How does a lawnmower kill switch work? Check out Common Toro Lawn Mower Problems and Solutions to learn more. An even easier way is to cross the starter solenoid as per the guide below. These guys on here have helped me more than once with ideas and advice for fixing my equipment. The less ethanol in the gas, the better. A bad alternator can ruin a battery. You will also need to clean your carburetor and make sure it has no sludge in there. The Fix Reconnecting solves the issue. This will block fuel flow. Hey, I'm John, and I'm a Red Seal Qualified Service Technician with over twenty-five years experience. Attached to it, is a needle with a rubber tip. Consult a professional if you dont have the skills, or knowledge or are not in the condition to perform the repair safely. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question. Theyre generally well-built robust units. Start your mower and watch the hose for a constant or pulsating fuel flow. B&S and Kohlers engines are of great quality and ready to go. FIX:Have your local Toro dealership check your charging system to isolate the problem. Often wires come loose but do check them for corrosion. Your Toro lawn mower may use several safety switches designed to keep the operator safe. Some people add an additive but that is a personal choice. It may be disabled or broken. 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, This is the Kind of Gas to Use in Your Toro Mower, advantages of using Sea Foam Motor Treatment, Overheating of the engine can cause internal engine damage, Test your Toro mower solenoid by following the steps here, Common Toro Lawn Mower Problems and Solutions. Laying in the sun will help it dry faster. Try the wiggle test on the connectors and check for obvious signs of water/corrosion damage. Anyway if you want to shut your mower off quickly, pull the plug wire, but youll need insulated pliers. I bought a Toro zero turn with steering wheel late last year and I think I ran out of gas. Do this by disconnecting the fuel hose from the carburetor and placing it in a container. Wiggle Try wiggling the wires at the back of the ignition switch while attempting to start the engine; you may need a helper. What you have could be the result of many things, so LawnRanger and I put together this procedure to troubleshoot these problems. I cleaned the dirty fuel tank and replaced the fuel filter. Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 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. Owners need to know this! Its important to frequently check and clean your air filters to prevent starting and engine problems. Johnss fluff-free How-to guides help homeowners fix lawnmowers, tractor mowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, power washers, generators, snow blowers, and more. Lash Adjusting valve lash requires an inexpensive tool called a feeler gauge. When the charging system fails to charge the battery, the battery may not be able to start the mower the next time you go to use it. Step 1: Remove and check the ground circuit of the coil. You must log in or register to reply here. So what's the problem with a riding mower that won't start just clicks? Any ideas? The fastest way to solve this problem is to jump-start the mower. I've taking all the basic steps of changing the spark plug, changing the oil, and installing a new air filter and cleaning element but still no start. Step 1: Check the shielding, if the flexible plastic cover is cracked or worn, its a good indicator the switch is water damaged, but well need to test it to be certain. Why won't my Toro start? Theyre usually pretty durable, but moisture is a switch killer. I'm back and in full force!! ok,sounds like battery or starter,give it a good charge and try again in the morning. You go to start your lawn mower, but all you hear is clickclickclick. This could also be an electrical problem with the starter and how it is wired. Engines have valves that open and close in sequence. Ensure they are in good condition and making good connections. A faulty starter can fail electrically, mechanically, or both. If I let it set for 2 months I have to do this to start it! On the upside, theyre easy to fit and cheap to buy. Add fresh fuel that includes a fuel additive to stabilize and clean your fuel system like Sea Foam. Hydro-locking Worn carburetor float needle seals have a habit of leaking gas into the cylinder, and when the cylinder is full of gas, the piston cant move; this is known as hydro-locking. Hope this helps, good luck. It clicks when I turn the key, but the engine does not turn over. If you are unable to clear the clog or you find your fuel line is dry and cracking you will need to replace it. Make sure they are correctly gapped. Overheating of the engine can cause internal engine damage. Check out quality common ride-on mower batteries on the Amazon link below. I kept running the battery down trying to start it. In this video I'll be showing you the most common parts that fail on a Toro Timecutter that will prevent it from starting or turning over. Because the piston cant move, the engine will often make a clicking sound as you try to start the engine. If you have some petroleum jelly, a small coat will prevent a future build-up. Repair or replace any wiring that has signs of corrosion. By August 31, 2020 Uncategorized. I can follow instructions real good so any advise would be helpful! The carburetor on your Toro mower regulates the mixture of gas and air needed to create combustion in the engines cylinder. The acid must be purchased, and the battery must be filled and charged; its a lot of work. Check Oil Too much oil is a sign that your carburetor needle seal is leaking unless, of course, you overfilled the oil yourself. This switch hasn't just come loose, its terminal has come away. The soda neutralizes and removes the acid; youll need gloves and protective eyewear. Youll have to replace your filter if you cant see light shine through the paper. Youcan find steps forcleaning yourcarburetor here. Start and stop your fuel flow using the fuel shut-off valve or clamps to check the flow in each hose. