How to Fix a Riding Lawn Mower that Doesn’t Crank or Click

This #diy video shows how to #diagnose and #repair a riding mower or lawn tractor that doesn't crank or click when you turn the key to start the engine.
Find the written article that matches this video here: www.searsparts...
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This video shows what to do if your riding lawn mower doesn't do anything when you turn the key to start the engine-not even click. We show you how to pinpoint the cause by checking the riding mower’s battery, solenoid posts and coil, fuse, ignition switch, brake switch and blade switch. We also walk you through how the starting system works, so you can better understand how to track down the problem. Order parts to fix the problem once you find the cause of the failure.
Visit us at:
www.searsparts...?sid=soc:youtube:riding-lawn-mower-doesn’t-crank-or-click
Or call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.
The video includes these parts and tools. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your mower.
Starter solenoid
www.searsparts...
Fuse
www.searsparts...
Ignition switch
www.searsparts...
Brake switch
www.searsparts...
Blade Switch
www.searsparts...
Find riding mower parts at
www.searsparts...
Or click here to schedule an appointment with a repair technician.
www.searshomes...

[@brandonkelling962]

This is by far the best video I have ever seen in my 20 years of using KZbin. Holy moly.

[@IYUB30]

I thought the same thing! I wish there was more tutorials just like this.

[@rcf8367]

+1

[@LisaJohnson1967]

This is exactly what I was looking for/needed!! My neighbor's lawnmower won't start & she's not mechanically inclined. I'm not a mechanic, but I work on my own stuff, so I learn from these videos, and this one is fantastic!! Well done; thank you so much!!

[@badfrogofblackdesert8149]

Awesome! Fixed my mower in exactly 22 seconds! 0:22 😅😅😅😅🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

[@tommywalters5691]

This is the absolutely best self-help video I have ever seen! And ate 77 years old and living on ten acres, I've had to watch a dfew!

[@jbintrepid]

I know it's a 5 year old video but it really helped me troubleshoot my electrical problem. Had my mower running again after 2 hrs of diagnostics and repair. Thank you!!!

[@DavidBugea]

Thank you for posting this. My mower did nothing when I took it out of winter storage - no click, no headlamps, no instrument panel lights - so I replaced the 11-year-old battery. No luck. This video saved me the hassle of pushing the mower onto a trailer and to the shop for an hour pensive repair bill. You saved me something more precious than money; you saved me TIME.

[@ericaviator8869]

THIS is exactly how SUPERB electrical troubleshooting is done - a seasoned pro helping clueless folk like me ! Thanks

[@thomasl2646]

If you’re clueless how do you know that this is how superb electrical troubleshooting is done?

[@KMEthridge]

Thanks for the screwdriver tip. Worked like a charm!

[@jcgoogle1808]

You notice how they buried that 10 second piece of meat in a bunch of nicey nice electrical trouble shooting? LOL One thing I found too if you get the clicking and nothing else,... reverse the polarity on the starter and spin it backwards. That will loosen up any thing that may have lightly adhered that can't be overcome by the shorting the starter terminals,.. after sitting for a long time. Spun it backward a little, flipped the polarity back to normal and the starter started working fine.

[@jimhendrix7776]

Stupendous video, not too technical and VERY DETAILED!!! Out of the HUNDREDS of videos I've watched, this ones by far the most detailed ad easiest to understand... going step by step IN ORDER of sequence needed for power to get to the starter... Bravo my dude, great job!

[@nora-ub9yi]

Thank you. Single mom here and had no idea how to go about this… the power switch was loose… saved my time, and money I don’t have to spent on a big repair…

[@binbashbuddy]

This should be in the every owners manual, I had to spend an hour finding this tutorial (which is excellent by the way). Now on to hopefully fix my more, grass is getting higher than the corn (which is actually a grass).

[@smokeandmirrorsinc]

After buying a new starter and a new solenoid I finally see this video and never had checked the fuse. Sure enough that was the culprit. thank you.

[@lmillert]

Just knowing where the switches, solenoids and other electrical components are located is a big help. Thanks for one of the best illustrations ever.

