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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: missioncontrol on August 12, 2005, 05:12:34 pm

Title: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 12, 2005, 05:12:34 pm
allright last time I mowed my yard lawn mower worked fine.....

Today I went to start it I turned the key and nothing  :( I went and bought a new battery still nothing.... I do hear a faint click.... I checked the switch under the seat it's fine any suggestions???
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: Clonedsheep on August 12, 2005, 05:27:49 pm
Faint Click sounds like the Battery. May have sat too long. How tall is your grass?
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 12, 2005, 07:27:35 pm
Faint Click sounds like the Battery. May have sat too long. How tall is your grass?

I thought it may be the battery at first, I bought a new one today and still have the same symptoms.........

Grass isn't too tall yet, but I'm trying to start it on my driveway.



Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: beek on August 12, 2005, 07:30:14 pm
Could be one of the safety switches.  Is the pto disengaged?  I forgot about that one once. 
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 12, 2005, 09:05:32 pm
don't think it's a safety switch I don't hear the faint click if on of the safty switches is tripped.......

oh well guess it's off to the repair shop tomarrow.......

 :(
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: GameOver on August 12, 2005, 10:41:32 pm
Ideas..

1)  mine has a sort of 'parking brake' that can be accidentally engaged by my foot when getting on/off the mower.  It will not start if this is engaged.
2)  I have manual transmission - it will not start if it is in-between gears.  Make sure you are in gear.
3)  Mine will not start if the handle to engage the blades has been flipped 'ON'
4)  Got gas?  (in the mower, not your --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules--!!)   8)


???

Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 12, 2005, 10:49:30 pm
1) X  (mine needs brake pressed to start)
2) X  (Automatic Transmission)
3) X  (checked many times blades off)
4) X  (Full Tank)

but, thanks for the suggestions.

 ;D
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: toolaa on August 14, 2005, 01:02:41 am
Does you model have a starter solenoid.  Some mowers to.  The faint click may be the solenoid trying to engage but not moving far enough to trigger the starter.
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: daywane on August 14, 2005, 10:56:32 am
that was my problem. white wire was loose
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: Harry Potter on August 14, 2005, 10:59:29 am
Spark plugs?
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 14, 2005, 12:02:52 pm
well it's at the repair shop...

guess we'll find out in a week
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: Stingray on August 15, 2005, 09:23:28 am
Sounds like a solenoid to me too.

-S
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: NIVO on August 15, 2005, 11:58:14 am
i'd agree and say solenoid as well. Unfortunately the labor is gonna cost more than that part  :-\

if you had some spare bacon around you could've tried that too  ;D
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: Crazy Cooter on August 15, 2005, 03:11:15 pm
Was the battery you bought charged?  I've bought several that needed to be charged before using them.
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 15, 2005, 03:49:45 pm
probibly is the solinoid....

wasn't thinking to clearly with wife complaining about cutting yard and then getting a battery didn't solve the problem and then the parts store not taking it back because "it was installed"........
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: DrewKaree on August 15, 2005, 07:52:09 pm
Well, if I were you, I'd count your blessings and tell the wife she doesn't have to be so upset about it....when it gets back from the shop, you'll certainly be happy to let her cut the grass.  Oh, and before she starts in on you, print this picture and tell her "Woman, you've got it pretty easy.  Don't make me have to get all medevial on yer ass!"

(http://www.czabe.com/backup/2003/Volume%205/Yahoo!%20News%20-%20Entertainment%20Photos%20-%20Reuters_files/1046109796.2214625357.jpg)
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: scooter on August 16, 2005, 05:18:20 pm
You have to be sitting on the seat on mine for it to start (or pushing down on it).   ;D
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: toolaa on August 27, 2005, 04:48:57 pm
probably is the solenoid....


MC,  Just wondering what was the final diagnosis of the mower problem? 
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on August 27, 2005, 07:15:38 pm
MC, Just wondering what was the final diagnosis of the mower problem?

