My electric starting toro lawn mower will crank up and the gear spins good and strong. But it won't go down to the fly wheel gear. I replaced the nut and gear. The cork screw that comes up from starter motor looks OK. That's a 65 dollar part. I don't know if the top of the cork screw gear is slightly worn, or if there is a trick to this repair? It's a 22 inch push mower, with wheel drive model no. 20031 serial no. 240122781 this is a simple unit I can't get it to work, the inner nut gets pulled down cork screw to engage gear to fly wheel. I'm afraid to replace the cork screw and find out its not the problem. Is there a fix or trick to this or is this a common defect I can turn the nut and gear by hand and it spins down manually and then I can start it up, but it won't go down automatically

Hi,
The piece you refer to as a corkscrew is in fact a helix, helical shaft or spiral shaft. Though the proper name will make it work or not any better. Is there a possibility that the electrical source(battery) could somehow be hooked backwards? This is by far the most common cause of your symptoms. Other possibility is that the mating part is stripped engough to prevent the gear from moving. The machine was in fact only made in 2004 and has the Tecumseh LEV120 engine (Low Emmission Vertical 12 cu. in.) The starter could be a headache at times. Generally the drive parts of the starter were to be kept clean and dry (lubes attract dirt) to get them to function properly. If you have happened to grease or lube them, remove the starter, invert it to keep from contaminating the electrical connections and internal parts, spray the shaft, pinion and other parts clean with aerosol brake or electrical contact cleaner and reinstall. Then try it. Manual at Toro at:
Toro |
Peace,
Clarke