[@joshuagiuffre247]

Mid 2024 and you literally saved me big time with a video from 7 years ago, thank you so much!! Goes so in depth and so well explained, I had been trouble shooting for days but thanks to you it only took an extra 30 mins after watching the video.

[@richarduber7091]

Props are Due when Props are Due, Dwayne Best Tutorial I have ever seen. Thanks again, Mower is back and running.

[@drreason2927]

Me too! Would have never found my problem without this excelent toutorial!

[@stephenspainhour5031]

Just fixed my Husqvarna because of this man. A million thanks

[@kellywhalen3536]

Video is outstanding. Methodical and complete discussion on the electrical pathways including highlighted illustrations. Simple explanations on how to diagnose problem. Excellent use of and explanation of multimeter. Discussion was to the point, no extraneous dialogue. All close-ups were clear. No blabber up front. Video is perfect length. This video is accurate enough to apply to any lawn tractor.

[@stuffwelike7184]

Thank you so much. I'm trying start up a mower that's been sitting so I can put it up for sale. This is the most explanatory video yet

[@outdoorslyentertainment3825]

I own a lawn care company and a client gave me a free riding mower. Last weekend I worked on it replaced shear key and cleaned carb and fresh gas got it to start however idiling was super high. Off work today and Im not fixing the idiling but it wouldn’t crank but as soon as you said “fuse” DING DING DING I forgot I pulled the fuse to put on my air compressor lol. Thank you sir

[@johnwaldbaum7780]

Thank you! Watching this video pinpoint my problem to the solenoid which was $14 at Lowe’s and easy to replace. Mower started right up and saved the expense and hassle with the local repair shop.

[@burtonkephart6239]

What was wrong? Jumper cables wouldn’t work? So you went to solenoid

[@johnwaldbaum7780]

It’s been a while since this happened, but yes, connecting to jumper cables from my truck battery still not start as there was no electrical activity or movement. It definitely was the solenoid.

[@kiltedwolf2]

I never knew who made Craftsman riding mowers but I own a Husqvarna model that is a virtual DEAD RINGER to this one. Even the internal parts. This makes this video doubly pleasing to watch as it's so close to home. This man does a great job being concise without wandering off course. Much appreciated.

[@johncelletti3108]

went right to it and now I have a running mower. You have the perfect youtube voice and cadence,

[@mikeweckman2850]

This guy knows what he is talking about! I am a mechanic and this guy saved me a lot of time. My fuse holder was corroded so bad I lost continuity

[@deandremanley1718]

I had the same issue

[@kevinmccarthy3902]

Oh my God! I’m such an idiot. The blades were in gauged so I got nothing. Charged the battery, tested fuses. Was about to test the solenoid when I came across your video. I looked up and saw it was up. Dam. Thank you sir. This was the equivalent of have you plugged it in, or turn it off then back on. The first 30 seconds of your video was my issue

[@elijah8706]

Thank you. I was able to get my mower running again because of this video. I also appreciate the way in which the video was done. Straight to the point and very informative.

[@searspartsdirect]

We're glad to hear that you were able to get your mower running again and that our video helped. Thanks for the feedback.

[@newrunner91]

Excellent video! It helped this mechanically un-inclined homeowner determine that the solenoid was bad. Twenty-five dollars and a few minutes for installation and my 18 year old Craftsman was back to mowing.

[@DuckTracy]

By far this is the best troubleshooting how-to of any kind that I have ever seen. Thanks and keep up the good works!

[@leogle]

Very helpful. I was going through all of the checklists and then I heard him say, "If the blades are engaged it will not start. I went out and the mower and sure enough I had left the blades engaged. I put them in the off position and the mower started right up. I knew it would not start with the blades engaged but I just forgot to turn the blades off the last time I turned the mower off. Thanks again!

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. Sometimes the initial troubleshooting checks solve the problem and you don't have to pull anything apart.

[@lenhutchison4562]

Len Hutchison Dallas TX --- Very straight forward and accurate trouble shooting guide. It helped me find the problem in my riding mower (wiring to brake switch rubbed insulation off two of the white wires to break switch). I have a 5 year old YTH 24V48 Husqvarna and the electrical is almost identical to the Craftsman mower. Went through all steps until almost the last, The instructor was very understandable, Thanks!

