riding lawn mower help

[missioncontrol]

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???

[Clonedsheep]

Faint Click sounds like the Battery. May have sat too long. How tall is your grass?

[missioncontrol]

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.

[beek]

Could be one of the safety switches.  Is the pto disengaged?  I forgot about that one once. 

[missioncontrol]

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.......

 

[GameOver]

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--!!)   

[missioncontrol]

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.

 

[toolaa]

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.

[daywane]

that was my problem. white wire was loose

[Harry Potter]

Spark plugs?

[missioncontrol]

well it's at the repair shop...

guess we'll find out in a week

[Stingray]

Sounds like a solenoid to me too.

-S

[NIVO]

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 

[Crazy Cooter]

Was the battery you bought charged?  I've bought several that needed to be charged before using them.

[missioncontrol]

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"........

[DrewKaree]

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!"

[scooter]

You have to be sitting on the seat on mine for it to start (or pushing down on it).   

[toolaa]

probably is the solenoid....

MC,  Just wondering what was the final diagnosis of the mower problem? 

[missioncontrol]

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.........

[fredster]

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.

[chasmosis]

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...

[DrewKaree]

Pushing it into the ditch will make you feel better, but in the end, will only force you to curse longer

[missioncontrol]

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 

$45 to fix it.....

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

[toolaa]

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.....

[DrewKaree]

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.

[toolaa]

Someone else already took care of one of those things for you

Someone Found Fats?

[DrewKaree]

Someone else already took care of one of those things for you

Someone Found Fats?

It's bar-closing time somewhere in the world

[Stingray]

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

[toolaa]

You are such a slacker.

[missioncontrol]

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

[DrewKaree]

you forgot annoy new neighbor

And shoot doorbell with a pellet gun, but only if kids reside in that house

[missioncontrol]

and I'm sure that if we talk to your wife there are plenty of other things you failed to put on the list

[DrewKaree]

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.

• Shoot doorbell with a pellet gun, but only if kids reside in that house 
• duct tape wife's mouth shut.  wrap tightly, making sure to leave "nose holes"

 

[missioncontrol]

Duct Tape - the solution to life's simple problems