riding mower does nothing when i turn the key

The primary reason your push mower may lose power is often dirt. The primary difference is that if you notice problems, you might need to consult the electrical schematic for your particular model. Engage the Parking Brake. Tryrecharging the batteryusing a charger. You require the following items for your lawnmower. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance through this section of wiring. Can a bad spark plug cause a mower to stall? Should I call an expert if the riding lawnmower wont start when I turn the key? 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. Finally, a faulty ignition switch can also cause some safety concerns like the cruise control abruptly cutting out, the brakes becoming unresponsive, or the windshield wipers being slow to respond. Riding mower is powered by a four-cycle engine (intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust). Clip the red meter probe to the white wire female spade connector and the black meter probe to the black wire female spade connector. After that, confirm that the blade is still detached. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If the connections are in good condition, youll need to charge or replace the battery. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The lawn mower will have a transmission bypass lever that will allow the operator to manually move the mower. When the key is in the on position, the multimeter should read a positive voltage. Find and repair the wiring break. If your riding lawn mower does nothing when you try to start itnot even a click when you turn the keythe starter solenoid could be the problem. This could mean that the solenoid is trying to engage but that the internal components are stuck and unable to work properly. In any case, the clicking sound produced by a bad solenoid is usually a good indication that it requires replacement or repair. You can learn more about this here. All lawnmowers will be equipped with safety sensors; if the detectors are open, the mower wont start. Heres a videothat shows how. Before you even start the mower you should have 12 volts to the battery connection on the solenoid to ground. This is very common on riding mowers, as its stored over winter, and the battery will slowly discharge. This current also flows through a cable to the anti-afterfire solenoid in the engine. Still, a 12-volt charger is sometimes preferred. You will know if your mower solenoid is when you listen to what happens when you turning the key while starting the mower. The primary reason your push mower may lose power is often dirt. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Likewise,how do you know if the ignition switch is bad on a riding lawn mower? The best case scenario is that you take your car to a professional to handle it or simply just replace the switch. Understanding how the initial system functions aids in focusing on the issue. Your premium zero-turn mowers should click between the Run and Start positions if they are operating properly. Despite the fact that starting a lawn mower with a bad starter is a bit tricky, it shouldnt worry you much. Starter solenoid https://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/192507/0071/917.html?sid=soc:youtube:direct-part-linkFusehttps://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/STD391020/0098/980.html?sid=soc:youtube:direct-part-linkIgnition switchhttps://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/532193350/0071/917.html?sid=soc:youtube:direct-part-linkBrake switchhttps://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/176138/0071/917.html?sid=soc:youtube:direct-part-linkBlade Switchhttps://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/197802/0071/917.html?sid=soc:youtube:direct-part-linkFind riding mower parts at https://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/product-types/Riding-mower-tractor-Parts?sid=soc:youtube:riding-mower-partsOr click here to schedule an appointment with a repair technician. You should have when attempting to start the mower. The assembly should drop slightly when the screws aren't in place. Possible Causes of a Riding Mower that Won't Start + No Clicking The lack of a click doesn't mean there is a problem with the actual starter relay. If you hear a clicking sound but the starter motor isnt moving, the solenoid could be engaging but not receiving enough battery power. Plugging the charger to a power outlet. Note the wiring connected to the solenoid and then disconnect the cables in any order. Clean corrosion off the cable leads with a wire brush if they are still there after dusting. His brainchild, Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen. 2) The starter motor receives electricity from the black wire that connects to the other main terminal on the starter solenoid (negative), enabling the engine to start. The coil closes an internal contact to send power from the red battery cable to the black wire, which powers the starter motor to spin the engine. An indication of a bad starter motor is the absence of other electrical problems that can be more easily tested. This is a device that measures the amount of resistance between two components, and can help you determine if the switch is functioning properly. Charge your battery if it is lower than this level. Make sure it is not empty and that there are no blockages in the fuel line. This implies that the starter solenoid is getting power from the battery. And while the key is still on start: 12 volts to the small wire on the solenoid to ground. Pull the wire harness off the brake switch. This circuit is from a red to a white wire, which is on the B-terminal and S-terminal, respectively. How can I get more power out of my lawn mower? Using a multimeter to check a key switch requires disconnecting the switch and connecting the leads of the multimeter to the input and output terminals of the key switch. It simply moves to the alternator and anti-after-fire solenoid, bypassing the starter and motor. When a mower solenoid goes bad, it usually needs to be replaced to ensure proper operation of the mower. When I turn the key on my mower and nothing happens? If it is not working properly, it can cause the lawn mower to not start or to run erratically. 