[@craigsisler]

I love this guy... and this is, hands down, the best how-to video I've ever seen. I had the turn-but-no-click problem and after I confirmed my battery was okay, I knew it was an internal electrical problem. This is an area where I'm clueless so I knew I'd need to pay for pickup and repairs... And then I found this video. Problem solved. Awesome. Thank you.

[@packrat76]

So what was it??

[@calebgrimes4866]

I determined my buddies riding lawn mower had a bad solenoid. This video was amazing. Helped me diagnosis this issue. $12 for new solenoid.

[@kellybyrne1782]

This was awesome!! Husband and I fixed our zero turn! Saved so much money and time! Thanks!!

[@sctrj3001]

100% best troubleshooting video ever. Well done.

[@franklamantia9619]

My craftsman mod#944.60280 would not crank or click, watched your video and found the red wire off the solenoid had a in line connector which when pulled apart showed signs of overheating causing open circuit. The problem was not visible until the connector was pulled apart. I cut the connector out of the circuit soldered the wire together, engine started great. Thank you for the great video and the easy to follow steps.

[@tekkietekkie]

thanks for posting this, after having a non starting issue i figured out that my fuse was corroded, the incoming power was 12v but the outgoing was 8v which was very odd, replaced that and boom it fired right up!

[@myrontruex4196]

This is absolutely the most concise video I have seen. Best demonstration seen in over 40 years.

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for the encouragement. We worked hard to produce a credible and useful troubleshooting video that many DIY'ers can use.

[@91GT347]

@@searspartsdirect Agreed. Very clear speaking and video work. Clearly shows the meter settings, etc. Most people probably don't know where the settings are. They probably have to borrow one.

[@DrBruno50]

Outstanding. Every word was important and not a single useless word. This video should be used as the penultimate example on how to make an instructional video. I am forwarding all his videos to my kids and grandkids. After that I will feel better about looking at brown side of the grass. My kids will be in good hands and not at the mercy of some miscreant nincompoop.

[@freedomhigh2160]

I’m having this same problem with my mower,, it has been sitting for two months now, I was thinking it was the starter motor. I will now perform these steps but have to buy a multi meter. I didn’t even search for this info, it just happened to be one of the videos that pulled up, Hmm 🤔 the universe, law of attraction, and my thoughts are working together just fine 🤗👍🏻 thank you sir !

[@keithaheiden5600]

I am one of those mower lever in the wrong position. Great video and good information.

[@stevehtml5490]

We want to adopt you man ! BEST instruction / explanation / guidance I've found to date THANK YOU , let me know where to send the beer or coffee to ! Toro Timecutter sitting in the yard .... What fuse ? Put a new solenoid on yesterday , still no click , ergo ... we can't afford another 3 - 400 buks for something so simple . THANKS Again !

[@dannowelty76]

THANK YOU this helped me go all the way through my mowers. Bad brake safety switch. By far the best video out there for trouble shooting.

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear that you found the problem and that our video helped.

[@andyjprice7492]

Excellent tutorial! I get the feeling this guy knows everything there is to know about small engine repair. I'm guessing he uses a different approach at the shop when delivering the information informally! Very nicely done.

[@capone3167]

Greatest mower repair video of all time !!!

[@chooseTheGood2day]

20 of the views are from me. Looking forward to view it more the harder I drive this tractor

[@TwiliteNites]

Forget all those dweebs with their fancy (eck...music?)and ponytail boys. THIS GUY IS THE REAL DEAL! Many thanks!

[@lilmo037]

I appreciate this video for giving me the power to figure out my problem on my own. Also, the man doing the teaching here is absolutely adorable and I want to adopt him.

[@dhimrich]

This video was tremendously helpful. It is much more thorough than the others I watched. I worked through almost all the steps before finding the white wire that a local rodent had chewed through. Thanks, Sears! I would be going through many hassles and my lawn would look terrible if not for your video.

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for the feedback and for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear you found the problem.