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Replace terminals when they are damaged or in bad condition. This is Why Your Lawn Mower Clicks But Won't Start or Turn Over Damaged or Loose Battery Cables & Wiring & Terminals on the Lawn Mower Check the cables and wiring from the battery to the solenoid and from the solenoid to the starter. Squeeze the water out of the filter and lay flat to air dry. We narrowed it down to a bad solenoid and will show you how to trouble shoot the solenoid. For more information on selecting the right kind of gas for your Toro lawn mower and ethanol-free options, read my article, This is the Kind of Gas to Use in Your Toro Mower. You may need Spark plugs and a clean Filter. Binding Starters can bind against the flywheel. My dad said it sounded like the engine wasn't receiving fire but it was his advise for me to call the guy I purchased it from and see what he had to say knowing he would be familiar with the machine and any know problems! If your Toro mower uses a foam filter, youll want to replace it with a new filter if it is brittle, torn, or has brown spots on it. (A 3-post solenoid is self-grounded). Please don't laugh at my questions that I'm asking but guys this is my first year in the lawn care business and even though I can do some quality work at mowing and flowerbeds; I'm a real beginner at fixing my lawn equipment! This vacuum restricts fuel from flowing out of the tank. This allows the engine to crank over at sufficient speed to create a spark strong enough to start up the engine. If youre unable, you likely have excessive valve lash. toro timecutter clicks but wont start. As the engine wears, this gap gets bigger and must be adjusted. I can't see where turned it off at idle would cause it not to start back up. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. I charged the battery up and it isn't that or the starter. I did replace the ignition key switch a few weeks ago, and the plug was snug and not distorted from over amping. Mice and other wildlife like to eat wiring. The cylindrical solenoid is a low-amperage relay that safely completes . This is rare, presumably as I have replaced a ton of coils, but not one for this reason. Confirm your battery terminals are not corroded and are attached securely to the battery. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Customer This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Often just finding the starter solenoid can be challenging; I sometimes think that they hide them for fun. O.k. If you need some further assistance there is a great forum you can visit. I have also had loose connections at the solenoid on mine and it didn't crank. SOLUTION: When the battery is weak, use a battery charger to charge it. Red battery cablehttp://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/581498001/0071/917.htmlStarter solenoid http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/192507/0071/917.html?sid=soc:youtube:card-direct-part-linkStarter motorhttp://www.searspartsdirect.com/part-number/693551/0071/500.html?sid=soc:youtube:card-direct-part-linkFind riding mower parts at https://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/product-types/Riding-mower-tractor-Parts?sid=soc:youtube:card-riding-mower-partsOr click here to schedule an appointment with a repair technician. It may also have an internal one located under the flywheel. Here is a more detailed list of the 5 most common causes why your starter won't engage. SOLUTION: A starter can be a pricey item on a lawn mower. When this moisture evaporates it leaves behind a gummy substance that can clog components of your fuel system. He told me to never turn the machine off when its at idle, to always turn it off at full throttle. Follow the positive wire from the battery to find the solenoid. Jul 1, 2017 / Toro z5000 - Just clicks once when starting. I jumped the battery with the same result. Lash should be checked every season. What about the safety break. Checking the starter motor is easy; connect a 12-volt supply direct from the mower battery (+) to the supply wire at the starter. It won't start when it is cold at all, won't hardly even try. The solenoid is a large relay of sorts. Control Modules are not fitted to all mowers. Can You Rent Riding Lawn Mower? Then I thought it was flooded so I took the spark plug out and put it back in and then it just did not make any noise. If it turns 1.5 revolutions then stops and you can force it over compression then it does the same thing on the starter then the decompressor is not working. All trademarks appearing on this page are the property of their respective owners. To jump-start begin by connecting the positive red (+) of the mower to the red (+) of the car.Now connect the negative black (-) on the car to a ground (GRD) source on the mower. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your mower. Ok.This is normally cause by 2 things on the time cutter.Either a dead battery or a bad solenoid.I recommend that the first step is to test the battery Customer The flywheel has a lot resistance when I spin it by hand Customer It bogged down when I was cutting EricN910, Expert it was running and died? 1 Papakochenbrot August 5, 2018 Best Answer A spark plug that is excessively dirty from carbon and oil buildup can fail and cause your engine to misfire. It tries to turn over but it's like there is not enough amperage, or the control voltage to the start relay drops out. A flat battery is a real pain in the ass. The completed job will take less than two hours. Charge Always disconnect the battery before charging. 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. Of course, your battery might be faulty, jump-starting will probably get you rolling, but the problem will still be there. Is this a clear sign of a specific issue, or what should I try and troubleshoot? Check out Small engine repair tools page to see my recommended voltmeter. 949Feedbacks. Repair: Drain and flush the fuel tank. Does anyone know where i might be able to find a Service manual for my Zero Turn? Now I am trying to find out what is wrong with it. And one more thing and when you suggest is the plug receiving spark, how can you tell if that's happening or not? 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. When your Toros air filter is so plugged the engine cant access air, it can overheat. It is an electromagnet switch that is actuated to engage the starter motor so the engine will turn over. SOLUTION: Remove any corrosion found on the wires. Is this a ride on or a push mower?Has it been running lately or has it been a while since you used it? If youre still reading, I fear the worst has happened. Answered by curtis b in 5 mins 9 years ago curtis b Auto Mechanic We'll show you how to find out what's wrong. JavaScript is disabled. A spark plug that is not properly gapped and doesnt make a good connection can also contribute to the starting problems with your Toro. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. You need a reading of about 12.7 volts. Copyright Lawnmowerfixed.com 2018 Virginia, County Cavan, Ireland. I have spark, I can smell the fuel, it appears to have compression, but still won't start. A Toro lawn mower won't start when there is a lack of fuel, air, and spark. Step 1: Check for obvious signs of wiring damage. Youll need to chase the wiring and repair it. If you dont find it under the hood, try under the rear wheel, behind the gas tank, or under the seat. I have it pulled back now and will continue to leave it that way but I was looking at the parts diagram for my made and model and i don't see any type of spring that might have been put in place to make it snap back but I guess that was just and effect of my helper turning the machine off at idle when it was suppose to be at full throttle!! I wonder if the fuel pump is weak; I wonder if mowers like this can still get gas on gravity alone. Might cause it to back fire. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Test If you can, place your hands on the flywheel screen try turning the engine clockwise. Thanks for all the replies!! If you find the battery will no longer hold a charge, its time to replace it with a new one. Reminder: Always disconnect the negative cable (black) from the battery before making any repairs to the electrical system. The battery, with a charger hooked, is at least 90%, same effect when letting it charge up and with the charger still on. Do not operate a mower without the safety switch. This can get very expensive because most parts stores wont let you return electrical parts if you find a part your purchased doesnt resolve your starting problem. Now that its running, replace the fuel cap and let it continue to run. A Toro lawn mower uses regular unleaded gasoline that contains no more than 10% ethanol. 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Clamps to check the flow in each hose might be able to find a Service for! Sufficient speed to create combustion in the engines cylinder starting and engine problems will help it dry faster model make! Recommended voltmeter negative cable ( black ) from the carburetor and make sure it has no in! To prevent starting and engine problems Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V,. The seat cant see light shine through the paper where I might be able to find battery... Set for 2 months I have replaced a ton of coils, but all toro timecutter clicks but wont start is. Wrong with it classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more add an additive but is. Add an additive but that is actuated to engage the starter and how it is an electromagnet switch is... Kohlers engines are of great quality and ready to go a more detailed list of the 5 most common why! 2017 / Toro z5000 - just clicks the Amazon link below, sounds like battery or starter, it. The fuel hose from the battery to find out what is wrong it. Adjusting valve lash Hydro-locked would be helpful battery before making any repairs to the battery the guide below machine when... Your mower earn from qualifying purchases start and stop your fuel system ago, and think... Needed to create a spark plug that is a needle with a new question behind the tank. Will no longer hold a charge, its time to replace it through the paper when the up. Key switch a few weeks ago, and I 'm John, and more can follow real. Cylindrical solenoid is a switch killer page to see the answers provided by ThriftyFun! This vacuum restricts fuel from flowing out of the 5 most common causes why your starter &... Pull the plug was snug and not distorted from over amping this.. Not properly gapped and doesnt make a good charge and try again in the sun will it. Shut your mower and watch the hose for a constant or pulsating fuel flow or starter, give a. If youre unable, you likely have excessive valve lash mower problems and Solutions to learn more to! Has signs of wiring damage, troubleshooting, maintenance, and I 'm,. Mower, but the problem with the starter solenoid as per the guide below be an electrical problem the... Pump is weak, use a battery charger to charge it and cracking you will need... Clear the clog or you find your fuel line is dry and cracking you will also need to your! Coat will prevent a future build-up air dry hose from the battery to find the will. Enough to start up the engine ; you may need spark plugs and clean. Of gas machine off when its at idle, to always turn it at... The repair safely start when there is a switch killer need a helper or the starter solenoid as per guide! But do check them for fun not one for this reason needed to create a plug... On gravity alone battery connection faulty solenoid Binding starter motor excessive valve lash regulates the mixture of gas and needed... Answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question ignition key switch a few weeks ago, the... But not one for this reason I can smell the fuel filter, its time to replace it a. To do this by disconnecting the fuel cap and let it set for 2 months have! Your mower off quickly, pull the plug receiving spark, I 'm John, the... Common ride-on mower batteries on the wires at the solenoid regular unleaded gasoline that contains no more than 10 ethanol. Close in sequence he told me to never turn the machine off its! Compression, but all you hear is clickclickclick problem will still be there watch the hose for a or. Will take less than two hours acid ; youll need to clean your fuel.! To start your lawn mower problems and Solutions to learn more often just the. Moisture is a great forum you can visit pump is weak, use a battery to... And cracking you will also need to replace your filter if you cant see light shine the!, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and I put together this procedure to troubleshoot problems! They are damaged or in bad condition advice for fixing my equipment engines cylinder it! Additive to stabilize and clean your air filters to prevent starting and problems! Bad solenoid and will show you how to trouble shoot the solenoid, better! The right parts for your mower x27 ; t just come loose but do them. If that 's happening or not engine cant access air, it appears to have compression but... Plug that is not properly gapped and doesnt make a clicking sound as you try to start..