Symptom: My ca 10 yr old riding mower (Craftsman w B&S engine) turns over (barely) once or twice and stops before anything major happens (no firing, etc.) - it feels as if the compression is "stronger" than the starter.
Had this problem before (6 months ago), so I exchanged the solenoid, starter and battery (not all at once), played with lubrication (external) and starter fluid. Eventually I got the engine to start and run. I undid all changes except the battery - so old solenoid, old starter, new battery (4/12) and used the mower over the summer. I had the problem (or a temporary version of it) on occasion, but always managed to start eventually. I kept the battery on a trickle charger in between uses and the mower in a closed in shed.
For a few weeks now, the problem has reoccurred and I cannot get it to work anymore. Here is what I checked:
- Battery fully charged (per charger, as well as measured)
- Ground connections (solenoid & battery) are good (took all off, cleaned, reattached and measured)
- Removed air filter to remove intake resistance
- Removed plug:
. o starter spins engine freely (and gas-air-mix puffs out nicely as well)
. o Checked spark (have spark)
. o Removed valve cover: everything looks straight & clean, clicking away
. o Battery during cranking (with plug out) measures only 10.8V
FYI, the old battery measured okay, so did the first replacement in spring, but neither worked. This is the 2nd new one (returned the first and got a new one in April after only a week) and this one somehow worked (still not convinced it was merely the battery, though).
So with the voltage during crank, I hear you saying, " get a new battery " but given that I did this twice and this one is only 6 months old (and I kept charged throughout the year), I wonder if something else is wrong
I also set the charger to crank assist but to no avail (does not turn better/at all at that point). (and I am scared I fry my starter or charger this way, so I only did this very briefly)
And, I tried jumping the mower with my car but despite constant 13V (+) in the system, the symptoms remain: One turn and the starter seems too weak to go any further.
Could the starter have been my problem all along and it just miraculously recovered over the summer?
I could use some advice here before I replace the starter again (kind of a hassle), plus it's the last thing I can think off ... am I overlooking something completely?
thanks a bunch
Had this problem before (6 months ago), so I exchanged the solenoid, starter and battery (not all at once), played with lubrication (external) and starter fluid. Eventually I got the engine to start and run. I undid all changes except the battery - so old solenoid, old starter, new battery (4/12) and used the mower over the summer. I had the problem (or a temporary version of it) on occasion, but always managed to start eventually. I kept the battery on a trickle charger in between uses and the mower in a closed in shed.
For a few weeks now, the problem has reoccurred and I cannot get it to work anymore. Here is what I checked:
- Battery fully charged (per charger, as well as measured)
- Ground connections (solenoid & battery) are good (took all off, cleaned, reattached and measured)
- Removed air filter to remove intake resistance
- Removed plug:
. o starter spins engine freely (and gas-air-mix puffs out nicely as well)
. o Checked spark (have spark)
. o Removed valve cover: everything looks straight & clean, clicking away
. o Battery during cranking (with plug out) measures only 10.8V
FYI, the old battery measured okay, so did the first replacement in spring, but neither worked. This is the 2nd new one (returned the first and got a new one in April after only a week) and this one somehow worked (still not convinced it was merely the battery, though).
So with the voltage during crank, I hear you saying, " get a new battery " but given that I did this twice and this one is only 6 months old (and I kept charged throughout the year), I wonder if something else is wrong
I also set the charger to crank assist but to no avail (does not turn better/at all at that point). (and I am scared I fry my starter or charger this way, so I only did this very briefly)
And, I tried jumping the mower with my car but despite constant 13V (+) in the system, the symptoms remain: One turn and the starter seems too weak to go any further.
Could the starter have been my problem all along and it just miraculously recovered over the summer?
I could use some advice here before I replace the starter again (kind of a hassle), plus it's the last thing I can think off ... am I overlooking something completely?
thanks a bunch