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ccnd0618 · Sep 8, 2013, 11:17 AM

Our mower won't turn over and the lights won't go on. We have a brand new battery that we purchased 4 months ago, husband put a new spark plug & gas filter in it.

A few days ago the mower would run fine but then started to bog down and just die out. We let it rest for a little bit and it would start right up and a few minutes later it would do the same and just die out. Now it's not wanting to start at all. We have a seat switch on order to see if that is the cause but other than that we are at a loss.

Could the seat switch cause the mower to not even turn over or the lights go on?

Any help is appreciated.

hkstroud · Sep 8, 2013, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by ;

A few days ago the mower would run fine but then started to bog down and just die out. We let it rest for a little bit and it would start right up and a few minutes later it would do the same and just die out.

That sounds like either it is over heating, i.e. low oil, or it is starved for fuel. Check vent hole in gas cap. If vent hole is blocked, no air can get into tank so no fuel can flow to carb.

Our mower won't turn over and the lights won't go on.

Sounds like you have run the battery down with all the starting you have had to do. Jump start or charge battery.
Most of the time the lights on a riding mower only burn when engine is running.

Could the seat switch cause the mower to not even turn over or the lights go on?

Unlikely to be seat switch. Seat switch grounds electrical system and kills the engine if you fall off mower. Unplugging seat switch makes it ineffective.

ccnd0618 · Sep 8, 2013, 02:07 PM

Thank you for responding!

We changed out the fuse and put a 30 amp in it. Took out the battery and our charger shows it at a full charge.

When we put it all together and placed the battery back into the mower it doesn't do anything. No clicking, no trying to turn over, it's just dead.

I don't get it because like I said my husband put a new gas filter in, the oil looks good, and battery is at full life.

Husband thinks that maybe it could be a solenoid? Just seems like we are doing a whole lot of guessing at this point.

crigby · Sep 8, 2013, 02:24 PM

Hi,
Both the solenoid and the key switch are mechanical in nature and the most failed parts of the electrical system. The seat switch is also a commonly failed part as is the brake switch. Both of those switches are in a common path to the solenoid to enable cranking. Another common mistake is still having the deck turned on.
I agree with the gas cap part of HK's answer as well.
Peace,
Clarke

ccnd0618 · Sep 8, 2013, 05:57 PM

Thank you both for responding!

We ended up getting it started by giving it a jump. The battery charger showed it totally charged but it would crank over the mower. So my husband gave it a jump & it started right up. He is now thinking that the battery has a cell that is not properly holding a charge. We will see tomorrow when the mower sits over night & try it once again tomorrow.

Again, thank you!!