QuestionQUESTION: Last weekend I was mowing the yard when the mower suddenly quit. Pretty loud racket and some shaking. Since then I have been unable to start it. I went ahead and replaced the spark plug and checked for a spark by laying the it on the motor and turning the key. There was no spark. I've been told that it's likely a problem with the coil and judging by what I've been able to find on the internet, I feel that well too. Unfortunately, I can't say for sure and I also don't know how to get to it. I assume the engine cover comes off, but do you have any idea where/how I would get to it? I did notice that the air filter was pretty dirty, so I'm going to replace it and the fuel filter as well. This might be a silly question, but is the armature and the coil the same part?
Murray 309029x92NA
Engine - 28R707-1120-E1
Coil Part# - 492341
Also, the mower has been having trouble going up any incline in anything more than 1st gear. It'll just sit there and won't move. I'm assuming this means there's a problem with the transaxle, but I'm not sure what to check? Of course if it needs to be replaced, I may just call it quits and see about finding a replacement. Thanks in advance.
ANSWER: Kenneth
Use your Jumper Cable Set and Attach the Positive Lead Onto the Positive Post of the Battery (make sure the Battery is Fully Charged or is a New Battery). Now Firmly Touch the Large Post on the Starter. If the Starter Does Not Turn, then the Starter is Bad. If the Starter Turns the Engine Properly, Then Check the Solenoid. Firmly Touch the Small Post at the Base of the Solenoid that has the Ign Wire Attached to it. If The Starter Does Not Turn and the Solenoid Clicks, Then the Solenoid is Bad. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING THE SAFETY SWITCHES IS JUST THAT!!! FOR CHECKING ONLY. I NEVER Suggest a Mower be Operated with a Safety Device or Switch Disconnected or Bypassed. Now. On Some Model Mowers you can Simply Unplug the Safety Switch from the Harness. On Other Models you have to Place a Jumper Wire Between the Harness Terminals (on the 4 Post Switch Jumper from Same Color Wire to Same Color Wire). Check the Clutch/Break and the Blade/PTO Safety Switches First. Check the Seat Safety Last. Usually the Seat Safety is Not in the System for Starting the Engine. Just to Ensure Someone is in the Seat when Engaging the Transaxle and/or Blades. Hope this Helps the coil is under the cover of the mower,it is attached to the engine next to the flywheel.Check the belts on the drive of the mower they could be stretched out,if they are ok check the fluid of the trans axle if you add fluid then yo may have to purge the trans axle by going back and forth for about a minute.
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QUESTION: Hi Ben,
Thanks for the info. I apologize for the delay, I didn't get a notification that you had answered. Anyway, I went ahead and ordered the coil which didn't really help. I tried testing the starter but I'm unsure about the results. When I remove the engine cover the start is attached to the side of the engine. At the top of the starter is what looks like a gear, which seems standard. Then at the bottom on the side there's a small post with the wire as you said. I touched the jumper cable and the starter worked as it should. I wasn't sure about the other post though, the large one you mentioned. I tried touching the bottom of the starter (only thing that resembled a large post to me) and there was nothing. I tried unplugging the safety switches and each of them, with the exception of the seat switch, kept the mower from cranking over. Would that indicate a problem? I don't have a jumper to test so I wasn't able to do that. The mower cranks only when I push the clutch/brake. If I engage the blade, nothing. If I don't push the brake, nothing. If I push the brake and attempt to start the mower with the seat up, it cranks. Also, after replacing the coil I get a spark from the plug when I remove the kill wire (I admit that I didn't try this before replacing the coil). I don't see a spark with the kill wire attached though. Do you know what that would mean? Is it a ground problem?
Sorry, but I'm not sure what more to do yet, meanwhile my grass continues to grow. Anyway, I appreciate the help and look forward to your response.
AnswerKen
When you test the starter from the 1 post goes to the solenoid the other post on the solenoid goes to the battery. Then on the solenoid there are some smaller wires that go to the key switch.If the seat switch is not making or breaking the circuit that could cause the engine from non starting as some mowers are use that as the connection to the coil. You said you unplugged the safety switches this is when you need a jumper a paper clip will work just open the paper clip and insert 1 end in the switch socket the other in the other socket. On the ignition coil there are wire that are used to kill the engine by removing the coil the ability to produce a spark,If the coil gets grounded you will not have any spark the engine may crank but no spark still. When you unground the coil this allows spark.If you have spark,fuel,air then this combo will allow the engine to start,Take away one of these the engine wont run. So if you have bad fuel or no fuel going to the carb then it may need to be rebuilt.As far as air if you have a bad air cleaner or none at all you will choke the engine of proper air flow.If you have no spark then it is a electrical problem.To help you better get a pad to write down what you find like ""I have spark all the time or I have no spark when the brake is on ""This will help you from doing the same test over again. Good Luck. Let me know the results at gb@gbelect.net as this site will only let you repost 2 times.
