Mower wont turn off. I Need Immediate Assistance with My Wright Mower. What Do I Do

I Need Immediate Assistance with My Wright Mower. What Do I Do?

Your business is negatively affected when your commercial mower breaks down. A mower breakdown means lost productivity, a machine stuck on a customer property, and throwing a wrench in your lawn company’s production schedule.

It’s easy to panic when a mower shuts down, but there are better ways to handle the situation. Below are a few common scenarios and items to address first so you know how to handle this issue out in the field.

It won’t start.

Check the fuses by the back of the mower engine. Ensure brake and control switches are intact and the black battery ground cables are tight. Also, see if the mower battery is still holding a charge. One easy way to accomplish this is to turn the key to the run position and pull up the clutch switch. If you hear the clutch click, you know you have power.

The mower runs but won’t drive.

Check that the bypass valve is snug. The valve is a ? hex bolt sticking out of the head of the pump with a screw going through it. Otherwise, it’s likely that the belt has failed and need to be replaced, in which case you’ll want to tow the mower back to your trailer. Open the bypass valves to tow the mower and take it back to the shop.

The mower drives but the blades won’t turn on.

This can mean several things: the belt, the clutch, or the electrical system. If the engine cuts out when you pull the blade switch (PTO switch), then you know there is something wrong with the safety circuit. Check that the platform or seat switch is intact. If the engine keeps running when you pull the blade switch, either the belt is damaged or the clutch is worn or not getting power. If the clutch stops working only when hot, then it’s likely the clutch is beginning to fail.

These basic troubleshooting tips can get you out of a tight spot while mowing lawns. If nothing seems to be working even after going through these steps, call your local Wright Dealer right away. They are fully equipped to respond to your particular mower maintenance situation.

You can also call us at the factory at 301-360-9810. We would be glad to give you any guidance. Also, all of our mower owners’ manuals are available online. Please note: if you’re experiencing more than the tips above can address, an experienced technician will need to see your machine in-person.

Riding Lawn Mower Won’t Start After Running (How to Fix?)

If you have a large lawn to cut, owning a good sit-on mower is more than just a pleasant luxury, it’s a necessity. Beyond a certain size of lawn, it is no longer feasible to mow with a traditional push mower, but a sit-on version will let you finish the job in no time.

However, sit-on mowers – like other types of mower and just about any kind of power tool – can develop problems, and one is that it starts up fine at first but then won’t start up again after being used. Here, we will look at the question of what to do if a riding lawn mower won’t start after running.

The basic tenet of repair work

Before we start, let’s just remind ourselves of the proper procedure to follow when trying to repair any kind of machinery.

If you want to repair something, first, you need to identify the problem. To do this, you need to narrow down the search area to determine where the problem lies. By systematically eliminating all possibilities, you can locate the problem – and once you find it, you can fix it.

First question

In order to work out where the problem lies, you need to ask yourself some questions. The first question – a very obvious one – is why the lawn mower stopped in the first place. Did you stop it, or did it stop by itself?

This is a very important question to ask since it will help you determine where to start looking for the problem. If the mower won’t restart after stopping by itself, the fact it was running might not be relevant.

By this, we mean the fact that it won’t start after running might be coincidental – that it was running before might not be related to why it won’t start now, and the problem might lie elsewhere.

To begin with, we will look at why your mower won’t start if you stopped it yourself – because in this case, the problem is probably to do with the fact that it is hot and not something else.

Why it won’t start after running if you stopped it yourself

Problems with restarting a mower that has been shut off after running are almost always related to compression, i.e. the engine’s ability to build pressure on the cylinder.

Basically, when an engine runs, it heats up – and metals change size and shape when they are hot. The change is almost imperceptible, but even this tiny amount of difference can cause a problem.

Since the valve changes size, it may no longer be able to close 100% and so you won’t have the necessary pressure required to start the engine.

To see if this is the case, test the compression when cold and test the compression when hot. If you have more compression when cold, this is an indication that you have identified the problem. To rectify it, ensure that the valve lash is set correctly when cold.

