I've already swapped out the solenoid. No luck. Battery is good. I "think" I checked all the ground connections and safety switches. Problem is when the key is turned on the engine turns once... then slows to a stop... it may go over again.. but it won't go long or fast enough to start... RRRrrr... pause... RRRRrrr... pause... no start. Any thoughts? This problem occurred after the tractor was running and ran out of gas. I checked and the fuel line is clear... Spark pluggs cleaned, air filter good... I think if the engine turned long enough it would start... in fact it did start once... and ran great... but then it would not start again... :confused:

How do you know the battery is good?

I checked it with a volt / ohm meter and it registered 12.5 V. It is a battery that is only 1 season old and I verified the acid levels in the cells were good. Also, when I attempt to jump start the tractor the symptoms are the same... so I figured the battery was not the issue.

Ok, does sound like its good then...
Is it a over head valve engine perhaps? Or L head?

I'm not sure what kind of engine it is... I'm a novice :) . But I can tell you it is 2 cylinder if that helps. I can dig up the part number next time I have a chance too.

Usually the name brand will be stamped on the engine itself... like most briggs will have a sticker in the middle of the flywheel shroud, or right on the shroud. Sounds like a briggs... apposed twin?

I think you have a "new-but-no-good" solenoid. But, it could be a starter problem or a wiring problem. Here are a few tests you can try.

WARNING!! THESE BY PASS ALL SAFETY FEATURES. BE SURE YOU ARE IN NEUTRAL AND THE BLADE IS OFF.

Starter test. - using your car battery, put jumper cable from (-) terminal on engine block. Touch jumper from (+) terminal to post on starter. Starter should run continiously while cable is on post. If not bad starter or starter ground. Bet on starter.

Solenoid test - this needs good battery. If in doubt connect car battery with jumper cables. Using a jumper cable - a third if boosting battery - connect terminals on solenoid. Starter should run continuously while terminals are jumped. If it does, solenoid is probably bad but run battery wire test to be sure. If it doesn't,'t check wire from solenoid to starter for dirt, breaks, anything that would interfere with operation.

Battery wire test. Connect (+) side of battery to bettery terminal of solenoid with jumper cable. Check to make sure all interlocks are in "start" position then try to start with key. If starter runs continuously, then cable or connections are bad from (+) terminal to solenoid.

This should diagnois the problem. Good luck, Ken

So did you ffigure out your issue with that last response ? I have the same issue
And am at my witts ends..

You could have a bad starter. Or like the other guy said a new but messed up solenoid.

P.s. if you try the last guys starter test... dont have the truck running when you jump it off you have a good chance of completely messing starter up and/or solenoid.

Um, Check That The Valves Are Adjusted Properly, No One Said What It Had Done Leading Up To This, Or Perhaps I Read So Much That I Forgot It.

Check the fuse located near the battery if there is one...

Sorry I have been gone for a while. (got addicted to an online game :P ).

The above commenter is probably right. If you have a engine with a an over head valve you may need to take off the cover of it and check the clearance. Since I am short on time I found a page regarding this that explains how to do this well. Briggs and Stratton Commercial Power.

Also before doing this remove the belts from the engine to ensure the engine is free and cleared from any kind of disturbance. After you get the engine running then install belts and adjust from there. Good Luck!

I think mowerman is rite check the valves are adjusted rite

What you want to do is jump the starter take the neg- and connect it to the frame of the tractor with a good connection like a bolt. Connect the pos+ to the starter then connect the other end of the jumper cables to the power supply. You will notice a spark and you will hear the motor turn over or attempt to turn over " MAKE SURE YOUR KEY IS IN THE RUNNING POSITION " if the starter is bad it will not start if it works it will start right up then you can work backwards right to the solenoid and to the ignition. When you test a solenoid take a screw driver and touch the terminals together " completing the circuit " and it should start right up. Hope this helps , LEW

I have a 20 hp Briggs motor on a MTD yard machine riding mower and I was having problems starting it but now that I got it started it vibrates badly and smoking badly, what could b the problem! I changed battery and solenoid to get it started but during that process I fear I've done something to motor

HI! I change the head gasket of my lawn tractor and now won't start. It crank but don't start..

I change the head gasket to my lawn tractor( crastman LT 2000 ans now won't start.

Yea I think it's a bad starter or selenoid... only thing I can think of

My lawn tractor with a newly charged battery that sears checked and said was good, started once then did not restart or even click the 2nd time