QuestionI have an older Snapper lawn mower (1980's) with a B&S 12.5 HP V-Twin engine. The engine is not original on the mower and it appears the previous owner re-wired about everything. I installed a new battery and found three problems.
1) The starter spins but the starter gear does not engage the flywheel gear. The pinion spring on the starter looks fine.
2) About a minute after putting in new battery, a wire started smoking (I quickly disconnected the neg battery cable).
3) None of the safety mechanisms appear to work. I can turn the key (and spin the starter) with the blades engaged, the clutch not depressed, and not sitting on the seat. It makes no difference if I am seated with the clutch engaged and blades off.
My main question is about the starter not engaging the flywheel, the other problems are just background info - in case it helps understand the starter problem. Insight into the smoking wire would also be appreciatd!
AnswerI recommend getting a bendix kit for the starter. Make sure everything is clean and dry when re-assembling as lubrication only gums up the mechanism and causes a problem like this. The spring is only there to provide enough tension to ensure the starter gear climbs the bendix shaft but if the shaft is worn or dirty, it will not engage. Although your other information is only background, you may want to correct these things so nobody hurts themself (including you). Hope this helps.
