What are some reasons why lawn mowers will not start?
Why Your Riding Mower Won’t Start
- Gas tank is empty
- Wrong or old gas in the tank
- Vent is plugged in your gas cap
- Broke or dirty spark plug
- Air filter is plugged
- Faulty fuel pump
- Plugged fuel filter
- Clogged fuel lines
- Carburetor is dirty or has broken components
- Bad battery or loose connections
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
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 does my lawn mower start and stop right away?
- Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl
- Old gasoline that has gone bad
- Dirty or defective spark plugs
- Too much oil in your resevoir
How do you start a lawn mower that won't start?
Change the lawn mower carburetor filter. ... Check the spark plug. ... Clear the mower deck of debris. ... Clear the vent in the lawn mower fuel cap. ... Clean and refill the lawn mower fuel tank. ... Add fuel stabilizer to the tank. ... Inspect the safety release mechanism cable. ... Check to see if the flywheel brake is fully engaged.More items...•
Why will my lawn mower turn over but not start?
The most common reason for a riding mower cranking over but not starting is bad gas, but other possible reasons include: Gas Valve Off. No Gas. Choke Fault.
How do I force my lawnmower to start?
If you run into problems getting your lawnmower ready for springOpens a new window, try the following:Use fresh gas. ... Check the spark plug. ... Use the choke. ... Prime the mower. ... Check the air filter. ... Check the cables. ... Check for water in the fuel tank.Clear the starter cord of blockages.More items...
How do you start a stubborn lawn mower?
1:032:38Rick's Tips; Hard to Start Lawnmower Tips! Noreen's Kitchen - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause you'll see it won't start out first of all anymore. In a second. But then I found out if IMoreBecause you'll see it won't start out first of all anymore. In a second. But then I found out if I take and tip it on this right side. Make.
How do I get my lawn mower to start after sitting?
0:385:22How To Start A Mower That's Been Sitting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're going to spray some carburetor cleaner up there and then we're going to reseat that cup 99MoreAnd we're going to spray some carburetor cleaner up there and then we're going to reseat that cup 99% of the time that's all you need to do to fix.
How do I know if my lawn mower spark plug is bad?
How to Tell If a Lawn Mower Spark Plug is Bad? (4 Signs)2.1 The Lawn Mower Will Not Start.2.2 The Mower Takes More, Harder Pulls of the Cord to Start.2.3 The Lawn Mower has a Rough Idle or is Lacking Power.2.4 You are Refueling the Mower More than Usual.
How do I clean the carburetor on my lawn mower?
2:095:13How to Clean the Carburetor on a Lawn Mower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to make sure that's clean and the way you can do that is just simply get a piece ofMoreSo you want to make sure that's clean and the way you can do that is just simply get a piece of small wire. And see you and you poke it in and out of that hole make sure that it's clean.
Can you flood a lawn mower?
Flooding a lawnmower is easy to do. Turning the machine over to clean the bottom of it or remove the blades while it contains gasoline is enough to do it. Priming it too many times by pushing the primer bulb can also cause flooding.
Why won't my lawnmower start after the winter?
There is buildup clogging your carburetor and/or there is stale fuel in the float bowl. Left over a period of time, gasoline will cause buildup to clog the carburetor or stale fuel will enter the float bowl. Solution: Drain the old fuel from the float bowl and thoroughly clean the carburetor with carburetor cleaner.
How long does it take for a lawn mower to Unflood?
about 15 minutesAn engine that's getting gas and not starting probably has a flooded carburetor or cylinder soaked with gasoline. Often your nose can make the diagnosis: Flooded engines reek of unburned fuel. Park the mower on level ground, and wait about 15 minutes for the gas to evaporate.
Will a bad spark plug cause a lawn mower not to start?
A dirty or fouled spark plug can cause your lawn mower to not start. It can also work itself loose, causing issues. If the spark plug appears to be seated correctly but the engine doesn't start, a new one may be in order. For a few dollars, this easy fix can get your small engine working again.
What happens if you leave gas in lawnmower over winter?
Leaving gas in your lawn mower over the winter can be very bad for your engine and tank. It can degrade and clog up your carburetor, as well as accelerate rusting within the tank, and can cause catastrophic engine failure if the fuel is not prepared.
What causes Briggs and Stratton engine to not start?
Disconnected, dirty or fouled spark plugs are common causes for engines that won't start. For small engines, spark plugs typically need to be replaced every season or after 25 hours of use. You should also check to make sure the spark plug gap is set correctly.
Why is my lawn mower not getting any spark?
If no spark appears, check for broken wires, shorts, grounds or a defective stop switch. Once you have confirmed that the stop switch is working, reconnect the spark plug lead.
