I tried to start my snowblower today and it wouldn't start. I decided to try the electric start, plugged it in, hit the start button and all it made was a spinny grinding noise. Unplugged it, and tried to start it manually with pull cord again. The cord would not pull without lots of effort and same grinding noise while spinning could be heard when it does move. Now pull cord barely pulls out at all. What did I do??

I tried to start my snowblower today and it wouldnt start. I decided to try the electric start, plugged it in, hit the start button and all it made was a spinny grinding noise. Unplugged it, and tried to start it manually with pull cord again. The cord would not pull without lots of effort and same grinding noise while spinning could be heard when it does move. Now pull cord barely pulls out at all. What did i do?!?!
It may need oil to lubricate the pistion(s)

Before you ever start your snowblower you should always check your oil. Does it have oil? When was the last time you changed your oil? You should change your oil once a year before snow fall. When you check your oil touch it with your fingers and feal it. Does it feal gritty? If so you way have seized your engine. You starer motor might not be working or that the teeth are grinded. You should check all this things and get back to me and I will see is your engine is gone. When you change the oils see if you can pull the cord with less ease but don't pull it to hard. This will give you a good sine if it does. I look forward to hear back from you.

I tried to start my snowblower today and it wouldnt start. I decided to try the electric start, plugged it in, hit the start button and all it made was a spinny grinding noise. Unplugged it, and tried to start it manually with pull cord again. The cord would not pull without lots of effort and same grinding noise while spinning could be heard when it does move. Now pull cord barely pulls out at all. What did i do?!?!
It actually sounds to me as if the starter has perhaps gotten hung up on the flywheel/ringgear and is preventing the cord from being used. Check to be sure this isn't the case and also address the possibility that the engine is seized.

It actually sounds to me as if the starter has perhaps gotten hung up on the flywheel/ringgear and is preventing the cord from being used. Check to be sure this isn't the case and also address the possibility that the engine is seized.
Yep.

My friend works with these problems all the time he says to diconnect all elactrical power to all parts of blower and take of headers and check all interior parts for dirt or signs of jamming but first check the starter for the electric start.

My friend works with tese problems allthe time he said to check for dirt or signs of jamming in cylinders but chaeck the starter first that might be shot or the fly wheel gears might be grinding down

I tried to start my craftsman snow thrower model 536.881501. It was turning over but would not start. Tried several times with electric start. Now when I press the electric start it is making a horrible grinding noise and does nothing. What do I do?