[@davidstill8989]

A local rodent 🤔 Are you sure that it wasn't an out of town rodent just passing through?😂🤣😃😃. Sorry but I couldn't resist...lol

[@videoridge]

Amazing, to the point! Scottie, You better start watching your back end this gentleman has gone past you sir, thank you sir your explanation fits to a " T",actually didn't happened t,o me but I didn't go far enough and I didn't get a crank and then go on but with your help we'll be doing it soon,THANKS A BUNCH *** Art in MO

[@go-to-H2O]

Excellent, excellent explanation, really appreciate the systematic approach. One more basic pre-check before diving into all the switches is to check the ground wire from the battery to the chassis…ask me how I know. A lose main ground caused the solenoid to click sometimes, sometimes the engine would turn over, mostly there was no clicking no start. Five stars and two BIG thumbs up!

[@Bmackie731]

These videos are great. Every time i touch my YS4500 it seems like I screw something up and these have helped immensely. I took my mower deck off to replace the blades and didn't re-secure the blade lever spring.

[@davem5116]

Great video Managed to turn my uncle's ride on mower from a lawn ornament into a usable mower following the instructions. Cheers Dave

[@rbarajas1986]

When you do the test at 6:00 minute mark- what do you look for if meter shows high resistance?? You talked about low or infinite- this shows 23 ohms of resistance.

[@rodleonard1429]

How could anyone thumbs down this video? Excellent info, thank you

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

Rod Leonard Some people are just assholes I guess. I fully agree that this video answered every question I had.

[@5ghostshadow]

When people can fix things themselves, the repairman or salesman loses money. In this case, the lawn mower repair shops or lawn mower sales stores are not happy. LOL.

[@randybrown7105]

Great video. I had a really good one to share. My riding lawn mower wouldn't start not even click hence I checked the battery and 12 volts were present but to make sure I put it on a charger and the charger said it was fully charged. To make a long story short after checking several other parts I soon returned to the battery. You see a battery can read 12 volts but a battery also works by supplying amperage to the parts it operates. Needless to say I had the voltage but not the amperage (the juice) to start my mower. Once I replaced the battery it started right up, One way to see if your battery will handle a load is hook it up and then put the meter on the cables with the battery connected and in my case the battery quickly dropped to 7 volts under load. So voltage is a great way to troubleshoot but it can sometimes be deceiving too.

[@davidshirley7439]

Wonderful Tutorial! I learned a ton and not afraid to pull out my volt meter and start using it. I feel confident now that I can figure out why my father's craftsman mower will not start. Thanks so much!

[@atercero333]

Thank you for the video. Even though I have a different brand mower I was able to follow through checking the battery, solenoid, and safety connectors; and find that one connector was loose and not letting the mower to start. Thank you!!!

[@Thecoolestvato777]

Outstanding video to the point and noise LOUD music, thanks for sharing.✌

[@49Jersey]

Fantastic video. I have a Craftsman LT1000 and never had electrical problems. Working on a friend's Husky mover that won't start. Very informative video. Thanks.

[@kurayami3857]

I'm working on a LT2000 but I replaced the starter and spark plug and some more stuff and now nothing happens at all before I did all this stuff the engine would at least turn a little now nothing at all happens and idk what's wrong

[@rargle111]

I just want to add in another comment for this being one of the most straight forward and informative videos about this subject. Helped me find the problem in my riding mower (bad brake switch), it was driving me nuts, thanks a lot.

[@brianlewis5088]

25 seconds in and this dude fixed my issue hahahah thanks!

[@Zoofactory]

Dwayne’s beard is as positively charged as his video. Thumbs up!

[@HoneyRowland]

Bought a "New to Me" Husquavarna lgt2654. Battery tested full charge but bad. Bought new battery. Died on me 3 times. Now won't start at all and I've no clue why. Thank you as I now know how to figure it all out!

[@Cyberdemon1985]

Excellent tutorial. I have the same issue on my riding craftsman. I will grab my DMM and start the troubleshooting. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@ckimble7]

This was helpful for me. I never even though about checking the fuse. I checked the battery, solenoid,and switches before I ever checked the fuse. Smh. Thank you!

[@billsaltz4220]

Much appreciated! My tractor's running again! Thanks for the help, thanks for an excellent video!!! God bless!!

