QuestionI will check. I assumed that red was positive and black was negative. But based on what is happening it would make sense that the starter is spinning backwards because if it is spinning the right direction it has no choice but to pop up right? If that isnt it, do you have any other theories? Would the fact that the starter is not popping up be in indication of a bad starter?
Also, as i said, the mower has been sitting for 2 years. Is there anything else you'd suggest i do besides changing the battery, spark plug, and oil and cleaning the air filter?
Thanks!
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The text above is a follow-up to ...
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Eric,
I have a mid-90's model Snapper rider lawnmower with the 8 hp briggs/stratton engine. The lawnmower has been sitting for around 2 years. I replaced the battery, spark plug, and oil. When i turn the key to start it, the starter gear just spins. It does not pop up to try to engage the flywheel. The spring looks fine. I have even tried manually spinning the gear into the teeth of the flywheel and then turning the key and it immediately pops down off of the flywheel and starts spinning? What do you think is wrong? This happened one other time with this same lawnmower but that particular time the starter gear had been striped. This time the gear looks to be in fairly good shape as there are no teeth missing. Thanks for your help!
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Is the battery connected correctly? If the cables are reversed the starter will spin backwards and the gear will not engage the flywheel.
Let me know.
Eric
AnswerThe carb may need to be rebuilt if it sat. It is possible but very, very rare that the electrical system has reversed polarity. I have only seen this happen on very, very old early 1930's Ferguson 6 volt systems.
Do you have a volt meter? Last year we did have two battery reverse polarity...defective batteries.
Let me know about the volt meter.
Eric
