lawn mower issues

[SAWYER]

I pulled my mower out to get it ready to mow and it will not start by jumping it on the battery posts. I thought maybe the solenoid was bad and replaced it, same thing. If I put the + jumper directly on the starter where the power cable connects and ground it somewhere it will turn over no problem and start. What do you suggest I try next? It is a Craftsman Yard Machines Briggs and Stratten with a 19.5 hp motor

 

[EightySix Four]

Probably the cables which run between the battery and starter...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Does it have gas?

 

[boomerang]

Cables, bad ground from the battery to the frame (or wherever it goes), bad cable connections at the battery itself, or a bad battery.

When it's running are you removing the jumper cables, or do they need to be in place for it to remain running?

If it was starting and running fine last fall, my guess is that it's just the battery. If you have a charger, (I would not exceed 10 amps on that small battery), see if it will take a charge. If not, you know the culprit.

 

[SAWYER]

I can jump it and run it just fine. The battery was brand new last year.

 

[LTC8K6]

Probably just the battery. It has an alternator, so that's why it runs okay once you get it started.

 

[Eli]

Probably just the battery. It has an alternator, so that's why it runs okay once you get it started.

It does have an alternator, but it doesn't need power to run. All but the biggest Briggs engines use magneto ignition.

 

[boomerang]

I can jump it and run it just fine. The battery was brand new last year.

You're going to have to check the connections or the battery itself. Current is not flowing where it needs to go.

You may have bad connections at the battery, the starter, or the ground is bad. If those check out okay, you have to suspect the battery. It may have completely discharged over the winter. It may or may not come back to life, but you'll have to put a charger on it to find out.

 

[boomerang]

It does have an alternator, but it doesn't need power to run. All but the biggest Briggs engines use magneto ignition.

Good point. I'm actually embarrassed I didn't realize that.

 

[SAWYER]

I can run the + cable to the - post and it sparks

 

[boomerang]

Well now we're getting somewhere. So there's a key start and nothing happens when you turn the key - right?

Just re-read the post. Umm, you're jumping across the terminals on the battery when you get that spark?

 

[SAWYER]

Yes

 

[boomerang]

Yes to both? If both, never, never, never short across the terminals of the battery. Ever!

You've either got a bad switch or current is not getting to the switch. One of the wires at the switch is going to be battery voltage. When turned the switch will complete the circuit to the starter solenoid. There will be a post on the solenoid where that wire connects. When current flows through that wire to the post, the solenoid is energized providing current to the starter.

This is simple circuitry. Check for voltage at the switch. If good, check for voltage at the switch when the key is turned, if good, check for voltage at the post on the solenoid. You should be able to figure out where the problem lies. It's either wires or the switch.

Check for fuses first. You may just have a blown fuse.

As a side issue, if you'd said the motor won't turn over, or the starter won't spin or something along those lines, we could have homed in on this sooner. There is a big difference between it won't start and it won't turn over.

 

[SAWYER]

thanks

 

[boomerang]

Let us know how you make out if you get it going.

 

[SAWYER]

I will be out of town on vacation the next week but then I will try the suggestions and let you all know

 

[LTC8K6]

It does have an alternator, but it doesn't need power to run. All but the biggest Briggs engines use magneto ignition.

Looks like even the biggest do. I thought it was only the small ones.

 

[Eli]

Looks like even the biggest do. I thought it was only the small ones.

Not this one..

Doesn't look like they make their 3 cylinder engines anymore though.. lol

 

[SooperDave]

My Yard Machines (by MTD) is a 13.5hp Briggs and there is a switch on the brake system that won't allow it to crank unless the pedal is depressed all the way. Also has a seat switch that will kill it while running. I don't know if it will cause a no-crank issue tho. I'll check tomorrow. Oh, and a nuetral safety switch too.

 

[cardiac]

My Yard Machines (by MTD) is a 13.5hp Briggs and there is a switch on the brake system that won't allow it to crank unless the pedal is depressed all the way. Also has a seat switch that will kill it while running. I don't know if it will cause a no-crank issue tho. I'll check tomorrow. Oh, and a nuetral safety switch too.

That is where I was going. My Wheelhorse has so many safety switches, it's a pain to trace one down when it goes bad. This is a good starting point....

Bob