Engines have valves that open and close in sequence. To help you troubleshoot your Toro mower problems, I have put together a list of common problems along with causes and solutions to fix them. this makes a big difference in a complete start up for your mower. If your carburetor is too dirty to clean adequately, you should replace it. The carburetor must be cleaned and any failing components replaced. Mice and other wildlife like to eat wiring. I know what its like; you just want to cut the grass, right? It's almost as if the control voltage to the solenoid drops out on a whim. Alternators have two main components. No matter, well cover 3 other possible causes in this guide too. It also has a safety switch involved to not start when your parking break isnt engaged. I started it and pulled the choke up all the way really fast and now it will not start at all. Use a multimeters red and black prongs and touch them to the corresponding colors of terminals on the lawn mower battery. I was half asss mechanically inclined before i started, but just spending the time and fixing your own equipment teaches you ALOT real quickly! Answered by curtis b in 5 mins 9 years ago curtis b Auto Mechanic The battery, with a charger hooked, is at least 90%, same effect when letting it charge up and with the charger still on. Try the wiggle test on the connectors and check for obvious signs of water/corrosion damage. If you are unable to clear the clog or you find your fuel line is dry and cracking you will need to replace it. I have also had loose connections at the solenoid on mine and it didn't crank. Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us, 5110 28th Street #1056, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 616-805-9640 [emailprotected]Copyright 2023 Powered Outdoors, How to Tell Your Lawn Mower Solenoid is Bad, steps provided here to check the charging system. Wiggle Try wiggling the wires at the back of the ignition switch while attempting to start the engine; you may need a helper. I jumped the battery with the same result. A voltage regulator that monitors and controls battery charging and the alternator whose job it is to create voltage. Does it make any action as if to start or is it just dead? Solenoid Solenoids are a universal fit; they give lots of trouble. This is the last likely issue. (A 3-post solenoid is self-grounded). For mower troubleshooting, check out my guide Common Lawn Mower Problems: Solved. But my 30 hp Kohler demands it! Could be the fuel pump. When the carburetor is no longer able to do its function because blockages have formed in the carburetor, your Toro may not start. Other signs that your carburetor needle seal leaks are: overfull oil level; white smoke from the muffler; oil leaking from the muffler; gas dripping from the carburetor; a strong smell of gas in the garage. What other brand is this bad? The solenoids job is to connect the battery to the starter motor and crank over the engine for as long as you hold the key. Theyre generally well-built robust units. If it has a throttle on it I shut it off at idle. It may be disabled or broken. Most of the time its hard to visually tell if your pump is bad so youll have to test it. Hes been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and shares his know-how and hands-on experience in our DIY repair guides. Repair:A clogged fuel filter must be replaced with a new one. A week ago I thought I had plenty of gas when mowing and it started running in fits and starts like it was running out of gas. The valve lash describes a precise gap between the valve tip and the rocker arm. I have also had loose connections at the solenoid on mine and it didn't crank. This should be an issue with the starter. Do I need a new starter? If you have gas in the oil, dont run the engine; the diluted oil offers little protection to internal components. It tries to turn over but it's like there is not enough amperage, or the control voltage to the start relay drops out. You have an issue with your air vents and need to change, clean or replace a broken piece. Bad battery connections are very common, and by bad, I mean the power is not passing from the battery to the cables because the battery connections are loose, dirty, or damaged. It would be great to own a problem-free lawn mower, but its never the case. Youll want to check sections of your fuel hose for blockages by removing the end of a hose and placing it in a container. Another indication your Toro mower solenoid may be bad is when a wire attached to your solenoid gets hot and begins to smoke or melt. The starter solenoid is very weak on them. I just put on a new starter solenoid but the problem starting still occurs. Sounds Like a weak battery to me. check the wiring. Mechanically the top and bottom bearings and the gear head can wear. The cylindrical solenoid is a low-amperage relay that safely completes . 949Feedbacks. Other possible reasons include: Faulty Battery Dirty / Loose Battery Connection Faulty Solenoid Binding Starter Motor Excessive Valve Lash Hydro-locked Engine If you find that the cables keep coming loose or they are broken, they must be replaced. Toro timecutter won't start, just clicks, FIXED. I'll check plugs and clean. 1 Papakochenbrot August 5, 2018 Best Answer Check the ground from the solenoid. Step 2: With the switch removed examine the wiring. Common Most mowers will have the starter and solenoid separate. A bad alternator can ruin a battery. The problem I am having is the unit won't re-start if you stop it after mowing, and get back on to start. Youll need a volt-ohms meter, screwdriver, continuity light, and some wrenches. 