Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 14 hp Vanguard engine wont charge battery, bad hope, charge battery

Question
Dear John, my Grasshopper lawnmower has 14 hp Vanguard engine (Model 294447; type 1196-A1 4973; Code 97051911). It runs fine, except for that 2 weeks ago it would not start, but the starter turned over once and clicked.  I had batter tested. Lawn mower guy told me battery would not hold charge, and I bought a new battery and installed it. Everything was fine for past 2 weeks, until today when mower went dead during mowing. The starter will not click at all, but a light (warning that parking brake is set) would come on when I turned key to start position -- nothing else.  I am assuming that the battery is dead.  So, question is what is wrong. Starter works with a new battery. What needs to be fixed or repaired?

Please help.

MLB

Answer
 Hello Monte:

 The Stator (charger) or the Voltage Regulator May be Bad. The Wires from the Stator May be Broken. Go to this Addy http://shop.briggsandstratton.com/BShopProductListingPage.asp?rsvp=0&PARENTID=0&... and Enter the Model Number 294447 and Type Number 1196. On the Next Page Scroll Down to the 2nd Listing and Click on View PDF. This will Download a Breakdown of the Engine for you to View Online. The Stator and Regulator are on Page 16 of 29. From the Diagram I see this Engine has a  Regulator. If you have a Voltmeter, Check the Current of the Battery with the Engine Running at Full Throttle. The Voltage Should Read 12.8VDC to 14.0VDC. If this is Not the Voltage Showing at the Battery, then Disconnect the Regulator and Check the Voltage from the Stator. It should be 15.0VDC or Higher. If the Voltage is Correct the Regulator is Bad. If the Voltage is Not Correct, then the Stator is Bad. Hope this Helps. Let me know what Happens, Please. I enjoy knowing the Outcome. Thanks.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John