Do you need to jump a solenoid on a lawn mower?
How to jump a solenoid on a lawnmower, step by stepStep 1: Turn the ignition switch on.Step 2: Locate the lawnmower solenoid.Step 3: Find the relevant terminals.Step 4: Clean the carbon and rust deposits from the terminal.Step 5: Jump the solenoid.
How do I clean the carburetor on my lawn mower?
2:095:13How to Clean the Carburetor on a Lawn Mower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to make sure that's clean and the way you can do that is just simply get a piece ofMoreSo you want to make sure that's clean and the way you can do that is just simply get a piece of small wire. And see you and you poke it in and out of that hole make sure that it's clean.
No Fuel in the Fuel Tank Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
Even though you know a lawn mower requires gas or diesel to start, I’m going to mention it anyway. Sometimes when you’re frustrated with your mower you skip over the simple things when diagnosing your problem.
Bad or Old Fuel Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
Gas can begin to break down and become less effective as soon as 30 days after you purchase the fuel. The sticky substance left behind by ethanol and moisture in the fuel can begin clogging your fuel system including the fuel lines, fuel filter and carburetor.
Bad Fuel Cap Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
Without a vent in the fuel cap, the tank will act like a vacuum and restrict fuel from flowing through the fuel lines. Old fuel can cause clogging in the vent so air will no longer pass through the cap.
Bad Spark Plug or Loose Connection Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
A spark plug may no longer work and cause intermittent starting and running issues with your lawn mower. A spark plug that is dirty from carbon buildup must be cleaned or replaced if the tip appears very dark in color.
Plugged Air Filter Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
A lawn mower requires clean air to run. The air filter prevents dirt and debris from entering the air intake and contaminating the engine. Dirt in the engine can cause significant engine damage. Never run your mower without an air filter even if it’s only for a short period of time while you source a new filter.
Plugged Fuel Filter Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
The fuel filter’s function is the strain the fuel coming out of the fuel tank to prevent dirt from entering the fuel system and engine. If your fuel filter is plugged and prevents fuel from passing through it, it must be replaced.
Blocked Fuel Line Will Cause a Lawn Mower Not to Start
A lawn mower fuel line can become clogged by dirt and the sticky substance left behind by old gasoline. This keeps fuel from getting to your carburetor and to your engine. Read more about identifying a clogged fuel line here.
Why is my lawnmower battery dead?
The possible issues in battery can be the low-level of battery fluid or battery being dead due to its lack of action for a long time.
Why does my lawnmower smoke?
The lawnmowers might exhaust some smoke when the engine oil level is considerably high in the engine. Similarly, the smoke might be resulting from the presence of oil in the exhaust muffler. If the smoke is colored, then consult a mechanic rather than applying home fixes.
Why do lawnmowers need air filters?
If the air filter is dirty or clogged, it limits the air supply to the combustion chamber of the engine, and therefore, the engine starts missing while functioning or may not even start.
How to tell if carburetor is rusty?
Yes, the rusty and corrosive carburetor can be detected by opening the carburetor and examining the inside of the carburetor. If there exists a white powdery situation on the inside, it means the carburetor has been rusted.
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 The Lawn Mower Won’t Start When Hot?
Apart from the failing coil, there are a lot of issues you need to check. From an overheating engine to the faulty carburetor, the mower may have a faulty plug and plug wire as well.
What happens if you don't tighten the bolts on your mower?
This will make the engine of your mower shut off as well. Let me explain how.
Why does my lawn mower have a cooling fin?
The lawnmower engine may look small but it generates a tremendous amount of heat when in operation. To dissipate such extreme heat, it has cooling fins. But the problem is when you mow the lawn the grass clippings and other debris may clog the fins. Since the clogged fins can’t dissipate enough heat, the engine gets overheated and stop.
Why does my car's engine stop?
Since the clogged fins can’t dissipate enough heat, the engine gets overheated and stop. The engine won’t restart until the engine cools. The plastic housing can also collect dirt that will eventually lead to the engine shut off.
How to tell if mower is compression poor?
If the mower’s starter rope seems to move easier than it used to be, it indicates the compression is poor along with too large valve clearance. The compression issue is very common for mowers from Briggs and Stratton.
What causes a car to pull air out of the engine?
Loose bolts cause air leaks which in turn make the engine pull in excess air from the outside. That way the tiny parts of the engine expand as the engine heats up gradually.
What happens if you plug a spark plug into a mower?
Spark plugs come in a lot of variety. They have multiple heat ranges and lengths. There will be issues like hot start failures if you plug the wrong one into your mower. So, double-check the correct plug code that is suitable for your mower.