[@JohnTurcott]

Excellent troubleshooting for a number of riding garden tractors like Craftsmen's and John Deere , thank you!

[@dillbill4453]

Great video got my mower running

[@THEOGGUNSHOW]

The most complete video on this out there! Thanks

[@davidsteinfeld9123]

yeah its more to a problem some times when a guy don't know were to look or how to ask the questions I recently acquired an ariens rideing tractor and its got an issue or issues that may all be described in your tutorial and so thankful for stumbling upon it now I indeed have some better understanding of what to look for as I did have it running and was in question about the Condition of the battery and jumped it with my truck and still nothing the other thing I tried was putting the jumper leads to the starter and still nothing all the the starter is good no question there I do think the selinoid is the problem from what was said previously for now its all good stuff to begin the hunt 👍 and will be asking more questions in the near future thank you for sharing this knowledge with us

[@1977jmad]

Thanks for posting this fixed my problem. Swapped the solenoid and fixed the problem. I think it need a new ignition switch too though.

[@allentownsend3531]

This is excellent! I have a Simplicity Conquest. I found my problem at the switch. The rubber boot on the switch kept the key from fully engaging. Once fixed, it works like a charm. Thank you for your excellent video.

[@juandelossantos3934]

This video helped me determine the terminal had broken copper wires on the 6 gauge copper wire. After replacing terminal on the trimmed chore and then that the blade must be lifted, lol!

[@juandelossantos3934]

After replacing the positive terminal on the trimmed copper wire. I had trouble still but I lowered the blade and it works!

[@GREVILSHOW]

Your amazing. You break it down so good for us dummies. Thank you so much

[@Olichi60]

Well I managed to trace the fault in my lawn tractor and fix it. Thank you, I wouldn't have known where to start without your informative video. Thumbs up from me.

[@bjayscanlon]

An excellent video. Thanks sears parts direct. Now I'll need a new brake switch.

[@jnevison4876]

Wow i cant believe it was just the blades being engaged lol thanks for the help

[@donnacole7055]

Great job! This was by far the best video explaining in detail how to check your lawn tractor if not starting. Bravo!!!

[@alyssasacora2330]

We just fixed our mower thanks to this video. Thank you!

[@searspartsdirect]

Success! We glad to hear that our video helped and that you fixed the problem.

[@eddieesquivel1685]

Just helped me fix my machine. I did not know about the fuse. Checked it out and there was the problem.

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear that you got your mower fixed.

[@lucidot]

Very good video for troubleshooting electrical problems. Mower started with jump, but would not start on its own. First thought was its the solenoid. My battery was only 10 volts, not enough to power solenoid . Replaced battery with new, started right up. Thanks much for this info.

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear that you got your mower fixed.

[@philipruehl1324]

Was that 10 volts when hooked up or when disconnected? My mower is having a no click-no start, all switches and wires check ok per the video. Battery is 10V connected but 12V disconnected. Solenoid gets ~8V with key on. Looking for broken wires but not finding anything yet.

[@N68172]

My blade disengagement was the problem 😆. I didn’t consider it at first because the lever was in the disengaged position. I worked it back and forth a couple of times between engaged and disengaged and tried starting. What do you know? It fired right up. I had already checked battery and fuse per other videos. THANKS!

[@ckac730]

Excellent video. I wish you could come diagnose my issue. But I'm gonna use what I learned here to do more review.

[@ScottFowler-m6e]

This was an excellent informative video. I have a simplicity tractor but the principles are all the same and was able to zero in on the problem

[@vincentsaccio3132]

It is the best video for troubleshooting electrical issues, I totally agree. Thanks for making this video.

[@mikelocke4488]

Thank you sir, this video helped me solve an issue with a non starting mower.

