Mower not starting, Just Clicks? How to diagnose & Please read video description.

Do not attempt to start your motor as shown in this video. It just to demonstrate how the solenoid works.
Mower starter and solenoid issues explained.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

To find tools, shop equipment, mower parts and more, you can find them at my store. Click this link: www.amazon.com/shop/mechanicalmind I'll get a commission on the sale at no extra cost to you. It's a great way to help the channel and get the items you need.

[@garyhammond2213]

I've learned a lot from your videos. So helpful! Thank you.

[@MichaelHicks03]

I’ve got a John Deere X730. When I turn the switch to start, it has one single click. Dash lights illuminate. Checked the battery and terminals, they’re good. Replaced the solenoid, it does the exact same thing….one click.

[@Miketython818]

The starter isn’t engaging properly or bad connection

[@christaylor3675]

Hey now.... Thanks brother for the video I appreciate it

[@LorWest-sv9yg]

PTO swich! ours wouldn't turn over and crank and this was the issue! Been there twice on two different JD mowers.

[@vernardjones7476]

That screwdriver trick allowed me to finish my lawn even though the the solenoid was bad! Thanks a million!!!!

[@johnromero1887]

Mine is doing the same thing. I have a john deere x324. I can hear a click but nothing happens. If I put a jump box and jump off the mower it fires right up. Battery is brand new. Think it's the solenoid or do I have a problem with a connection somewhere?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

I think your new battery is either bad or the battery's connections are loose /corroded.

[@johnromero1887]

@@Mechanical_Mind appreciate the quick response. I was thinking along the lines of the same thing. I will change battery and also the cables

[@judisinger3693]

My Craftsman gt2000 just makes clicking sounds when trying to start. It will only start when I change main fuse to 7.5 amp fuse? Someone chimed in and said I had arc issue? Would that be with the solenoid? Does it hurt to just keep the 7.5 fuse when apparently it is suppose to be a 20amp?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

It's perfectly fine to run a smaller fuse if it's not blowing the fuse. The danger comes when people run larger fuses than they are supposed to. It makes no sense that a smaller fuse would work vs. a larger one. It could be that fuse holder tabs are not making good enough contact with the fuse. You can use a small screw driver to pry the tabs inward to grip the fuse better. I also like to spray wd40 in the holders and blow it clean with air to clean out all the dirt.

[@judisinger3693]

@Mechanical_Mind Thanks. I knew about not using larger Fuses and I agree it starting with 7 5 when it calls for 20 is puzzling. It would not start with a 10 either??? I will try adjusting and cleaning fuse holder. Someone suggested it's an "arc" issue? Is that with the solenoid? I will advise if I figutecit out. I'm working on a friend's mower that is a vet suffering with Alzheimer's. He used to be my mechanic and now struggles with these tasks! Thanks!!!!

[@Mechanical_Mind]

@judisinger3693 What they mean by an "arc" issue is that it's a loose connection or wire with worn insulation, and the electricity is arcing across the connection, which will blow the fuse. It can be as simple as a loose battery connection, corroded connection, or a loose wire connection going to the solenoid or starter motor. Often times it can be caused by a loose ground connection. A good visual inspection of all the ground connections and wire connections is where I start. Also I'll examine the wires for melted, damaged, or worn wire insulation. It's usually an easy fix once you find it. The hard part is finding the issue. A blown fuse can also be caused by a faulty starter motor or other component but more often, it's a loose connection somewhere. I'd start by disconnecting the battery. Disconnect the ground first (negative) then the positive. Then while the battery is disconnected carefully inspect all the wires and connections. Better yet disconnect, clean, and reconnect any connections that look corroded.

[@judisinger3693]

@Mechanical_Mind Thanks! I've dealt with ground issues with trailer lights! May take a day or two to get back over there to work on it! There is obviously something going on and will big me til I figure it out! Thanks for your suggestions and explanations. I will advise what I find. It may help someone else!!!

[@Rhettnorris09]

Thank you.

[@foxdogsourdough]

Thank you.

[@ZulkSOD]

When I bypass the solenoid on my toro it just throws sparks. Battery voltage 12.64

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Starter bad

[@ZulkSOD]

@@Mechanical_Mind thanks for getting back to me so quickly. This is the answer I was afraid of

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Any updates?

