I have a 10 year old MTD rider 17.5 HP 7 speed. I replaced the battery about a month ago and it started right up. I went to use it again and nothing. Turn the key and it doesn't make a sound. I tried turning the lights on and nothing. I think the battery is fine as I hooked up an inverter and a shop light to it and it came on fine. Could it be the ignition switch or??
Thanks in advance for any help.

I would first double check your battery connections. Then I would chceck safety/cutoff switches. The majority of the no start problems with these units are because of the safety interlock switches. They can become bent and or wedged, sometimes even insulated by grass or other material. I would check the swicth under the seat, the neutral switch and the mower disengaged switch that they are free moving. After those are verified, then I would check my ignition switch.


Good Luck,
Morrowrj

Update - I hooked a jumper to the starter and it cranked like crazy, but would not start. I'm guessing because of the ingintion or the seat being up shorts something out?

Morrowrj - thank you. I pretty much feel like a moron now. The blade disengage was one notch off up all the way. Pulled it all the way up and fired right off.. . and to think yesterday I went looking at new mowers. Whew! Now I can go put the shroud back on and have cold one. Thank you thank you!

Glad to help. How do you think I knew the answer..

My mower is the same type but sometimes I get a faint clicking sound. It stopped all of a sudden as I was mowing my yard. I replaced the ignition switch. I don't get power to my starter or lights.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by michaelathalia

My mower is the same type but sometimes I get a faint clicking sound. It stopped all of a sudden as I was mowing my yard. I replaced the ignition switch. I don't get power to my starter or lights.

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Check your inline fuse