I have 15 year old Murray Ultra Lawn Tractor. It has been wonderful. However, now it seems there is something wrong with the starter. It gets fire, but when it tries to turnover it makes a very high pitch "whirring" sound and won't engage. I replaced the spark plug a week or two ago and it has gas. Like I said, it fires, it just doesn't seem like the starter is engaging. It would seem to be a starter or solenoid problem but I don't know how to tell which is which. I have never had a problem with starting this mower except for a dead battery or spark plug. Please help.

Well You Say It Fires?? If The Starter Is Not Engaging, I Would Have To Assume You Are Referring To "fires" As The Starter Making The High Pitched Sound. If This Is The Case, You Need To Replace The Top End Of The Starter , Or More Difficult , Replace The Ring Gear On The Bottom Side Of The Flywheel. You Should Be Able To Remove The Dust Shield From The Top Of The Starter And See The Gears On The Upper End, You Can Also See If There Are Teeth Broken Off The Flywheel. If There Are Teeth Missing Off The Flywheel Gear, (ring Gear), You Could Move The Flywheel By Hand And Try Starting.

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Originally Posted by need2mow

I have 15 year old Murray Ultra Lawn Tractor. It has been wonderful. However, now it seems there is something wrong with the starter. It gets fire, but when it tries to turnover it makes a very high pitch "whirring" sound and won't engage. I replaced the spark plug a week or two ago and it has gas. Like I said, it fires, it just doesn't seem like the starter is engaging. It would seem to be a starter or solenoid problem but I don't know how to tell which is which. I have never had a problem with starting this mower except for a dead battery or spark plug. Please help.

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Mowerman2468,

Thanks. I will pull off the cover and look and yes, that is what I mean. It seems like the gears aren't engaging. I'll bet that there are teeth missing. It sounds just awful sort of like a high pitched "nails scratching on black board." I will let you know know what I find out. If I do need parts, where do you suggest I order them?

I Hope That You Found Your Problem. To Obtain Parts, Get These 3 Things From Your Engine:

1. Model #
2. Type #
3. Serial #
Then Go To Your Nearest Briggs And Stratton Dealer, Or Some Auto Parts Houses And Hardware Stores Will Have Parts For Lawnmowerw.

Just Another Thought, If You Changed Your Battery, Did You Hook It Up Correctly?

The missing teeth are on the starter bendix. The bendix gear is usually softer material than the flywheel so it gets sacrified. They are often nylon teeth. The replacement bendix is cheap and easy top install once the starter is removed.

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Originally Posted by need2mow

I have 15 year old Murray Ultra Lawn Tractor. It has been wonderful. However, now it seems there is something wrong with the starter. It gets fire, but when it tries to turnover it makes a very high pitch "whirring" sound and won't engage. I replaced the spark plug a week or two ago and it has gas. Like I said, it fires, it just doesn't seem like the starter is engaging. It would seem to be a starter or solenoid problem but I don't know how to tell which is which. I have never had a problem with starting this mower except for a dead battery or spark plug. Please help.

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OK, I was able to get the cover off and what I think you are calling the ring gear has some teeth missing on the fly wheel. How do you remove that? Do you take a socket to that bolt at the top? It is very large, bigger than any sockets I have. If so, is there a trick? It spins so I would think it may be hard to remove it. Finally there is a little plastic gear at the top of the starter that is not in the best shape either. Is there a trick to getting that off? I removed the starter, but I can see how to get that little white plastic gear off. Further the brushes flew out with the springs and was a bear to get back on the shaft. Is there a trick to that if I have to take it a part again?

Thanks much for all the help!

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Originally Posted by need2mow

OK, I was able to get the cover off and what I think you are calling the ring gear has some teeth missing on the fly wheel. How do you remove that? Do you take a socket to that bolt at the top? It is very large, bigger than any sockets I have. If so, is there a trick? It spins so I would think it may be hard to remove it. Finally there is a little plastic gear at the top of the starter that is not in the best shape either. Is there a trick to getting that off? I removed the starter, but I can see how to get that little white plastic gear off. Further the brushes flew out with the springs and was a bear to get back on the shaft. Is there a trick to that if I have to take it a part again?

Thanks much for all the help!

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To remove the flywheel it is easiest to use an impact wrench. To remove the ring gear, either grind, or drill the brads that hold it to the flywheel. They make a special tool to remove the flywheel, even though you can remove it without the special tool, be careful. Where the large nut is on the top is the shaft. And you do not want to damage that.

Your bendix gear is probably shot take the starter off and look at the gear that pushes forward to contact or engage the fly wheel usually this gear is of softer material and is an easy fix

This isn't a job for a amuture.you should take it to a shop and have it done.
Unless you have a air compressor,some impact tools and a gear puller laying around.