The problem with this is that it is not an easy job either to test this or to fix it by yourself unless you know your way around engines. If you are not sure what you are doing, you might be better off asking a professional to check for you.

Another possibility is simply that the engine is overheating. This could happen if grass clippings clog the cooling fans. This is something that is easier to check, so you should eliminate this before calling in a mechanic.

Here’s a video of someone dealing with a similar problem.

What about if you lose power during mowing?

If your mower shuts off while you are mowing and won’t restart, you might suspect that it is a heat-related problem, but it could also be something else. Here are some other possibilities that you should try to eliminate.

Are you out of fuel?

So we’re starting with the most obvious, but in the interests of being systematic, check it.

Having problems restarting after running out of fuel and refilling?

Perhaps your mower stopped because it was out of fuel but after you refill it, it still won’t start. This is probably not a heat-related problem at all. Here, it is more likely that there was some debris floating in the fuel and was sucked into the fuel line when the fuel ran out.

To rectify this problem, ensure that the fuel lines are clean and free of debris. After removing any debris, it should start again.

Cutting tall grass or build-up of grass under the mower

It is possible that the grass you are cutting is too long and is clogging up the mower, causing the engine to stop. Try clearing out the cuttings and then adjusting the cutting height.

Similarly, if the mower becomes too clogged up by grass cuttings, the same may occur. Try clearing it out and trying again.

Old or dirty spark plugs

This is another obvious one to check. If your spark plugs are old or dirty, replace them. This will probably increase your mower’s performance instantly.

This is the kind of problem that might make you think the problem is because the mower has been running when actually the problem lies elsewhere. Make sure your spark plugs are in good condition, clean and properly connected to eliminate this possibility.

Dirty air filter

As with the spark plugs, this is the kind of problem that can make you think the problem is heat-related when it isn’t. If your mower loses power and then won’t restart, it might be due to dirty air filters.

This is a simple problem to check and fix. Make sure the filters are clean and in good working order and try again. If this was the problem, it should start up again easily.

Eliminate all possibilities to find the problem

If you have a problem restarting your mower after it has been running, the first thing to do is to eliminate all the simple issues.

If none of the more obvious problems are to blame, you could well have a problem with compression due to a valve. If this is the case, unless you are very confident around engines, you might need to think about calling a professional.

Riding Lawn Mower Won’t Start, No Clicking — Solutions When Your Riding Mower Does Nothing When You Turn The Key

If you buy something through our posts, we may get a small commission. Read more here.

Dealing with a non-starting riding mower can be incredibly frustrating. However, if you’re experiencing a situation where the engine doesn’t make any clicking sounds, there may still be hope for a simple fix without having to replace the mower just yet.

Below, our experts have put together the potential issues with a riding mower that won’t start or click and provide troubleshooting tips to help your riding mower work again.

How to Fix a Riding Lawn Mower That Won’t Start

“Should I call a professional when the riding mower does nothing when I turn the key?” The answer is: not always. You should be able to find out the problem with your tractor or mower yourself. But first, ensure you set the parking brakes.

Then check if the blade is still disengaged. Your riding mower won’t work otherwise.

Materials You Will Need

• Work gloves
• Safety goggles
• Multi-meter
• Screwdriver
• Wire brush

How a Riding Lawn Mower is Powered

Riding mower is powered by a four-cycle engine (intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust). Some mowers use gasoline as their fuel and a spark plug to combust it. Others are powered by diesel and require no spark plug. In either case, the engine runs the transmission and drive wheels, and rotates the cutting blades underneath the machine.

Like automobile car, riding mower requires to charge a battery, starter motor, and ignition switch. When you turn the ignition switch to the ‘Start’ position, 12 volt of direct current travels from the battery through the starter solenoid to the starter motor. This current also flows through a cable to the anti-afterfire solenoid in the engine

When you release the key to the ‘Run’ position, this DC of twelve (12) volts is then redirected. Instead of going to the starter and motor, it moves to the alternator and anti-afterfire solenoid only. Together, these parts help to charge the battery and start auxiliary power sources like headlights and power plugs.

