What to do if a Briggs & Stratton engine starter will not turn over?

Answer 1

check battery and all connections to the battery and the starter

Answer 2

As stated make sure the battery is charged. Clean all connections including battery terminals, ground wire connection, soleniod connections and the lead to the starter. It could be that the battery, solenoid, or the starter is bad. It also could be one of the safety switches. I am assuming that this is a lawn tractor. There is a safety switch under the seat, one on the clutch brake pedal, and one on the PTO lever. Any one will prevent power to the starter. With the brake set turn the key to start and check for voltage at the starter terminal. If there is no voltage there check the solenoid. Again turn the key to start and check the voltage on the starter side of the solenoid. If you do have voltage at the starter it could be that the starter is bad. If not check the safety switches one at a time. This will involve disconnecting them. Starter can be repaired to some degree. You can replace the bushes and the bottom end plate. A new starter is around $100.00. If it were me, I would take a known good battery and hook jumper cables to it. Ground the - cable to the tractor and touch the + cable to the starter terminal. This will tell you if the starter will turn the engine. Another thought is that the pinion gear on top of the starter is plastic. They get worn and will bind on the flywheel. Take a look at the gear and see that it is free and away(below) the gear on the flywheel. I also assumed that the engine will turn over by hand.