[@zedcartwright5267]

If nothing is heard when ignition switch is turned on. It is likely a bad switch or the wiring to the switch has broken, or battery is completely dead or disconnected. If battery is strong you will usually hear some click of the solenoid trying to engage if the solenoid is at fault, and this click will indicate that juice is flowing from the battery through the switch to the solenoid. So switch would likely be good. Touch the bare end of a thick insulated wire to the positive battery post and the other bare end to the small terminal on the solenoid (the solenoid terminal with small wire/wires from the ignition switch). If the engine turns over the solenoid is good and either the switch is bad or wiring from it to the battery has broken. Just had a problem with my neighbors and I found that the wire had broken off in the fuse holder so no juice was getting from the battery to the switch. I picked up on the fuse holder looking for wiring problem and the wire fell out. So with this problem there was no battery feed to the switch as the circuit was broken at the fuse holder and the engine would not start even with the key turned on and the solenoid jumped even though the engine turned over because it was as if the ignition was turned off/ no circuit to ignition coil. If the switch is good and it is getting juice from the battery you can turn the key on and start the engine through jumping the solenoid by touching the two big terminals together with a big screwdriver, or you can use a long wire and hold one bare end to the positive battery post and touch the big starter post with the key on. It will start up if there are no problems with the ignition switch or wiring.

[@jeffdyrland2795]

GREAT video on troubleshooting small engine electrical! I'm very mechanically inclined and can repair or replace just about any part. But electrical just stumps me. This video was extremely explanatory and made my repairs very easy to track! Thank you

[@jeffdyrland2795]

Just don't understand why the 191 dislikes... 191 jackasses that, despite the very informative and helpful nature of the video, are still having problems?

[@danyeo]

Thank you for this one. I need to troubleshoot my mower, it’s from 2006 but it’s been running great for years. I don’t want to drop 3k on a battery mower yet.

[@robertcarney1019]

Terrific, informative yet concise video. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

[@scubaflimedic]

Excellent video! Clear instructions and well spoken!

[@fonzyhaskell]

Thanks for this very informative video. When I turn the ignition switch the solenoid clicks and I have battery voltage at the starter, but it still won’t turn over. Any suggestions?

[@briancarroll8124]

Just a heads up…..on my mower the vibrations over time had loosened wiring connection just behind the ignition key/switch. This video helped me find that, but took a awhile to get to that point. Sometimes it’s the simple stuff that is wrong.

[@josecuevas1309]

Clear and to the point. If I ever see you in real life be prepared for a high five.

[@searspartsdirect]

We're glad to hear that you liked our video. Wayne's always on the lookout for high fives. BTW--we just posted a montage of humorous clips and outtakes from Wayne that you may enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5yuqWpuf86nh8k

[@craigdrain9790]

This is very comprehensive and professionally made. Thank you

[@wendellumcpastor3284]

Thanks so much! I found a blown fuse I had no idea existed. I was back up and running in just a few minutes and a trip to the hardware store.

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear that you fixed your mower.

[@aboomalacani2732]

Will just any 20 amp fuse work that looks like the one in the video? Thanks

[@ernsmith8448]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! After many of hours of poking around this video pointed me to the fuse that was in fact blown. Saved me lots more time and $$ in having a pro take a look at it.

[@searspartsdirect]

We're glad to hear that you found the cause of the failure. Thanks for letting us know and for the positive feedback.

[@mrjohnnylongsleeves4128]

THE Best video on troubleshooting electrical issues, THE BEST! Thanks!

[@John-vb1fk]

My problem is safety switches, He left out the Clutch switch.

[@tedwilliams8134]

This saved me about $300. I had to replace a 40 cent fuse. thanks

[@TheTinkle1]

John it’s al the same on every mower just find the switch

[@cory2146]

I don't even own a craftsman and I found this helpful.

[@izzycamaro]

Thanks for the great video on troubleshooting the electrical system on the lawn mower.

[@michaelwalthers9158]

Thanks for video. Helped me troubleshoot and fix my riding mower problem. It was the fuse.

[@GHOOGLEMALE]

Excellent - On my UK mower if you are not sitting on the seat it wont run either so another check to add to the list

[@Neznisgip]

Also, check to make sure that both of the wires that connect the fuse, hasn't wiggled loose. That is what was wrong with mine. It is a very easy fix, and could save you hours of headaches. You won't hear a click when you turn the key. I found the problem when I checked the fuse.

[@searspartsdirect]

Great suggestion! Thanks for letting us know what you found and posting it so others can check that fuse wiring too. We're glad to hear that you found the cause of the problem.