Here are some possible reasons why your lawn mower won’t start:
- The fuel is under the proper level: Look at the fuel tank and check it.
- The carburetor is clogged: There is some debris in the fuel. ...
- The grass is so tall that the blades can’t work: The grass clogs up the mower, so the engine stops. ...
- The spark plug may be in bad condition. ...
- The filter is clogged. ...
How to troubleshoot your mower not starting?
- Pull up the mower's hood to access the ignition switch.
- Remove its cable harness.
- Remove the tabs to pull the ignition switch out of its slot.
- Turn the key to the start position and set the multi-meter to measure resistance, not voltage.
- Connect the black multi-meter probe to the B prong and the other to the S prong. ...
Why is my Craftsman lawn mower not starting?
There are several other possibilities, including:
- Dirty battery connections
- Loose battery connections
- Solenoid fault
- Binding starter motor
- Excessive valve lash
- Hydro-locked engine
- Faulty ignition switch
- Faulty starter
- Engine seizure
Why is lawn mower hard to start?
Lawn Mower Hard To Start When Cold – Why?
- The Main Reason Why Lawn Mowers Can Be Hard to Start When It’s Cold. ...
- Check Your Oil Level and Quality Before You Try to Start Your Mower. ...
- The Type of Oil You Use Matters: Some Function Better in Colder Weather. ...
- Other Things to Check If Your Mower is Hard to Start in Cold Weather. ...
- Summary: A Process of Elimination. ...
How do you start a lawn mower?
Repeat the pulling process until the lawnmower starts.
- The first thing that you have to do is to ensure that your lawnmower is equipped enough with gas and oil.
- Once everything is set, locate the starter cord that’s attached to the lawnmower. This can often be found at the back.
- To start it, grab the cord handle and pull it in a quick upward motion. Repeat the pulling process until the lawnmower starts.
Why won't my lawn mower start?
An obvious—and often overlooked—reason your mower may not be starting is if the gas tank is empty, or contains gas that is either old or contaminated with excess moisture and dirt. If your gas is more than a month old, use an oil siphon pump to drain it from the tank.
Why is my lawn mower starting stuck?
If the starter rope seems stuck or is difficult to pull, then it’s probably due to a clogged deck. With the mower safely turned off, tip it over onto its side and examine the underbelly. If there are large clumps of cut grass caught between the blade and deck, use a trowel to scrape these clippings free. When the deck is clean again, set the mower back on its feet and start her up.
Why is my lawn mower stubborn?
Is your lawn mower still being stubborn? The culprit may be the spark plug, which, as the name indicates, is responsible for creating the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine. If it’s loosened, disconnected, or coated in water or carbon residue, the spark plug may be the cause of your machine’s malfunction.
Why do I need a deck on my lawn mower?
The mower’s deck prevents grass clippings from showering into the air like confetti, but it also creates a place for them to collect. Grass clippings can clog the mower deck, especially while mowing a wet lawn, preventing the blade from turning.
How to fix a spark plug that is not tight?
If you see buildup, spray brake cleaner onto the plug, and let it soak for several minutes before wiping it with a clean cloth. Reinstall the spark plug, first by hand, and then with a socket wrench for a final tightening. If the problem persists, consider replacing the spark plug.
Where is the spark plug on a lawn mower?
Locate the spark plug, often found on the front of the mower. If it is connected, remove the plug wire beneath the plug cap and unscrew the plug with a socket wrench to reveal the electrode and insulator.
Can a broken lawn mower be used to mow?
Assuming that one of these five fixes helped your mower run, a broken lawn mower is no longer an excuse to not mow. Go back out there and get your grass in shape for summer!
How many pulls does a lawn mower need to start?
Your mower should start within three pulls of the starter rope (unless equipped with a Quick Start engine). Follow step-by-step instruction to determine why your mower won't start: checking fuel levels, spark plug, carburetor and compression. Follow along this DIY video to troubleshoot and learn when it's best to service your mower.
What does it mean when a car has a wet spark plug?
Second step, check the spark plug. A wet plug means there’s fuel going through the fuel system and there may be an issue with the ignition. A dry plug means there may be an issue with the fuel system. A common issue is a clogged carburetor from stale gas.
Why does my mower not start?
If the air filter is dirty, it may not let air to the carburetor. Also, if the air filter is torn, debris could have flown into the carburetor or engine and is preventing your mower from starting.
What to do if your starter solenoid is clicking?
If you notice this clicking, your best bet is to install a new starter solenoid.
Why won't my riding mower start?
When your gas cap doesn’t vent, your riding mower won’t start because of the lack of fuel to the engine. To troubleshoot this problem, remove your gas cap, start your mower and let it run. Be careful to not let any contaminants enter the fuel system with the cap off.
Why does my lawn mower start and run fine?
If your mower seems to start and run fine, replace the gas cap and continue to let the mower run for a while. If it starts to bog down and shut off, the fuel cap could be the cause of your starting problem.
How to tell if a lawn mower solenoid is bad?
Another indication your riding mower solenoid may be bad is when a wire attached to your solenoid gets hot and begins to smoke or melt.
How to check a riding lawn mower battery?
Test your battery with a multimeter. You will want a reading at about 12.7 volts. Place on a charger to charge your battery if your reading is less than this. Read more about the steps and items needed to charge your battery here. If your riding lawn mower battery does not hold a charge, you will need to replace it with a new battery.