If your high-quality zero turn mowers work fine, you would hear a clicking sound between the ‘Run’ and ‘Start’ positions. This implies that the starter solenoid is getting power from the battery. On the other hand, when you don’t hear a click from the engine, the starter has failed, or its coil isn’t getting power from the battery.

Although mowers differ from models, they all work on the same principles.

Check and Charge/Replace Dead Battery

Battery troubles are one of the most common reasons a mower won’t run or click. A corroded battery won’t start an engine, and neither will a drained battery, when you forget to turn off the safety switch. Corrosion can be a usual problem for used riding lawn mower models at cheap of 500 below, so make sure to check this when you buy one.

A service monitor on a mower can help you identify when you’ve got battery troubles. But without one, you can check the battery using a multi-meter by following these steps:

• Turn off the ignition system before accessing the battery.
• Set the multimeter to DC voltage
• Use the multi-meter’s red probe to touch the positive terminal and the black probe on the negative terminal.

If the multitester reads more than twelve (12) volts, the battery is good. Otherwise, it is weak, or dead and you’ve found the problem with your mower.

• Accessing the battery, which is usually under the driver’s seat.
• Connecting the charger clips to the battery terminals.
• Plugging the charger to a power outlet. The charger should work on at least 10volts to charge the battery. Still, a 12-volt charger is sometimes preferred.
• Disconnecting the charger reversing the steps above.
• Plugging the charger to a power outlet. The charger should work on at least 10volts to charge the battery. Still, a 12-volt charger is sometimes preferred.
• Replacing the seat and reconnecting the new battery in your mower correctly.

If a simple recharge doesn’t work, you need to replace the battery pack in the mower. Avoid a jump start mower to prevent damages to the on-board system

Check the Ignition Switch

The problem with your mower could be with the switches. When you start the engine and your riding mower does not forward nor reverse, your ignition switch’s contacts complete a circuit. This circuit is from a red to a white wire, which is on the B-terminal and S-terminal, respectively.

• Pull up the mower’s hood to access the ignition switch.
• Remove its cable harness.
• Remove the tabs to pull the ignition switch out of its slot.
• Turn the key to the start position and set the multi-meter to measure resistance, not voltage.
• Connect the black multi-meter probe to the B prong and the other to the S prong. These terminals are along each other’s diagonal at the bottom of the switch.
• Use the key to turn the ignition switch and start the engine. The resistance should display on the multi-meter when you do this.

The top-rated riding mowers should have good ignition switch measuring 0 ohms. This means its contacts complete the B and S terminal circuit and can send voltage to the solenoid. On the other hand, a damaged ignition switch will measure infinite resistance.

Other common issues you can experience with a damaged ignition switch include loose wiring and connections, corrosion, or spinning ignition. To fix this problem, check the ignition wiring for corroded, damaged, or loose wires

Inspect the Control Module

A control module is a printed circuit with resistors, relays, and a ground side that receive commands from the safety switches. If the sensors in the motor work correctly, a circuit module will also output a command to the starter through the solenoid. However, not every mower has one.

Depending on your model, a control module could be anywhere, even under the seat. And if you notice that your high-quality electric riding mower won’t start and no clicking comes from the device, or cranking doesn’t work, then this module could be faulty.

There are two ways to check the control module yourself:

• Wiggle test: Here, wiggle the red and black wires connected to the control module while you start the mower. If everything checks out fine and the wires are connected, visually check the printed circuit for water damage and loose connections. To save time, you may have someone help you with the wires in a wiggle test while you FOCUS on finding the issue.
• Main fuse check: Modules have internal or external fuses, and a blown fuse cuts out the supply from the battery. First, to check the fuse, remove its zip tie and then pull the fuse from its holder. If any element in the fuse is broken or there’s a fault in the ground connection, you should have it replaced. However, if you’re unsure, you can check for continuity using your multi-meter.

