QuestionQUESTION: Hi,i have a viking ride on mower with 15 1/2 hp vanguard briggs and stratton motor. numbers on the motor are 280777 and 013601. it has poor cranking when trying to start it. i have to jump start it when cold.headlights dont work.New batteries dont help. Do you think it is a problem with magnetron or wiring from it or something else.
Thank you
sean
ANSWER: The Magnetron ignition should not impact the charging/starting system.
How old is the mower? Do you have a multimeter to measure DC voltage? Do you know if your engine configuration has a voltage regulator?
Have you ever dis-connected the battery cables and cleaned the battery cable ends and battery terminal with a wirebrush? I have fixed a lot of problems like yours just by cleaning the connection terminals.
Let me know.
Eric
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Eric and thank you for your reply.No problems with battery cable ends or terminals.Mower is about 15 or 20 years old but motor may be newer.dont know if it has voltage regulator
.I have a small tester with a light in it, but my multimeter is flat at moment. please let me know anyway if any tests i should try or any other ideas you may have.
Thank you,
Sean
AnswerBeing the mower is that old it is possible the cables are bad. I have only had bad cables once but it had me stumped. The best method to test for bad cables is to measure the voltage drop across the cable.
Below are a few links I found using Google and searching for "Measuring Voltage Drop".
http://www.sandyblogs.com/techconnect/2009/07/measuring-voltage-drop.html
http://www.engine-light-help.com/voltage-drop.html
This link will help you determine if you have a regualtor and if the wiring is correct:
http://www4.briggsandstratton.com/miscpdfs/RNT/alternator_replacement.pdf
I will say that measuring the voltage drop can save you hours of troubleshooting and is much cheaper than just guessing or replacing the battery cables...those things can get expensive.
Let me know if the links help.
Eric
