QuestionI bought my 13.5hp Murray riding mower 2 weeks ago. First weekend, it works fine over 4 hours of stop/start "family taking turns" mowing sessions. Yesterday - 1 week later-, I take her out for a 30-minute mowing behind the house (in 90-degree heat, same as last week), and come back for a kid change. 10-minutes later, she won't start. All I get is a single, semi-loud 'click' (sounds like a hammer hitting hollow metal) which is sometimes followed by a 3-second wheezing sound. The oil level is normal; battery cable & connections are still clean. My neighbor told me that the solenoids are notoriously terrible on Murray mowers. I don't know enough to guess but my guts tell me I have a bad solenoid or vapor lock. Tried again to start her today (24 hours later), but get the same 'hammer' noise. Any ideas?
AnswerI haven't found too many solenoid that fail lately...but we always stock them.
Anyhow, if the solenoid clicks it normally idicates it is working correctly. Most clicking with no starting is usually a low battery or dirty terminals. Since it is new, I doubt the terminals are dirty, but I would remove them and clean with a wire brush. I have repaired many starting problem doing this.
To recap, I'd suspect the battery or dirty terminals.
Did you have to fill the battery with acid and properly charge it before starting the mower for the first time?
Murray used to have strict instructions on doing this.
Let me know.
Eric