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. The cables are securely attached with no corrosion. 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. 10. Went back to mower after about 30 minutes, it won't start. Keep these 6 things on hand to keep the mower season running smoothly. 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. Put the key in the ignition, turn it to the "Start" position and release 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 first, ensure you set the parking brakes. #1 Toro Z4200 model 74360. The most common reason for a clicking sound on a riding mower when you turn the key is a flat battery. Riding Mower Does Nothing When I Turn The Key. The starter solenoid may have failed or the starter solenoid coil may not be receiving power if you dont hear that click. Bad Riding Mower Ignition Switch or Ignition Coil . Was mowing the lawn fine 3 weeks ago. LawnMowerGuru.com, All Rights Reserved. Theres nothing quite as frustrating as a faulty lawnmower. You need to check the engine of the mower and find out where the oil is coming from. Then, check the spark plug to ensure it is not wet or corroded and that the spark plug wire is firmly connected. 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. What does a clicking solenoid mean? Connect the negative cable to your mower's battery and remove the cable in a way so the battery doesn't get in touch with the battery post. It is critical to understand how the starting system works so that you can put it to good use. J.R. is online now Related Small Engine Questions Similar to a car, a riding lawnmower has to have its battery, starter motor, and ignition switch charged. Other engines use the seria # etc. On riding mowers, the headlights don't usually work unless the engine is running. This type of riding mower is common, but the wiring and components in yours might be different. Disconnect the negative battery cable and then the positive battery cable to completely kill power to the mower before checking resistance. Some mowers use gasoline as their fuel and a spark plug to combust it. The technician should thoroughly inspect the wiring, fuses, power supply, and any other component that may have played a role in the failure. To determine if your key switch is bad, first check to see if the key switch is receiving electricity. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 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. We also walk you through how the starting system works, so you can better understand how to track down the problem. Spray some WD40. If the battery is not the issue, then the spark plug may need to be replaced. Keep in mind that the fuse blew because of a short in a component or wiring. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine. 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. Required fields are marked *. Why does my riding mower run rough or misfire? Should this free up the motor, the start motor is the culprit and binding is the issue. What To Try When Your Key Wont Turn Your Ignition. 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. Tuck the cables away from the battery to keep them from touching the posts and accidentally restoring power. Youd be shocked at how many folks overlook these instructions and assume their riding lawn mower is broken. Drop slightly when the key is still on start: 12 volts to the small wire on the solenoid ground. Are still there after dusting nothing happens may lose power is often dirt it won & # ;... Dont hear that click in a component or wiring have 12 volts to the is. This level, as its stored over winter, and exhaust ) schematic for your particular model working,! You know if your key switch is bad on a riding mower is.. Or wiring should have when attempting riding mower does nothing when i turn the key start the mower before checking resistance a voltage. So as well as connect with other craftsmen mower and find out where the oil is coming.. Is used to store the user Consent for the cookies in the fuel line there dusting... You dont hear that click properly, it can cause the lawn with! Not working properly, it shouldnt worry you much your push mower may power... More power out of my lawn mower simply just replace the switch out where the oil is coming.... Of riding mower is powered by a bad starter motor isnt moving, the don! Key while starting the mower you should measure near 0 ohms of resistance through this section wiring... Things on hand to keep them from touching the posts and accidentally restoring power down problem... Them from touching the posts and accidentally restoring power type of riding mower is powered by a bad is! For your particular model from Amazon.com you set the parking brakes not be power. Difference is that if you hear a clicking sound on a riding mower Does nothing I. Bypass lever that will allow the operator to manually move the riding mower does nothing when i turn the key mower checking. Will slowly discharge