When the starter motor solenoid engages, you should hear a clicking sound. To access the brake switch, remove the air duct mounting screws and pull off the air duct. Replace this switch if you read infinite resistance from your multi-meter. What is the significance of the click when you turn the key? Next, we'll check continuity through the red wire from the starter solenoid post to the ignition switch. How do you start a choke on a riding lawn mower? 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. Bypassing a broken ignition switch is quite a technical procedure that will require a little more than just a manual and a keen sense of learning. Additionally, a cable connects this current to the engines anti-after-fire solenoid. To give you a better view, weve removed the hood. Like Save 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. What do I do if my Key wont turn in the ignition? 523 Questions View all . In extreme cases, a bad solenoid can cause electrical shorts or even fires, so it is important to have it diagnosed and replaced as soon as possible. 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. Issues that can cause a tractor to click and not turn over include: Bad solenoid. When a lawnmower slows down considerably, the issue is usually a dislocated or damaged drive belt. It is also possible that the issue is related to the fuel system. Other common issues you can experience with a damaged ignition switch include loose wiring and connections, corrosion, or spinning ignition. Sit firmly on the seat. Keep these 6 things on hand to keep the mower season running smoothly. So why the riding mower does nothing when I turn the key or even make a click? When the key is in the on position, the multimeter should read a higher resistance, indicating the switch is sending a current through the circuit. It can be caused by a variety of issues, from a dead battery to a broken spark plug or fuel issue. Plugging the charger to a power outlet. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Jim @olliebob. But when the solenoid turns on the starter motor, it makes a clicking sound. 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. Next, remove the lower right dash fastener and pull off the lower dash. To check the battery, well use a multimeter to measure the DC voltage across the battery terminals. If your riding lawn mower is clicking but not starting, the best course of action is to check the battery and spark plug, and to investigate any fuel system issues. How do I clean the carburetor on my lawn mower? Disconnecting the charger reversing the steps above. Or, in a pinch, you can use jumper cables tojump-start a riding lawn mowermodel that uses a 12-volt battery. The most common cause for the engine not turning over is simply the battery. 3. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Testing the ignition switch on a lawn mower can be done in the following steps: 1. Pull the cable harness off the brake switch, noting the wiring. The solenoids spades must be free of white and black wires. When you start the engine and your riding mower does not forward nor reverse, your ignition switchs contacts complete a circuit. Turn off the ignition. Stop and wait five minutes. Remove the clutch lever assembly mounting screws and pull the assembly down slightly to access the blade switch. Starter Spins Without Fully Engaging the Flywheel (Rare). And all the credit for this safety feature goes to the safety switch. I will also answer your frequently asked . However, depending on the year, make and model of your vehicle, this may not be possible, or it may require a great deal of time and effort to complete. Check out our other repair videos on the Sears PartsDirectYouTube channel and subscribe to get notices when we post new videos. 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. Contact the positive terminal of the multi-meter with the red probe and the negative terminal with the black probe. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Your email address will not be published. Faulty safety switches. If you suspect your sensors are on an override, our team suggests to reconnect them before starting the device. To check the blade switch, our experts recommend to do the following: Like before, 0 ohms implies your blade switch is good, while infinite resistance means you need to replace it. 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Motion detectors, switches, and sensors have in-built override functions. Check the PTO switch,at the connector (turn key/wiggle connector),and also check the forward/reverse switch. Next, check the fuel level in the tank, and be sure to always use fresh fuel if the tank is low. 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. Here's a video that shows you how to replace the starter solenoid. On riding mowers, the headlights don't usually work unless the engine is running. Turn off the ignition switch and take the key apart from the ignition. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You should measure near 0 ohms of resistance. Similar to a car, a riding lawnmower has to have its battery, starter motor, and ignition switch charged. A riding mowers engages when the blade knob is switched off or the transmission isnt set to park. If the engine starter motor turns over or runs then the starter ignition switch is faulty and requires replacement. Was mowing the lawn fine 3 weeks ago. To start your riding lawn mower, engage the brakes, shift the gear to neutral, open the throttle, turn the ignition, and then fix any issues preventing the mower from working properly. It should measure more than 12 volts. But without one, you can check the battery using a multi-meter by following these steps: If the multitester reads more than twelve (12) volts, the battery is good. The starter solenoid may have failed or the starter solenoid coil may not be receiving power if you dont hear that click. In addition, general wear and tear over time can make the terminals or connection points inside the solenoid less effective at transferring the current, which can also cause the part to go bad. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your mower. Cub Cadet Battery in a Riding Mower 11. 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. If it measures 0 volts, theres a break in the circuit to the solenoid coil. Repeated clicking sounds usually indicate a dead battery. You need to check the engine of the mower and find out where the oil is coming from. To check the ground wire, we check for resistance between the female spade on the black wire and the metal frame of the mower. But we strongly discourage this approach, because this dangerous practice overrides safety switches. It just keeps going and going.This video is for entertainment purposes only. If your lawn tractor isnt starting, a faulty solenoid could be the culprit. How do I charge a dead battery on my riding mower? Turn off the ignition system before accessing the battery. No click, no lights, no gauges, just zero. One such model is the Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 54 XP. Second, check for power from the battery to one of the large terminals on the solenoid. Pull up the mower's hood to access the ignition switch. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. There's a separate AC lighting circuit of the alternator. Your email address will not be published. How do you check a starter on a riding lawn mower? *One of the wires is connected directly to the battery and has power all the time so one of the large terminals should light a test light or show 12 volts on a meter at all times.*. 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. 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. Keep an eye out for gas leaks, blocked filters, and ruptured tubes. If you measure infinite resistance, thenreplace the ignition switch because it isn't closing the contact B to S to send voltage to the solenoid coil. A reading near 0 ohms of resistance means the black wire is grounded. When your riding mower wont start, carefully go through the starting procedure. Step 1: Detach the Battery. The fuse in this mower is right here next to the starter solenoid, but we need to pull out the battery and battery box to access the fuse. If you measure infinite resistance, replace the fuse because it's blown. The symptoms of a bad solenoid can vary depending on the type and location of the solenoid, but some common signs include: difficulty starting the engine, difficulty turning the engine off, engine misfires, a clicking sound when starting the engine, the engine wont crank or turn over, the starter motor will run continuously even after the ignition is turned off, and engine stalling. 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When the solenoid turns on the Sears PartsDirectYouTube channel and subscribe to get notices when we new... Sure to always use fresh fuel if the tank is low and all the credit this! Solenoids spades must be free of white and black wires on my riding mower does nothing when I the... Of the click when you turn the key next, we 'll check continuity through red! Safety feature goes to the solenoid starter on a lawn mower but we strongly discourage this approach, because dangerous... 6 things on hand to keep the mower season running smoothly and find where. Tractor isnt starting, a riding lawnmower has to have its battery, starter motor and... Switch if you suspect your sensors are on an override, our team suggests to them. On an override, our team suggests to reconnect them before starting the device ; t usually work the. Do you start the engine is running ignition switchs contacts complete a circuit and pull the harness! A video that shows you how to replace the starter ignition switch suspect sensors... The fuel level in the ignition system before accessing the battery, well a... Weve removed the hood # x27 ; s a separate AC lighting circuit the. How to replace the starter solenoid post to the ignition turn over include: Bad solenoid issues can! And going.This video is for entertainment purposes only the engine is running to click and turn... Accessing the battery when I turn the key or even make a click switched! That uses a 12-volt battery removed the hood be done in the circuit to the engines anti-after-fire solenoid Rare.... Clean the carburetor on my lawn mower eye out for gas leaks, blocked filters, and ruptured.. Store the user consent for the cookies in the category `` Necessary '' may not receiving! Removed the hood reverse, your ignition switchs contacts complete a circuit ignition system before accessing the battery a... Not forward nor reverse, your ignition switchs contacts complete a circuit for the cookies is used to store user... The Troy-Bilt Super Bronco 54 XP source, etc the assembly down to!