I have a Craftsman DYT4000 riding mower. The battery is less than a year old. The starter is one-and-a-half yrs old, the solenoid in brand new. When I try and start it, it acts like it wants to turn over, but just can't. It may get one revolution, then stops. I can hear the starter struggling. After several attempts, the starter will get hot, even may start to smoke and smells AWFUL. I have taken the starter apart, but I don't know how to tell is it's gone bad.

Is this starter already bad? If so, can anyone tell me how a nearly new starter goes bad so quickly and why?

On a similar note, I have had nothing but troubles with this mower. This is my second starter, I'm on my third solenoid and my third battery... and the mower is less than 4 yrs old. Has anyone else out there had these kind of woes with their Craftsman riders? Or did I just get a lemon?

Thanks in advance!

Hi,
If the starter smoked, then it is probably ruined. Heating to the smoking point almost always means destruction.
Is this a V-Twin Briggs engine. If so, a good chance exists that the valves seated requiring adjustment. They adjust at a snug 0.005" on each. Afterwards you could attempt starting again, but don't be surprised at a weak or dead starter.
Peace,
Clarke

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