Murray riding mower wont start again

ezthinkr · 05-14-2011, 09:18 PM

We have a bit of a puzzle here.

It starts with a 12.5 HP 40” Murray riding mower that sat unused for about 3-years under shelter.

I re-charged the old battery and it started the first time after draining the old gas from the fuel line at the carburetor, re-filling the gas tank with new gas and adding a squirt of starting fluid on the air filter. Some sneezing at first that settled down after a few moments, so I engaged the blades and ran it around for a few minutes. I heard some clattering from the blades hitting the metal safety cover, so I shut it down and bent the metal under the cover to stop that.

Now comes the puzzle. It won’t restart. Nothing. Not even a click from the solenoid being engaged if that were to happen like with larger engine automobiles.

Since it seems electrical, I have replaced the ignition switch, the solenoid, the battery, and the 15A fuse. Still nothing. I even tried to bypass the seat safety switch thinking that was causing a break. Nothing.

Before I get a meter and try to track the cause step-by-step from a rough electrical diagram, I want to toss this out for your feedback. The cause could be something obvious to one of you and overlooked by me. I welcome your feedback. Thanks much!

mickey cassiba · 05-14-2011, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezthinkr

We have a bit of a puzzle here.

It starts with a 12.5 HP 40” Murray riding mower that sat unused for about 3-years under shelter.

I re-charged the old battery and it started the first time after draining the old gas from the fuel line at the carburetor, re-filling the gas tank with new gas and adding a squirt of starting fluid on the air filter. Some sneezing at first that settled down after a few moments, so I engaged the blades and ran it around for a few minutes. I heard some clattering from the blades hitting the metal safety cover, so I shut it down and bent the metal under the cover to stop that.

Now comes the puzzle. It won’t restart. Nothing. Not even a click from the solenoid being engaged if that were to happen like with larger engine automobiles.

Since it seems electrical, I have replaced the ignition switch, the solenoid, the battery, and the 15A fuse. Still nothing. I even tried to bypass the seat safety switch thinking that was causing a break. Nothing.

Before I get a meter and try to track the cause step-by-step from a rough electrical diagram, I want to toss this out for your feedback. The cause could be something obvious to one of you and overlooked by me. I welcome your feedback. Thanks much!

Prolly a dumb question...but did you check the oil level?
Oil level switch in most of 'em these days...

bluebird5 · 05-14-2011, 11:46 PM

also do you have the blades engauged when you are trying to start it?

Otherbill · 05-15-2011, 11:15 AM

remove you plug wire and try to turn the engine over by hand. if you can remove the spark plug, cover the plug hole with you thumb or a fat finger, turn the engine over and check for cylinder suction, unless you have a pressure guage. hopefully you didn't cause engine damage.