[@ZulkSOD]

@@Mechanical_Mind I'm going to pull the starter and bench test it, just haven't found the time to get to if

[@tanyaspurgeon8772]

♥

[@CalebColeKnows]

can i jump start it with a battery charger, it has 12v

[@borandolph1267]

Thanks! Helped me get our old John Deere going again!

[@angel-mq2mo]

2 years later and this info is still relevant and helpful! Thanks!🏆Where are all the awesome men like you in this world!!?? 🤔

[@wmpowis1257]

this helped me a bunch. thank you

[@ryanreeder5897]

Even if this isn't my problem (yet to dive into it) I learned a bit. Thank ya.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Also check this video out kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3KyhpJ8itKJaJo. Thanks for watching! 🍻

[@dakotajohnson6270]

I have a cub cadet LT 1050 sometimes starts right up other times won’t do anything sometimes clicks and sometimes the starter will spin and won’t engage.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Sounds like you have a solenoid and a starter issue. Id change the solenoid first. If can, spray some WD40 on the starter wheels shaft. Wd40 will not hurt anything. Its helped me many times free up a sticking starter. Disconnect the battery negative cable first before doing any of the work. Thanks for watching!

[@GraceKnowsItsFLAT]

Changes fuel filter, good oil level, new solenoid, STILL won’t start.

[@davidathonypayne]

Check the fuse

[@nissawysf9442]

So helpful. Thank you. The info Save me lot of time

[@Vanguardcredit]

my mower starts only if I jump it... could it be the starter solenoid also?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

That is most likely the battery. Check to make sure the charging system on the mower is working also. Here is a video I did explaining how to check it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpuUqGuajN2Upqs

[@zacharytedder8809]

When I do this to mine, it just keeps turning over, i sprayed starting fluid and still not firing, bad plug or wire? Just odd or it to cut off while cutting then straight to this problem but not even firing

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Check the spark plug first. It could also be the ignition coil. Did you hear a noise when the engine stopped? You could have a loose push rod that may have dropped. Or worse a dropped valve or even a broken connecting rod

[@fosty.]

Thanks. I got a small spark when I bypassed the solenoid. Then I jump started the battery and got a big spark! She's working now.

[@greyholcombjr.9623]

I have a 1991 JD LX176 I bought new. I have been experiencing this same issue for a long time. I was convinced I had a bad solenoid. Bought a new original JD brand solenoid and it did not not solve the issue. That was before I gained knowledge of multimeter testing. I tested the solenoid, and after several reps of turning the key to start , I got over 12 volts every time. Removed the starter assembly and bench tested it using jump cables and a screwdriver. Several reps of firing. I could not get the solenoid or starter to fail. Starter was throwing and spinning every time. I am really baffled. I put the battery and starter back in the mower, and the 1st turn of the key all I got was the click. Fired up after 3rd attempt. I never know when it will fire or fail. I know I don't have a safety switch issue. It was doing this before I decided to bypass the seat and brake safety switches. Battery is about a year old and I keep a tender on it most of winter. Battery connections are clean and tightly secured. Guess I'll give up for now. Test results indicate all is fine with starter and solenoid, but something sure ain't right.

[@robertmuir4496]

Thanks-Having the same crap going on.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Hi Robert, Did you get it figured out?

[@robertmuir4496]

@@Mechanical_Mind Ended up replacing the starter and the fuel pump works great. I hope I get five years out of them like the oem parts that came with the mower. Thanks for asking. Always great getting on youtube and finding people helping other people out. TY

[@Mechanical_Mind]

@@robertmuir4496 Good deal! Glad you got the issue resolved.

[@docoolstuff8732]

Z920 m happen to me today. Turn the key twenty times until it starts. Clunk clunk clunk. Starter wants to throw the gear but it won’t spin. Nice vid thank you 🙏

[@billbramlett5517]

Thanks for making it simple fixed my problem

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching

[@GlitchyMorpheus]

I have a 36 wright stander 1 and it would click when key was turned and engine would randomly start after 3rd turn of the key. But today it stopped starting only clicking now 😢

[@Mechanical_Mind]

I would guess that your starter was going out, and now it has gone out completely.

[@alengomez4818]

Thank you sir now I get to move my broken mower out my drive way!