What is a safety switch on a riding lawn mower?
You will have a safety switch that disengages the mower deck when it does not sense the operator is in the seat.
How many spark plugs does a riding mower use?
Your riding lawn mower may use one or two spark plugs. When your spark plugs have a loose connection or they are not properly gapped, you can have a starting problem. You will also need to check your spark plugs for damage or carbon build up on the tips that can cause your plugs to foul out.
How to know what gas to use for riding mower?
To make sure you’re choosing the right fuel, read the decal on your fuel pump. It will list the octane rating and the ethanol content percentage. For more information on the type of gas you need to use in your riding mower and why it’s important to select high quality fuel, check out my article, “ This is the Type of Gas Lawn Mowers Use ”.
Why won't my lawn mower start?
How Can I Tell Why My Lawn Mower Won’t Start? If your lawn mower won’t start without starter fluid, your first step is to diagnose the problem. Your mower could have a dirty air filter, bad spark plug, a dirty carburetor, or it could just need fresh fuel.
How Can I Tell Why My Lawn Mower Won’t Start?
Your mower could have a dirty air filter, bad spark plug, a dirty carburetor, or it could just need fresh fuel.
How Often Is It Normal To Use Starter Fluid for Your Lawn Mower?
Using starter fluid once in a while to jump start a stubborn engine is okay. Occasional use is typical if it’s late in the fall season, or you haven’t used your mower in a while.
When Is It Time for a New Lawn Mower?
However, sometimes the problem with your mower can be beyond fixing. Or , if it is fixable, it may not be worth the cost to make the repairs.
What to do if your mower is cold?
If you haven’t used your mower in a while, or the engine is cold, starter fluid can help get your mower started.
What happens if you spray carburetor with starter fluid?
The worst-case scenario is that your mower could be going bust. If every time you use your mower you’re spraying the carburetor with starter fluid, something is wrong. Starter fluid is not part of a regular mowing routine.
How to clean a wet spark plug?
Check the spark plug to see if it is wet. If it is moist, clean the plug with carburetor cleaner to get rid of oily residue.
Why won't my electric lawn mower start?
Your electric mower may not start due to the key not being fully engaged, the plug connections are loose, safety handles are not engaged, or an insufficient power source. Your lawn mower being filled with debris, debris restricting the blade rotation, damaged components and clogged vents can also cause your lawn mower to not start.
Why is my lawn mower not turning on?
If your lawn mower isn’t turning on and you realize you haven’t emptied it in a while, it’s probably the cause of the issue.
How to tell if lawn mower battery is bad?
You can tell your battery is going bad when you fully charge the battery and it is not holding a charge as long as it once did. Losing the ability to hold a charge is a sign the battery is dying. Another sign your battery is going bad is when it becomes very hot.
What is the purpose of a lawn mower?
The primary purpose of a lawn mower is to cut grass and lots of it . While your mower may cut well, it can take a toll on the lawn mower as it collects excess amounts of cut grass, twigs, leaves, and other trimmings in its cutting bag.
What to do when your mower key isn't inserted?
When your lawn mower key isn’t fully inserted into the mower you will find it difficult to turn the key or it might feel as if it gets stuck at some point in the turning process. In the event this occurs, all you need to do is push the key in further or remove it and then reinsert the key fully before you turn the key.
Where to check for trimmings on electric lawn mower?
Whether you have a riding or push electric lawn mower, you’ll want to check underneath the deck near the blades to ensure there aren’t any trimmings built up that need to be cleared.
Can a lawn mower be clogged with trimmings?
Not all lawn mowers are equipped with a cutting bag, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be clogged with trimmings preventing it from turning on. It is not uncommon for excess grass and other debris to get lodged or stuck within your lawn mower’s deck.
Why won't my gas mower start?
So, what's the problem with a gas lawn mower that won't start? The two most likely reasons a gas mower won't start, are a dirty carburetor and bad gas. Other possible reasons include: Fuel valve off. Choke not on. Plug wet / faulty. Plug wire off.
What to do if your mower is not starting?
1 Oil Check – Some mowers are designed not to start if the oil level is low, check and top up if needed.
What does it mean when a mower attempted to start or started?
1 Mower attempted to start or started – tells us we have a fueling fault, most likely a dirty carburetor, but first, we will need to eliminate a choke system fault. Check out “Testing the choke system”below.
How to start a cold engine with a manual choke?
If you have a manual choke control, move throttle lever to full choke position to start a cold engine. Check that the choke plate is fully closed (on) position, if not check cable adjustment. Your mower may have auto choke. If so, when cold, the choke plate should be closed, as per picture.
Why won't my lawn mower start on the 3rd attempt?
If your mower doesn’t start on the 3 rd attempt it’s very likely that the plug is now saturated in fuel – condition known as flooded. The fix is to remove and dry the plug or leave the mower for 30 minutes to dry out, and then try again, this time without choke.
How reliable is a lawn mower engine?
The lawn mower engine is a wonderfully simple motor, they are very reliable and major mechanical failures are rare. To run, it needs three things, fuel/air mix, good spark and compression. Technically it needs a bit more than that, but you get the idea.
What is the difference between a cold engine and a hot engine?
A cold engine needs more fuel than a hot engine, so the choke creates a richer air fuel ratio. I wrote this easy to follow guide, it covers all the steps and walks you through the process – “How to start a lawn mower”. Some mowers do this by way of a choke plate or primer bulb.
