QuestionI have a Craftsman ride on lawnmower and am having problems with the starter; it won't turn the motor. I have taken the starter out, connected it to the battery and it spins but when I re-attach it to the mower it doesn't seem to have enough power to crank the motor (it doesn't pop up consistently either).
Model No. C944.603340
Engine Model Number CV14S, TPYE 1452
What are my options?
AnswerHi Doug,
I suspect dirty or corroded connections. Disconnect all and clean with a small wire brush, then coat with Vaseline. Also the starter worm gear may be dirty. Spray that with a non-dirt-attracting-lube, like teflon or graphite. If still no change, follow my No Cranking proceedure below and use what applies.
Let me know how you make out.
Michael
I would check the starter first. Jump the positive battery terminal to the
starter and it should crank over. If so, skip to step 2.
If not, jump from a battery that you know is good, from a car. If still
nothing, the starter is bad. If good, then the mower battery is weak.
Step 2.
If the starter and battery are good, you will need to trace the entire circuit
from the starter to the battery. The solenoid, switches the battery power to
the starter, when power from the key switch is sent to the small terminal on the
solenoid. To test the solenoid, first make sure that you have power at its large
terminal which comes from the battery. Then jump power from that terminal or the
battery positive post, to its small terminal. You should hear a click and the
other large terminal that feeds the starter should be energized. If not, then
the solenoid is bad. If good, then continue tracing the power through the key
switch to the battery until you find the break in the power path. All testing
can be done with a 12 volt light or a voltmeter. Most equipment has safety
switches in the seat and on the blade engagement lever. Check them by
temporarily bypassing with a small jumper wire.