74325 FYI is there a commercial grade engine I might be able to swap for it in the future if I just decided to gain more HP? Place on acharger tocharge your battery if your reading is less than this. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. As before, no change in the reading indicates a break in that wire. Add a dielectric grease to protect terminals and wiring from corrosion. Anyone else experienced this problem? Follow all safety instructions provided in your equipment operators manual before diagnosing, repairing, or operating. An insulated plier is any plier with plastic handle sleeves. Riding Lawn Mower Engine Clicks But Doesn't Crank - YouTube 0:00 / 6:21 Introduction Riding Lawn Mower Engine Clicks But Doesn't Crank Sears PartsDirect 110K subscribers Subscribe Share 910K. The battery powers the starter, and if it is not working, the starter will fail to engage completely. Ensure they are in good condition and making good connections. If you need some further assistance there is a great forum you can visit. Step 1: Go ahead and remove the push button off switch by pushing it from behind with your finger. However, if the wiring is broken or loose it will need to be repaired and we cover that a little later. This may be due to a bad spark plug, clogged fuel line, plugged fuel filter, bad gas cap, dirty carburetor, plugged air filter, bad battery, faulty switch, and more. So if you have this newer type of carburetor fitted, you will not likely have a hydro-locking condition. It's a Toro 16-42Z TimeCutter Z Riding Mower. Most of the time people here are more than willing to help if you provide the right information and ask the right questions. It will just click and not turn over or start. I dont cover how the kill switch system works in this guide as Ive covered it in this guide How to turn off a mower. Lash Adjusting valve lash requires an inexpensive tool called a feeler gauge. Toro implements safety precautions with their lawn mowers that require certain steps to be followed when starting and operating the lawn mower. Electrically the copper winding can break; brushes can break or wear out. Now i don't know if I run the battery down or not but when I left my place it had started to not do anything at all! No Comments; 0; 0. If it has been sitting with gas in the tank then it will have sludge in the gas and that will clog up everything and cause the carburetor to not get sufficient gas to start the engine or clog up the gas jets.You should always have anew filter and spark plug each year and always empty all gas when putting it away for the winter. It will not crank if the hydros are set to the neutral position on either of the back pins. I took off the hose and blew it out with the air compressor. Hes been a mechanic for over twenty-five years and shares his know-how and hands-on experience in our DIY repair guides. well my helper was unloading the machine yesterday and hen said he thought he heard me calling his name and he had the toro in idle and turned it off. Or Not! Depending on the size of your lawn mower, it may have an external alternator like the one you find on a car. The dealer wanted $80 to come out and pick it up! Please read through the procedure a couple off times before starting. There are many reasons why a starter solenoid can go bad. Gas only lasts for about 30 days before it begins to break down. SOLUTION: Test your starter solenoid. Youll need jump leads and any 12-volt vehicle. So whats the problem with a riding mower that wont start just clicks. The Fix Reconnecting solves the issue. Check the black cable from the battery to the frame of the lawn mower. Use a wire brush to scrub the terminals clean. I recommend a trickle/smart charger; theyre simple to use; pop on the color-coded crocodile clips, plug it in, and thats it. The bendix on the starter is also prone to getting jammed for some reason. The next most common cause is a disconnected engine side wiring. Once you own a Toro lawn mower long enough, youll eventually run into a time when your mower just wont start. If the switch is engaged and set, then go to the starter. SOLUTION: A starter can be a pricey item on a lawn mower. https://www.searshomeservices.com/repair#showall Your Toro will not start with a bad battery, loose cables, or corroded terminals. Low battery voltage. You will have to replace the cap if you cant get it to vent. There is a safety switch under the seat that prevents the motor from starting unless someone is sitting on it. This vacuum restricts fuel from flowing out of the tank. If turning the motor anti-clockwise frees it up you have found your problem, the starter motor is binding. Thanks for all the help again to everyone that chimed in and I'm really getting interested in small engine repair!! Clean thecarburetor by taking it apart and usingcarbcleaner toclean thecarburetor including the float bowl and needle. Step 2: To test the switch well need a Voltmeter set to ohms as well check for continuity between the 2 switch terminals. Repair: Test your Toro mower solenoid by following the steps here. Your Toro mower wont start because its essentially being starved of fuel. Repair:To clear a clogged line, remove the fuel line, spraycarbcleaner into the tube and usecompressed air to blow air through the tube until the line is free of debris and gummy residue. Its important to frequently check and clean your air filters to prevent starting and engine problems. Almost as if the wiring diluted oil offers little protection to internal.! Toro will not start # x27 ; t crank float bowl and.! 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