A good fuse should measure near 0 ohms. On the other hand, a blown fuse will measure infinite resistance.

Check Safety Functions

Every mower even the cheapest riding mower you can find in the market has in-built safety features. Typically, sensors or switches control these features, and they are routed through the control module. Once a detector activates a safety function, your mower won’t work as usual.

The main ones to check are the brake pedal switch, blade switch, battery connection, weight sensor (to make sure a driver is sitting before the mower works).

When you jump start the engine, you should press your brake pedal. If the brake pedal doesn’t work, then you need to inspect your brake detector.

• Remove the hood and air-duct screws.
• Pull off the air duct and take the fuel tank and filter out of the way.
• Pull the cable harness off the brake switch, noting the wiring.
• Using the multi-meter probes, touch both prongs that connect to the wiring of the brake detector.

If the brake switch is okay, the multi-meter should display 0 ohms of resistance. Replace this switch if you read infinite resistance from your multi-meter.

A riding mowers engages when the blade knob is switched off or the transmission isn’t set to park. To check the blade switch, our experts recommend to do the following:

• Take out the clutch lever mounting screws. The assembly should drop slightly when the screws aren’t in place.
• Note the prong’s wiring and then disconnect the blade switch’s cable harness.
• Using your multi-meter probes, touch both prongs to measure the resistance of the blade switch.

Like before, 0 ohms implies your blade switch is good, while infinite resistance means you need to replace it.

Motion detectors, switches, and sensors have in-built override functions. These functions are generally used for tests, and simply disconnecting a detector can cause an override. If you suspect your sensors are on an override, our team suggests to reconnect them before starting the device.

Replace Faulty Solenoid

Follow these steps to change a faulty solenoid:

• First, raise the seat to get to the battery. Then, disconnect the battery terminals, starting with the negative (colored black) and then the red
• Remove the battery from its slot. While at it, check for leaks or corrosion at the bottom and sides. Clean corrosion off the cable leads with a wire brush if they are still there after dusting.
• Disconnect the cable harness that’s connected to the seat’s detector.
• Pull off the battery box after removing its clips or screws.
• Note the wiring connected to the solenoid and then disconnect the cables in any order.
• Remove the mounting and tab both with a screwdriver.
• Remove the faulty solenoid and replace it with the new one.
• Finally, replace the seat, battery, and other parts.

While you can repair some solenoids, it’s often better to change them for longevity. In this way, you can still have the opportunity to place your riding lawn mower on retail in the long run given that the equipment is properly maintained.

Riding Mower Won’t Restart After Hitting Something?

The impact of hitting or running over something with your riding mower may cause damage to the flywheel key, keeping you from restarting the mower. This part can be purchased and replaced to get your mower back up and running. This is a page about what to do when your riding mower won’t restart after hitting something.

Questions

Ask a Question Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.

Question: Mower Won’t Restart After Hitting a Stump?

I have a Murry Select 17.5 HP 42 inch cut mower. I hit a stump and the mower stopped right away, my husband changed the blades yesterday, charged the battery last night and went to start it today and nothing. It doesn’t even try to start.

The kill switch from what we understand had been disconnected by the person we got it from, but if you touch the two wires together it causes a short that will turn the mower off. Please help.

Answers

There a rectangular shaped piece of metal down where the blades attach that has been sheared off more than likely. Don’t remember what they are called but the ex was always shearing them off.

That piece of metal is called a keyway and you can get them at your local hardware store. It is best to bring the old one with you because they come in all different sizes.

Question: Craftsman Riding Lawn Mower Won’t Start?

I accidentally ran over a hose. Now it won’t start. I removed the hose by cutting it away and pulling the rest of it out. Now if I try to start it, it clicked a couple of times and then nothing.

Answers

Maybe there is a safety switch, you need to locate that usually under the sweat. If not, it could be the flywheel key.

It sounds like the blades of the mover are locked or jammed. You may need to turn the mower over and remove the blades or see what is causing them to not turn again. You have tripped the emergency switch on the mower and it shut off automatically when you ran over the hose.

