Lawn Tractor mower wont start?

Question

I have a MTV tractor mower with a Tecumsuh engine that after winter storage will not start. I put a new battery in it and still only get a "click" when I turn the key. It sounds like the sound of a pickup starter that has a bad solenoid and the starter gear will not then kick in. The starter does not engage the starter gear. There is 12 volts out of the battery to a sort of regulator switch and there is only 7 volts coming out of that switch, which means that there is only seven volts coming to the starter. Is this correct? Should the starter be getting 12 volts? If I take the starter off, can Auto zone or another auto parts store check it for me. We have very limitted small engine repair places in Wyoming. Thanks

Answer 1

take a long screw driver and touch both wires from solennoid if it starts its the generator

Answer 2

Batteries are designed to supply a specific voltage and a specific amperage called CCA (cold cranking amps)

If your "new" battery is too small, it may not supply enogh power to turn the starter under load.

Also, if it is a "new" battery that was dry and you added elecrolyte to it, it needs to be charged for 6 hours or so.

Don't start replacing parts untill you KNOW the battery is not the problem.

Answer 3

If you have that much voltage drop you need to clean the cable ends.
Clean both cables on the battery. The ground at the frame. Both cables on the solenoid & the one on the starter.
Post your results or email me.

Answer 4

Check the thingy that constricts the air-flow to the carb, and make sure its not in a positive or negative gear --- wink.