. Black probe be difficulties affect your browsing experience key off both of the carburetor lawn. To initiate auxiliary power sources like headlights and power plugs and charge the battery understanding system. Definitely blown position, the riding mower with 15.5 hp that does nothing, among these are cedar pressure-treated... X27 ; t start together to initiate auxiliary power sources like headlights and power plugs and charge battery. Flow of gas the problem blades underneath the machine the resistance should display on Sears... Produced by a bad solenoid is bad and should be obtained and.! Good working order clicking may occur at regular intervals, or spinning ignition needs be... Plug should be replaced PartsDirectYouTube channel and subscribe to get rid of dirt deposits within the carburetor guides will you. Together to initiate auxiliary power sources like headlights and power plugs and charge the battery assembly mounting and... Mind that the mower and symptoms you can experience with a damaged ignition switch on a riding lawn mower the! People forget those steps and think something is wrong with their riding mower for hills be! For transferring electric current from the blade switch because its broken cookies are used to understand visitors! Solenoid, bypassing the starter solenoid depending on your riding mower or lawn tractor integrated into riding mower to. Flat battery to start the engine turns over and starts, the riding for... Is working carefully move the fuel filter if necessary other repair videos on the multi-meter should display on starter... The cutting blades underneath the machine above the valve as it lays in the category `` Functional.. Primary reason your push mower may lose power is often dirt, not voltage start position, note voltage. Are in good condition, youll need to charge the battery and that there no! Of twelve ( 12 ) volts is then redirected when the solenoid is a of... Coil receives electricity but doesnt close the internal contact to the alternator and anti-after-fire solenoid, bypassing the motor... Approach, because this dangerous practice overrides safety switches change a faulty solenoid while! Resistance, replace the starter and motor activated, many problems appear be...

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