[@jonasmorehouse738]

I have cubcadet 1554 and the start will sometimes get stuck in the up position on a hard start (and won't start). I then have to remove the started/solenoid to spin the gear back town, hook it back up and try again. This seems to be a bigger issue when the temperature is a little cooler. Could I just need a battery with more CCA rating? any thoughts would be helpful. Thank you.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Spray some wd-40 on the starter gear shaft. WD40 will not hurt anything in the starter. You need a battery tester to check the battery. It may show 12 volts or a little higher and still be bad. Most lawn mower batteries these days don't last over 3 years. It's rare to see one that is still good that is 5 yrs old.

[@heartlandregulatorsRDNR]

Have a John Deere 445, only clicks, jumped the solenoid and all you hear is starter spinning and not cranking the motor.....help

[@Mechanical_Mind]

First thing is to confirm that the battery is fully charged and that all the connections are clean and tight. Don't just look at them and assume they are good. Disconnect the connections and clean them with a wire brush and spray them wd40. I can't tell you many time customers spent $hundreds on parts when all it was was a bad or loose connection the entire time. It possible the starter and solenoid are bad but Id check all the connections first. Here is a video I made showing how they work and common problems with the starter. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3zHnZVsgNRrhMk Also I made a video on how to check your mowers charging system. I'll find that and send it

[@theregularguyqt9726]

I got a cub cadet blows a fuse every time i engage the blades. Now it won't start at all, just a little lite click from the ignition switch.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

My guess would be that the pto clutch bearings have gone bad which caused it to over heat the clutch and burn up the wiring going into the clutch.. Which then caused it to pop the fuse when you tried to engage the bladed. And now the bearings have seized up and will not let the engine rotate. Remove the pto clutch and inspect it.

[@jonasmorehouse738]

Thanks for the tips. It is due for oil change, air filter and fuel filter too. So im going to do all of that too. If none of this helps I'll try a battery. I've gone 2 summers on my battery, so most likely time for that too

[@Mechanical_Mind]

The starters do start to stick after time. I've saved many starters just by spraying some wd40 in them.

[@jonasmorehouse738]

@@Mechanical_Mind looks like this is a valve spacing issue....

[@dillonparker9018]

I did this trick. Works when I do that but I pulled solenoid and put brand new one and did they same thing. Is there something else I can look at ? Because seems like it’s not the solenoid. Still just clicks.

[@Mechanical_Mind]

Hey Dillon, First thing I always confirm is the battery condition and the connections. Make sure they are all clean and tight. If the start motor worked when you bypassed the solenoid but still clicks after installing a new solenoid, it could be that the new solenoid is bad. It happens to me all the time that new parts are bad right out of the box. So much so that it no longer a surprise. Also, double-check that your ground connections are all clean and tight and that you hooked up the solenoid wires correctly.

[@dillonparker9018]

Yes sir battery is brand new and no corrosion on wires to battery. Only a few year old mower. Always put up after cuts. I’ve tried two solenoids and both test good when I pull out and test with meter. I’m leaning towards maybe the control voltage may not be strong enough to hold the solenoid closed? I am going to check the wires from the key switch and see if they are broken or something. Does that sound like a possible solution?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

@@dillonparker9018 also check the ground wire going from the block to the frame. You could be getting a voltage drop from a loose connection there. It could also be the starter going out. What model mower is it?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

It's not popping the fuse?

[@m4rcolm]

Thank you

[@jduran111]

I just took my John Deere lawnmower out for the first time this year and the starter kept spinning but didn’t engaged to turn on the engine. I didn’t know what to do, I’m new to this. I started watching videos but none of them mentioned what I needed. You did, you mentioned exactly what as mine was doing. I took the cover apart to spray wd40 like you said. However, I found mouse nest right on the starter. I cleaned it, sprayed WD40 and it started like new. Thank you so much.

[@JonO387]

I got the mower started by using the screwdriver method you did. I put a new solenoid on it and it still won't start. Any ideas?

[@Mechanical_Mind]

First double check to make sure the battery is good, then check the 20A fuse, all ground connections and postive connections are clean and tight. Once all that is confirmed good Id next check the safety switches are engaged.

[@JonO387]

@@Mechanical_MindYou're the best. Thanks a lot!

[@alidaimasoum733]

Thank you br