How to Check a Lawnmower Starter
- 1). Insert the ignition key into the lawnmower's dashboard. Turn the key to the "On" or "Start" position but do not start the mower.
- 2). Raise the hood of the mower and release the catch. Raise the hood the remainder of the way until it is in the upright position.
- 3). Lift the seat forward to locate the battery, if it is not with the engine, along with the starter. The starter is cylinder-shaped with a gear to hold the drive belt on one side of the cylinder. On the same side as the gear there is a post that extends from the cylinder.
- 4). Find the electrical posts on both the starter and the battery. The wires attached to these are what sends the charge from the battery to the starter to power the initial start up of the mower.
- 5). Examine the position of the red and black cables on both the starter and battery. The black cable is the ground wire and is connected to the negative post. The red wire is the hot wire and is the positive line connected to the positive post.
- 6). Remove the end of each cable one at a time. Brush the posts with the brush to remove any dirt and dust. Cleaning the posts ensures a good electrical current running from the post to the wire. Reattach each cable as you complete each step.
- 7). Set up a pair of jumper cables so that the ends are not in proximity to each other. Make sure the positive and negative ends are not crossed.
- 8). Pick up the end of the jumper cables near the battery. Connect the end of the black negative cable to the negative post. Connect the other end of the black jumper cable to the metal frame of the lawnmower. This creates a grounding wire to avoid shorting out the battery and starter if the starter is still working.
- 9). Locate the red positive connector at the same end as the black connector you just used. Connect this red end to the positive terminal of the battery.
- 10
Pick up the other red end of the jumper cable. Touch this end to the positive bolt found on the side of the starter. Using the jumper cable as a direct link to the battery power, the starter should turn over as if you used the key. If the starter fails to turn over, replace the starter.
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