QuestionQUESTION: Hi, John, I wrote you on Saturday with the following question and you helped me solve that problem.
"Hi, I have a Yard Machines tractor with a Briggs and Stratton I/C Quiet 14.5 HP OHV Engine. (model #287707)
I cut my grass for the first time and during that cut, the mower just shut off. I could not get it to kick back on. I replaced the fuel filter and air filter, drained and replaced the gas, check the spark plug (which looks fine) and got the battery tested to make sure it was OK. Still can't get it working. I tried spraying some starter fluid into the carburator and it will start for about two seconds and then shut off as the starting fluid burns off. I assume the engine is not getting any gas but I don't know why. I did not replace the spark plug - could it be that simple? I am also wondering about the throttle wires being messed up - the choke works fine but when I took apart the carb, it seemed like the throttle lever was not moving the actual throttle all the way. Would that cause the problem I am having? I am not an engine expert so I hope these questions aren't too stupid. Thank you for your help."
I did get a new solenoid and it started up fine. I mowed today and stopped because I had to leave for a few hours and when I tried to start it up again, I had trouble. I finally got it started and then mowed a bit more, but it kept stalling out in the yard. I kept checking the connections to the new solenoid thinking they may be loose. I got the mower started a few more times but each time, it stalled out again. After not getting be able to get it started and not wanting to wear out the battery, I left it sit for about an hour and came back later. When I did, I got absolutely nothing - no cranking, no clicking, nothing. I tried jumping it and still nothing. I have no clue where to check now because the battery was tested a few days ago and it was fine, and the mower did start and work fine earlier in the day. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you very much.
ANSWER: Hi Again Ryan:
Are you Sure the Solenoid is Getting at Least 10.0 VDC? If you have Jumped the Mower with Vehicle and the Vehicles Engine was Running, then the Mowers Stator/Regulator may be Damaged and Not Charging the Battery. As you Use the Mower the Battery Current Slowly Drains and Eventually the Batteries Voltage is Less than 10.0 VDC and the Solenoid is Not Opened to Allow Gas Into the Carburetor Jet. If you had No Power at the Ign Switch (even when Jumped), then Check the Safety Switches. **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.** Send me the Model Numbers Off the Mower, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for your response John. Here is my tractor number.
I have a Yard Machines tractor with a Briggs and Stratton I/C Quiet 14.5 HP OHV Engine. (model #287707)
The mower still does nothing. I did charge my battery on the mower but never had my car started - I just ran it off the regular battery with the car not on. So I don't know if it would have damaged anything. Should I just try a new battery to start with? I didn't want to buy a new one because the one I have was checked last week and they said it was OK. Could it die out that quickly? I don't know where the starter/regulator is on the mower. I am also not sure about the safety switches. Could you tell me where to check those at? I will try to check those out. Hope this isn't confusing to you. I really do appreciate your help and will try any advice you can pass along. Thanks again.
ANSWER: Hi Ryan:
The Problem you Described is Usually Caused by the Clutch/Transaxle Safety or the Blade Safety Switch. I Require the Mower Model Numbers, Please. The Numbers you Sent me are the Engine Model Numbers. Generally the identification tag is on a part of the unit that, even after years of use, rarely needs replacement. For most of MTD (Yard Machines) power equipment, these tags are approximately 2" by 3" in size. They also have the MTD Products name, address and customer service phone number listed across the bottom. For hand held product, the tag is normally white and approximately 1" by 1/2" in size. Hand held i.d. tags are normally on an aluminum portion of the engine, somewhat set into the unit to protect the label from wear. (A bar code will also be on this tag.) Riding mower tags are located on the underside of the seat. For walk behind mowers this tag is found either on the deck or on the rear door of rear discharge units. Tiller model and serial tags are generally on the tine housing. **The model and serial tags for two-stage snow throwers are located on the bottom of the main gear housing which is often called the belly pan, while single stage snow thrower tags are next to the key and primer. For other products like log splitters, chipper shredders and edgers, tags can be found on the frame or main housing.** However, Check the Starter Solenoid and Starter. **(with the Spark Plug/s Removed) To Check the Solenoid and Starter, Once you are Sure the Battery is Fully Charged/New, then 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 and you can turn the Engine by Hand, 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.** Thanks.
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi, John, thanks again so much for all of your help so far. I am sorry I did not include the model number for the mower itself last time. Here they are:
Model # - 13AM675G062
Serial # - B121B80151
I found the various manuals for the yard machines tractor I have.
I know you mentioned the safety switches as a possible problem area – would you be able to direct me in terms of what I should do to check or fix these?
I tried hooking up the jumper cables to the positive end of the mower battery and then touched the other positive cable to the starter (or the big bolt on the outside that has a big red wire attached to it). This caused sparks and did cause the engine to move. That’s as far as I got. I assume that the starter is OK and the batter is fine because of this. You mentioned next checking the solenoid. Is that inside the starter? I already changed the carburetor solenoid last week – you aren’t talking about that one, right? You’re talking about the starter solenoid? Can the solenoid break that quickly? Any guidance in this area would be very much appreciated.
Again, thank you so much for your help. Hopefully I won't have to ask any more questions and I can get this mower working again.
AnswerHi Ryan:
**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/Brake 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.** You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Unit at this Site Addy, http://www.smallenginepartswarehouse.com/parts.asp and Select the Shop Online Parts Look Up. Then Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM (MTD) and Enter the Model Numbers (13AM675G062). Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. Now you can Select the Section of the Unit you Wish to View. The Location can Vary for Each Safety Switch. The Clutch Safety is Usually Located Inside the Frame Under the Gas Tank. The Easiest Way to Locate these Switches is to Follow the Linkage Until you See the Switch. The Deck Safety May be Located on the Cutter Deck or Under the Tank Also. This Unit also has a Reverse Safety. It is Located at the Shift Lever. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