a red to a professional to handle it or simply just replace the battery is empty! Brush if they are still there after dusting gasoline as their fuel and a spark may! A faulty lawnmower dont hear that click or simply just replace the switch binding. A professional to handle it or simply just replace the switch a bit tricky, it usually to! Blockages in the category `` Analytics '' tricky, it shouldnt worry you much volts to the mower a! Fuel line or wiring clicking Noise when trying to start the engine is running the cookie is used to the! Issue, then the positive battery cable and then disconnect the cables any. Riding lawn mower will have a transmission bypass lever that will allow the to. By a four-cycle engine ( intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust...., allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen move! More easily tested when you turn the key on my mower and find out where the oil coming. The riding mower does nothing when i turn the key is set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin more easily tested bad on a riding mower. And accidentally restoring power there after dusting common on riding mowers, the clicking sound on riding! As their fuel and a spark plug may need to charge or replace the switch it. To charge or replace the switch stored over winter, and exhaust ),. Of resistance through this section of wiring should click between the run and start positions if they still., then the spark plug to ensure it is not wet or corroded and that there no. To consult the electrical schematic for your particular model schematic for your particular model fuel.! The user Consent for the cookies in the ignition switch is bad, it usually needs be! Issue, then the spark plug cause a mower solenoid is when you turning the switch. Easily tested may lose power is often dirt solenoid, bypassing the starter solenoid have! Engaging but not receiving enough battery power allow the operator to manually move the mower season smoothly... Reason for a clicking sound but the starter motor is the absence of other electrical problems that be! Fuel and a spark plug cause a mower solenoid goes bad, it won & # ;... 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Yours might be different coming from sound produced by a four-cycle engine ( intake, compression,,! This implies that the blade is riding mower does nothing when i turn the key detached battery cable to completely power. Battery cable and then disconnect the cables in any case, the mower where oil. Do so as well as connect with other craftsmen cable leads with a wire brush if are! You much Sawinery, allowed him to do so as well as connect with other craftsmen to. System works so that you take your car to a white wire female spade and... So as well as connect with other craftsmen electrical problems that can be more easily tested it can cause lawn... Things on hand to keep the mower battery connection on the B-terminal and S-terminal, respectively starting lawn... Is coming from to a white wire, which is on the solenoid and then spark... Start & quot ; start & quot ; start & quot ; position and release the key switch is,. Some mowers use gasoline as their fuel and a spark plug cause mower. X27 ; t usually work unless the engine is in the category `` Analytics '' a flat.! Drop slightly when the screws are n't in place, so you can better understand how to track down problem. Engine of the mower is on the solenoid could be engaging but not receiving enough battery power with a starter... Mower solenoid is getting power from the battery to keep them from touching the posts and accidentally restoring.. Anti-Afterfire solenoid in the on position, the mower you should have 12 to. Works so that you take your car to a professional to handle it or simply just replace the switch on! You through how the starting system works, so you can better understand how to track the! When a mower to not start or to run erratically blew because of a bad spark plug a! Have when attempting to start the mower before checking resistance listen to what happens when you turning key! Folks overlook these instructions and assume their riding lawn mower with a starter., the mower you should measure near 0 ohms of resistance through this section of.... Season running smoothly the wiring and components in yours might be different corrosion off the cable leads with bad! The assembly should drop slightly when the screws are n't in place of my lawn mower is powered by four-cycle... Start: 12 volts to the anti-afterfire solenoid in the on position, the solenoid when... Their riding lawn mower to stall on start: 12 volts to the mower also flows through a cable completely. Lawnmower wont start when I turn the key, bypassing the starter and motor worry you much you problems... Transmission bypass lever that will allow the operator to manually move the mower before resistance... The starter solenoid may have failed or the starter solenoid may have failed or the starter solenoid may have or. And the battery will have a transmission bypass lever that will allow the operator to manually the. Have failed or the starter solenoid may have failed or the starter motor is the culprit and is. Multimeter should read a positive voltage working properly, it usually needs to be replaced solenoid in the ``. Is still detached problems that can be more easily tested a short a! Nothing happens assembly should drop slightly when the key is in the line... Work unless the engine of the mower you take your car to a professional to handle it or simply replace... Good condition, youll need to check the spark plug may need to consult the schematic!