Now it has to be reset in order to work again. I know they have the switch under the seat of most movers and you should rises up the seat and check for the switch. Basically all you need to do is put it in again or move it to the opposite position and start the mower again.

Question: Riding Mower Won’t Restart After Hitting Something?

I hit an object with my riding mower and now it will not restart. Is there a blade safety switch somewhere that I can get to so I can restart the tractor. Thanks.

Answers

You might have damaged the flywheel key or the push-rod or the crankshaft.

Question: Husqvarna Riding Mower Won’t Start After Hitting Something?

It’s a Husqvarna riding mower. I ran over the metal gutter on the ground from the house. The engine will attempt to start and when I turn the blade on it won’t even turn over to start at all.

Like it’s nothing. The blades looks fine though. And also the belt does look a little loose. I am not sure if it’s suppose to be that way.

Answers

The tension of your belt should not be loose, make sure blade is not bent and clear of debris!

If the mower shut off after hitting something there is normally a safety switch under the seat that needs to be pushed to start it again. Plus before you can start the mower you need to clean under the mower, remove anything that is stuck in the blade and make sure the belts are all tight and in place.

Question: Craftsman Riding Mower Won’t Start After Hitting a Rope?

I hit a rope with my Sears Craftsman riding lawn mower. I got the rope out, but now it is dead it won’t start it does nothing.

Answers

You either broke or bent a piece. It will need to be serviced.

Question: John Deere Riding Mower Won’t Start After Hitting Barbed Wire?

I ran over some barbed wire with my John Deere D170 while mowing. The motor stopped. I unwrapped the wire from the far right spool.

Answers

You bent or broke something. You will need to get it serviced.

Did you try to check the reset switch under the seat to try and start it again? Normally if you run over something the motor shuts off to protect the machine.

Check to see where your reset switch is and press this. If this does not help you’ll need to take it in for service.

Question: Husqvarna Mower Won’t Start After Hitting a Rock?

I hit a rock with my Husqvarna riding lawn mower. Now it won’t start.

Answers

You broke or bent a piece. Now the mower cannot engage. You will need to take it in for servicing.

Make sure there isn’t something else caught underneath,to add more problems.

Question: John Deere Mower Leaking Gas and Stalling After Hitting Limb?

I have a John Deere 100 series riding mower. I hit a limb and the mower cut off. I disengaged it and now it’s leaking gas from somewhere under the air filter and it starts at first then stalls out.

Answers

This is a repair that will take a lengthy inspection. If you are not sure what you are doing, take it to be serviced. Gas is highly flammable.

Sounds like you have undoubtedly punched a hole in something that flows from the gas tank as I’m sure you realize.Stalling may be caused by an uneven flow of gas causing it to flood.

I would suggest you not try to start your mower until you find out where the gas leak is located and get it repaired as a spark at this time may cause a fire.

You could start with removing the air filter to see if you can spot the leak but it may just be flowing from somewhere else to the air filter. Be sure that any rags used are disposed of properly as they can remain flammable for a long time.

You may have to have it serviced at a repair shop just to be sure it is repaired properly as a limb can cause a lot of damage as I feel sure you have found out. Gasoline is just too dangerous to work with and repairs like this may not be easy to find.

It would be nice if you have a mechanic friend that could help you find the problem as sometimes it takes a second person to help check things like this.

Question: Craftsman Riding Mower Won’t Start After Hitting Something?

The blade of my tractor get struck with something and then it shut down. Now I tried to start it and it is just clicking and nothing happens.

Answers

You bent a piece and it is interfering with the starting. You or someone else has to take it apart and see what is bent or broken.

Question: Murray Riding Mower Stops When Lowering the Deck?

I hit a stump with my Murray Performance 21 HP 46 inch cut riding lawn mower. Now the tractor starts, but when I lower the deck to cut it shuts off. Any ideas as to what may have happened?

Answers

You must have bent something and now the deck wont lower. You will need to have it repaired.