I have a MTD 18 HP riding lawnmower. I have changed the battery, ignition, fuse, and spark plugs. I have checked the starter and flywheel and they seem fine. I still can't get the mower to turn over. Does anyone have any ideas on what else to try to at least get the mower to turn over?
Robbie from TIMBERLAKE, NC
We had the same problem with our MTD riding lawnmower. Turns out, the NEW battery we purchased from Walmart - was a bad battery. Returned it, got another one and it started right up! (04/11/2006)
Check your magneto. If it's too far from the fly wheel, it won't spark at all. (04/11/2006)
By Jake
3 essential things needed for any petrol engine compression, Fuel and spark compression take out spark plug and put thumb over spark plug hole and turn over should feel pressure if none possibly leaking valves may need to be regrinded or rings going.You need compression to draw petrol into engine.Next check that fuel is getting to moter if the moter has been turned over with spark plug in it should be wet with fuel otherwise if spark plug dry suspect fuel blockage follow the fuel line make sure filters are cleared and will need to dismantle jets in carby and blow out with compressor or foot pump if fuel is getting thru check spark by undoing spark plug and with lead attached short against metal part of mower and turn engine overs if no spark will need to check points gap try a new condenser if it has one set magneto gap distance is a cigarette paper width.Clean the magneto with fine sandpaper esp coil points some moters have electronic coils.If still no spark replace spark plug as could be faulty.One tip do not keep turning over engine unless you put some form of lubrication in as you will damage the rings.If moter has the electronic ignition you will have to get that tested at the mower dealer or auto electrician as requires special tools hope that helps i fix mowers as a hobby havent found any that i havent been able to figure out what was wrong with them.Using the above simple diagnostics.brent nz nz (04/12/2006)
By brent new zealand
It could be the safety connections.For example on my riding mower the is a connection under the seat when disconnected will not turn over the mower.If you have the owners manuel look to see where these connections are or trace them by eye to make sure all are connected and making contact. (04/12/2006)
By Dean
Brent New Zealand says: check spark by undoing spark plug and with lead attached short against metal part of mower and turn engine overs if no spark will need to check...
Question: HOW do you do this in detail? Take the spark plug all the way off...and THEN attach some sort of wire to the spark plug connector?...and then touch part of the mower with the wire? (08/16/2006)
By mitch1
Turns out mine was the crank shaft the hole not drilled all the way through for oil flow, trying to get Briggs & Straton to stand behind faulty craftman ship.
If I would have used cheap oil it would have locked up sooner. Just over 100 hrs. but 4 years old (08/16/2006)
By altrammell
I have an MTD Tradesman 18.5 HP and I cannot get the fuel to flow through the fuel line. I have checked the fiel line for a blockage from the fuel tank to the fuel filter, changed the fuel filter, and checked the fule line from the filter to the carb????? I can get it to start if I put a little fuel in the carb but it will only run for 15 sec. or so and I cannot see any fuel coming through the filter? I can blow air into the fuel tank through the fuel line but I cannot get it to flow into the line from the tank??? Any thoughts? (03/07/2007)
By Ronda Bird
check the ignition switch contacts. Pull the switch out, clean contacts. We just got a free one from a friend and it wouldn't start. He had to jump start it. That was all that was wrong with it (plus a totally clogged air filter). Worked for us. (03/19/2007)
By Patty
I have a Power Pro 12 HP IC riding mower. Model #12AL452F120 SER#3B19711-0214. A large spring came loose under the rider and from the deck. I put the mower on lifts and thought that I had the correct area that it went into. However, the entire mower can not be moved even out of gear and in neutral. The mower was having starting problems recently and I had to open the cover and hand turn the top of the motor until it felt like it would release and then it would turn over. Any ideas or suggestions for me to repair this? (05/10/2007)
By Jim
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