I've had this Craftsman riding lawnmower for over 10 years now and it's been professionally serviced throughout those years. I've already purchased a new one, but I'd like to tinker around the old one to see if I could get it started again. It's the old Craftsman LT1000 17hp Briggs & Stratton motor with 42" deck. I had the battery on the charger for a couple of days & tried to start it, but the motor was just clicking and it wouldn't start. I brought the battery to O'Reillys to double check if the battery was still good, and they said it was OK & at 100%. So I then pulled the spark plug, and a bunch of gas started pouring out. I'm assuming I flooded the motor. After inspecting the plug, it looked alright, so I gave it a little cleaning and inserted it back in. I tried starting again, and it's still just clicking. I'm not a mechanic, but it seems like it would be an easy fix for the common DIY'er. This lawnmower was just running fine about a month ago, so it just broke down just recently. I'm getting a new plug now, but in the meantime, any help would be appreciated. Thanks. I will update if it starts with a new plug.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
check to see if you have any gas in the oil if you do its a bad float
Start Lawn Business Success!
Briggs And Stratton Starter Solenoid
Well, since the cylinder was flooded, you may have dampened the spark plug. You can replace the plug or do an old timer trick to dry it out by putting rubbing alcohol on the spark end of the plug then lighting it on fire with a match out on the work bench. The burning alcohol will burn out the moisture that is deep in the plug.
The clicking sound usually means that the battery is weak, but since you ruled that out, then maybe your starter solenoid is bad or even the starter. I'd check the solenoid first since it is cheaper to replace.
A clicking sound is nearly always a bad battery connection. Connect the charger to the battery terminals and with the charger on boost leave it for about 1 minute then, if its a diesel turn the heater plug on and start the engine. If it still clicks it could be the solenoid adjacent to the starting motor. Sometimes a few light taps on the solenoid works wonders.
Seems to me that if you removed the plug and gas came out then the needle valve in the carburator is stuck open, and since you can not compress a fluid the piston can't move and causes a seizure of the motor. Leave the plug out and try cranking it. If I'm right it will turn, if I'm wrong then its your starter or power to it.
True or false: If I jump across the two selinoid studs and get it to turn over--then the selinoid IS bad?
If it turns over from the jumped selinoid then the starter is working?
If the battery reads 12 volts on meter it could still be bad due to low amps?
If I jump the selinoid and engage the clutch and give it gas it should not just turn over but start the mower?
Thanks in advance!
Clicks but will not start or will not turn over?
I will start with the starter motor is bad. Remove it and test it.
Next probable problem is either the starter solenoid is bad or there is a bad connection or broken wire between the solenoid and the starter motor.
I know i'm late on this but just saw the question ..lol . Try taking a screw driver and touch both top terminals on the solenoid .. If it turns over the solenoid is bad.. Hope this helps ..
You have a bad connection between the battery and the starter solenoid. Check the ground cable where it attches to the mower frame.
--->> Tips---> https://trimurl.im/g44/riding-lawn-mower-won-39-t-...