Small engine repair

[Andrew Tollison 3]

I just bought a Toro riding mower model#56145 with a Briggs & Stratton 8hp engine with a 32in cut. It fit perfectly in the back of my ST with my bed extender. I bought it from my brother in law and he said it was running the last time he used it but I could not get it to start. It has a new battery and ignition switch. I turn the key and nothing happens. Does anyone know anything about small engine repair and could help me figure out the problem with it? Thanks in advance



Andrew

 

[Richard Kolb]

Make sure the wires are all attached. Are you sitting in the seat? Some new ones have safety switches that only allow it to run with someone in the seat. Maybe the contacts under the seat are dirty.

 

[Andrew Tollison 3]

Its a 1986 model year. no wires are connected to the seats. But I do sit in the seat when I try to start it.

 

[Gavin Allan]

You mean when you turn the key it is completely dead, doesn't make noise or turn over?



If so, it sounds like you have a bad safety switch somewhere. Most mowers have switches to prevent them from starting if the blade is engaged; if the brake/clutch isn't depressed; if the transmission isn't in neutral; if you aren't sitting on the seat, etc. These little switches often fail or have loose connections or need adjustment. The key switch could even be bad.



You could have a blown fuse somewhere. Try traciing down all wiring on the unit to see if any wiring is damaged, unhooked, contains a loose connection, or has a fuse holder with a blown fuse. A voltmeter could be helpful for checking the wiring.



You could take a small piece of wire or even a paper clip and jumper around the safety switches temporarily to see if one is bad.



It is doubtful, but the starter relay could be bad. Check to see if you are getting 12V at the starter relay, and work backward with a voltmeter through the wiring until you find the problem.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Is the battery charged?



Do you have the clutch / brake pedal depressed as there is a safety switch connected to it??

 

[Richard Kolb]

Don't they have some safety switch that won't allow them to start if they've been tilted too far? I seem to remember a switch on some that needs to be reset if the mower tilts too far. Maybe I'm thinking of some other power equipment.

 

[Casey B]

Change the spark plug.

 

[Larry Gamble]

1. Make sure the PTO is disengaged

2. Make sure the lever to engage the mover blades is disengaged

3. Make sure you press the clutch/brake pedal

4. Try making sure it's in neutral or park

5. Are you sure the battery is charged?



If all else fails, try going on line and find a manual for that model mower.

 

[Richard L]

I concurr with everything that Larry said.



Make sure the blade is not engaged, most mowers will not start with the blade or other PTO's engaged.



If you know the battery is good (Be sure to test it), you probably have a bad safety interlock switch, or a broken wire...could even be the ignition switch. These safety interlock switches are often on the seat, and clutch/brake linkage.



The last possibility is a bad starter or a locked engine.



...Rich

 

[Chops]

Start relay. Follow ignition wire to it. A batt lead goes to it also.

 

[Andrew Tollison 3]

Thanks for all the help guys, I'll try some of this on my next day off. I would work on it when I get off work but by the time I get home its to late. I'll keep you posted on this.



Thanks again.

Andrew

 

[Chuck O]

I have the same problem with the same model.

I can jump the selenoid and it starts up like a charm?

Any ideas? Bad key switch maybe?

Thanks