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lumbee4live · Jul 30, 2009, 01:06 PM

I have a B&S 14hp vanguard model 29477. The mower was running fine yesterday and today for about 20min today would always fire up when I turned the key. But today my wife was cutting grass and ran over a little stump where their use to be a bush and it got stuck up under the deck so she cut it off came got me I seen the problem so I just picked up the deck and moved it over the stump then I tried to crank it and nothing happens. All I get is clicking from the solenoid so I started to try and rule out stuff I tried to jump the solenoid and I get nothing at all but a click I don't know where from I think its was coming from the connection. I turn the key I still get clicking. So then I tried to jump it from the pos. side of battery to the side of started and all it does is click once and that's it. It will not even attempt to turnover any help thanks.

crigby · Jul 30, 2009, 05:09 PM

Hi,
You left the third "7" out of the model. First is the deck turned off; some machines with that engine have a relay that will click?
What do the battery terminals look like, any white-blue corrosion on them, especially the positive. If so, they must be cleaned.
There is no reason other than a seized engine that jumping to the starter itself should not turn the engine over, if done properly from a good battery. Does not mean it will start, but it will turn.
Check what I have said and get back.
Peace,
Clarke

lumbee4live · Jul 30, 2009, 06:54 PM

Yea the deck is disengaged and if there is a relay do you know where about it would be located because I haven't seen it. Also the terminals are a little corrosion on them but that would bother it from not cranking if I jump at the starter would it? And I'm almost positive the engine isn't seized because it has oil and the motor will rotate if I turn it on the top.

crigby · Jul 31, 2009, 06:59 AM

Hi,
If you can physically rotate engine, you are fine there. I am in the dark about the relay; you did not get the engine number right ( though I knew what was missing) and I have no idea what it is attached to.
The terminals should be cleaned when dirty to assure the connection. Jumping from a separate source with both an established ground and positive connection should rotate the engine. It takes a full circle of a circuit! For instance jumping from the positive side of the machine's own battery to the starter depends on the ground from the battery having a good connection.
Peace,
Clarke

lumbee4live · Jul 31, 2009, 07:04 AM

OK ill get them connections cleaned. Also all the safety switches have been bypassed so I don't think it could be a switch. The motor is a 294777 thanks for noticing that because I couldn't pull up nothing on the B&S website until I put in the third 7. How would I know if the starters screwed up?

crigby · Jul 31, 2009, 07:43 AM

Hi,
Easiest way is to dismount it and test it with a known good battery (or jumper box) connected to the mount point for ground and the positive terminal. It should spin freely and "kick" the pinion up. A bad pinion can mesh with the flywheel ring gear badly and jam. A weak battery or starter will not make the pinion rise on the helix aggressively.
Over the years I have seen many things done to starters. I saw someone with a bad solenoid beat on the starter with a hammer thinking that it was doing something because the solenoid would work every now and then. He eventually broke the magnets and ruined it. I have seen multiple people clamp it in a vise to service the pinion. They too broke the magnets.
Peace,
Clarke

lumbee4live · Jul 31, 2009, 07:51 AM

I got all the connections cleaned and its still clicking at the solenoid. When I jumped the starter I used my truck and hooked up the cables and all it did was click.

crigby · Jul 31, 2009, 03:03 PM

Hi,
I would dismount the starter and test. Only requires a 7/16" wrench for the cable and 1/2" socket (or maybe a T-30, I think) to remove the two bolts on the mount flange. Then it can be tested by itself. I use the mount flange for ground and, of course, the cable terminal for positive. It will actually turn hooked up backwards, but that is also the direction it turns, backwards.
Peace,
Clarke

lumbee4live · Jul 31, 2009, 06:42 PM

I took the starter off and I think its shot. It will not turn and think that you suppose to be able to turn the top of the starter with your hand but I can't and when I try I hear screeching sounds so I think I need a new one.