I'm not sure repair shop hasn't called me back yet  :( I'll let you know the results when I get it back.........
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: fredster on August 29, 2005, 09:49:43 am
I had this problem this weekend.

It was an MTD.  The starter selenoid was bad.  There are two switches that have to be made before the mower will start, at least two.  One on the lever that shows the position of the deck, and the other is the clutch.

Take a car battery and ground the neg and put the positive on the selenoid battery connection.  Try to start the mower.

If it starts, you have bypassed the selenoid.  It should run. If it doesn't, you have a switch failure somewhere.
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: chasmosis on August 30, 2005, 10:04:30 am
I think Fredster is on the right path here.  I've had similar things happen before as well, where there was a bad switch or relay and if you "jumped" the solenoid the mower would start.

On the other hand it could be that he's not sitting on the seat or pushing in the brake pedal (required on my mower to start) but I'm guessing he's used this mower before and is familiar with starting the mower...
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: DrewKaree on August 30, 2005, 11:00:15 pm
Pushing it into the ditch will make you feel better, but in the end, will only force you to curse longer
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on September 01, 2005, 03:45:07 pm
It's official to all those interested and hanging on to the edge of your seat about my mower problems........



and the winner is:


Does you model have a starter solenoid.  Some mowers to.  The faint click may be the solenoid trying to engage but not moving far enough to trigger the starter.



you don't really get a prize or anything, but if you want I can send you the bill  ;D

$45 to fix it.....

now to bad I can't afford the gas to cut my grass.........

Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: toolaa on September 01, 2005, 09:40:21 pm
Diagnose MC's Riding Mower Problem
Fix Broken Doorbell
Find End to Iraq War
Locate Fats Domino: Missing in N.O.
Propose great vacation idea to Sephroth57

1 down 4 to go.....
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: DrewKaree on September 01, 2005, 10:12:55 pm
Diagnose MC's Riding Mower Problem
Fix Broken Doorbell
Find End to Iraq War
Locate Fats Domino: Missing in N.O.
Propose great vacation idea to Sephroth57

1 down 4 to go.....

You are such a slacker.  Stop procrastinating and shake a leg.  Someone else already took care of one of those things for you, and in my opinion, Seph has been given several great vacation ideas.

And stop with the lists.  I come here to avoid crap my wife does.  Save that shite for your wife.  Eat some bac0n or something. ;)
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: toolaa on September 01, 2005, 10:28:01 pm
Someone else already took care of one of those things for you

Someone Found Fats?
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: DrewKaree on September 01, 2005, 11:23:46 pm
Someone else already took care of one of those things for you

Someone Found Fats?

It's bar-closing time somewhere in the world ;D
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: Stingray on September 02, 2005, 09:20:05 am
Someone else already took care of one of those things for you

Someone Found Fats?

Happy to say that Fats is alive & well. Check the other thread.

-S
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: toolaa on September 02, 2005, 06:41:49 pm
You are such a slacker.
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on September 02, 2005, 06:55:35 pm

Diagnose MC's Riding Mower Problem
Fix Broken Doorbell
Find End to Iraq War
Locate Fats Domino: Missing in N.O.
Propose great vacation idea to Sephroth57
Eat Baco
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: DrewKaree on September 02, 2005, 09:20:44 pm

you forgot annoy new neighbor


And shoot doorbell with a pellet gun, but only if kids reside in that house ::)
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on September 02, 2005, 09:32:38 pm
and I'm sure that if we talk to your wife there are plenty of other things you failed to put on the list
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: DrewKaree on September 02, 2005, 09:42:34 pm
and I'm sure that if we talk to your wife there are plenty of other things you failed to put on the list


Yeah, but my list includes one more thing he forgot that makes your idea there a bit of madness.


 ;D
Title: Re: riding lawn mower help
Post by: missioncontrol on September 02, 2005, 09:51:59 pm
Duct Tape - the solution to life's simple problems