L100 Series

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How to Identify and Fix Common Gardening Problems ?

We provide a variety of viewpoints on how to identify and fix common gardening problems. Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced gardeners :

If you pull the cord and hear your engine turn over, but your mower is not starting, the most common reasons for this are low fuel, a broken gas valve, or a bad choke fault. A broker spark plug could also be the culprit. You may also have to change the fuel pump if it does not get fuel to the ignition system.
If the riding mower makes a heavy clicking or a rapid clattering sound when the key is turned to the start position, there is a problem with the battery or a part of the starting circuit. The clicking noise comes from a part called the starter solenoid.
Touch the metal shaft of a screwdriver to both of the large terminals at the same time. If the engine turns over and starts, the solenoid is bad and should be replaced. If the starter motor does not run, the motor itself is probably defective.
There are several reasons a Craftsman lawnmower may turn over but not start, with the most common ones including the following: Lack of fuel. Dirty air filters. Electrical issues in the ignition system or the starter motor.
Use Carburetor Cleaner

Fortunately, you can generally do this without even taking the carburetor out of the engine. Start by purchasing some commercial lawnmower carburetor cleanerOpens a new window, which comes in a simple spray can and will make it easy to clean the inside and outside of the carb.

A single “click” sound comes from the engine compartment or from under the car. This could mean that the solenoid is trying to engage but that the internal components are stuck and unable to work properly. Repeated “clicking” sounds usually indicate a dead battery.
Signs of a Bad Starter Solenoid

Sometimes, repeatedly trying the ignition can produce a result, but that`s not guaranteed. It usually means there`s a faulty connection in the solenoid. Another common symptom is a single clicking noise when you turn the key.

A Dirty Carburetor Can Cause a Lawnmower To Start Then Die

By far, the most common issue that causes a stalled motor is a dirty carburetor. The carburetor on your engine is the thing that draws in air and mixes it with the fuel. Contrary to what the movies might make you think, gasoline itself is not very flammable.

A dirty carburetor is the most common cause of a lawn mower that starts and then dies. Other possible causes include: Stale/Dirty Gas. Faulty Choke.

Discover Relevant Questions and Answers for Your Specific Issue

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

I have had a poulan pro 550 series push mower for almost 1 year at the end of the season last year the mower would start briefly and then stop. i have cleaned out the air filter and that did not help.the mower started, i made one revolution around the yard 3/4th of the way the mower quit. I then primed the mower it started then quit and now it will not start at all. Does anyone have any suggestions of what to do. Thanks
ANSWER : There is a little spring that works the carburetor arm. If that popped off then the mower will not run.

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My p.t.o. wont start my blades the engine runs but the blades wont start when i pull up the p.t.o on
ANSWER : Belt needs tightening or its brocken.Check first.

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Lawn mower cranck but wont start…
ANSWER : Since you already checked for spark and air I would drain all the fuel out of it and check that fuel for water. Over time some lawn mowers end up with contaminated fuel. You can see the water sitting on the bottom of the fuel if you let it stand for a bit in a small plastic bowl.

Be sure to empty and dry out you fuel can as well. Especially if the mower stopped running right after a refuel. Which is a good sign your gas can is contaminated too.

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I have trouble starting a toro walk behind mower
ANSWER : All, I thought my carb was shot, so I replaced it. Still, start but no run (and had to use starting fluid). THEN!!! I noticed the spring to the “rev limiter” (just below and towards rear of carb) was not “tight”. The stupid bracket that holds the end of that spring had been bent down ~1/16″ and that caused all this heartache. CHECK YOUR REV LIMITER!!!

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Mower won’t start. Toro mower..engine won’t turn over. Cleaned sparkplug…checked air filter..weather cool. Followed instructions for cold engine…prime witrh three pushes of the bulb..wnon’t even hint at a start..
ANSWER : Something everyone over looks is oil. Did you check the oil? You seemed to mention everything else but. If you have a low oil switch with low oil it will not start

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Engine runs, blades turn but mower will not move
ANSWER : Look in front of back tired on frame, not deck, there are. 2 rods, 1 on each side, rods look like a L, it’s going through a little eye opening, push it backards, mower should move. If rod is pulled through opening and locked in, mower will not move..its a safety. Feather on mower

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My 300z riding lawn mower zero turn starts but stalls when mowing the grass, please tell me what it could be?
ANSWER : Dirty carb possibly or the governor has failed

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My Z5426 won’t start. When I pull out the choke and turn the key, gas starts leaking out of the exhaust system just before it gets to the muffler. Last time it did start, it ran really rough. So, I turn off the engine and then tried to restart and that’s when I noticed the fuel leak.
ANSWER : Maybe bad fuel, fuel line leaking, flooding of the carburetor, since it did start and ran rough I am assuming that the gas was left set and more then likely this gummed up the carburetor, you will have to clean/rebuild it. If you have a can of carburetor clean you may be able to spray that into there and clean it up, I would not choke it to start it as it sounds like it got/is flooded/ing. Good Luck Tim

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