Watch my video on how to fix a "hard to start" lawn tractor here; kzread.info/dash/bejne/hmWV0NqdfrrMZbw.html Watch my video on how to remove a seized lawn tractor wheel here; kzread.info/dash/bejne/ammWxdCrZa2rks4.html

I have been watching this channel from the beginning. The best thing I like about it, you don’t waste time, get to the point an no time spent being funny. Great info found here.

Thank you! I thought my battery cables were fine until I cleaned them and saw that they were not silver but copper! I put it all back together making sure the connections were absolutely tight and bingo, no more clicking, it stared right up! Thanks again for taking the time to help us.

Thank you for the informative video. My Zero turn was doing exactly what you showed and thankfully it was just the battery. You saved me about $200 and time I would have lost not mowing, taking it the shop, and time it would have taken shop to look at then repair it!

Thank you very much for you video. I had the same issue and couldn't figure it out until you said to use a jump box. Started right up. Going to get a new battery. I appreciate you.

Just followed your instructions; mower is up and running. Thank you for making this video.

Just want to say thank you & may God bless you Always!!! Keep up the good work.

Yeh this is problem is so common. I've had two in this week with this issue. Nice vid and very good info👍

Thank you. Nice clear explanation with no hype, promotion, dark glasses, shaky camera or any assumption that we know already. Refreshing and informative. Big thumbs up.

That is a great tip and I have to buy a battery for one mower and check the battery on another one to see if is dead also. Out of three mowers I only have one which will run and I need all of them going since it is now Summer and the grass is steadily growing here in Arkansas. Thanks for sharing this tip and it is helpful for others like myself with mowers to mow our lawns and sometimes other peoples lawns also.

All great tips and recommendations to keep your lawn tractor's electrical system working properly. Thanks Don, and have a great up-coming weekend.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

5th KZread video I watched. Fixed my problem. Thank you.

Yes, that has happened to me in the Spring when the battery gets weaker, usually an initial battery jump and its good for the cutting season... But, when you have a bad battery you either jump start it before every use, or get tired of that routine and finally buy a replacement battery. Thank you for your vids, we learn a lot. I would like to see you show us the "whole electrical system" on a say Craftsman LT2000 (or similar) that includes all the safety switches for the purpose of troubleshooting. That shouldn't be a problem to show with erasing markers and a white board. It would be very very interesting to view friend. That would be a good reference to post in one's garage. Making prints of it and selling them would be a good idea, a reference for some people to buy. Simplify!

Thanks for this informative video. I followed your advice and my tractor started perfectly having clicked until the battery was failing….. 👍👍

Make sure you remove and clean your Ground Connection of the Negative Cable to the Tractor Frame. This applies to all Batteries.

The best on KZread. By far!

When I'm done with my tractors in the fall I take the batteries out of the tractors and put them on battery tenders. I've had one last 11 years and the other is at 7 years and still working fine. Along with cleaning the battery terminals. Especially the positive ones.

Nice, simple explanation, good video Don!

That NOCO Genius 3500 is a great little charger. On batteries that have sat and test as bad, I put that G3500 on "Repair" right off the bat. (The directions say charge fully first, but it works better if you don't. The newer ones limit repair time to 4 hours.) It may take a few days but it has the ability to bring back batteries that I used to give up on and bring them up to 100% health. It can take a good while (9 days on one Marine starting battery I had) and not all batteries can be revived. I think I'm batting about .750 on the battery revivals with the G3500. Thanks for posting this video. I have this problem on a Poulan Pro but it's not the battery, or the solenoid, or the starter. I'm about to go get elbow deep in the thing and figure out which switch, hidden connection, or wire is at fault. Take care.

Great explanation and straight to the point without all the fillers. A+++++

When this happens, I use an automatic desulfator 12v battery regenerator and most of the times, the problem is solved. Great video. Thanks

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

good idea

Thank you so much. I had the first problem. All i had to do was wipe the battery connectors off

Thank you so much. I literally checked everything and had a new battery but it must have been sitting on the shelf for a minute because it has no power with a load on it.

Love your videos. I went to Canadian tire had them check the battery and bought a new one. Now when try and start it, I get inconsistent results...it will either try and turn and then stop, then it stops, and makes no noise, or it cmakes one click sound. Not sure what is wrong.... Update...turns out Canadian Tire sold me a faulty battery. They gave me a new one and it started up! Thanks Dony for your amazing videos!

I use a solar trickle charger all year round. Seems to work well same battery for about 5 years. I only use the tractor to plow my driveway in the winter. But I'll start it up a couple times a month throughout the year.

Hi! Ai am from Finland. Thanks for good and useful wideos!!

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you like them!

It's also a good idea to keep the battery on a trickle or maintenance charger throughout the winter. If a battery has a low state of charge the electrolyte is more likely to freeze and this could ruin the battery. Also prolonged low state of charge will lead to sulfation which saps capacity and shortens battery life. You have to use all the tips and tricks available to get the most life out of your battery. Also, that trickle charger you use should be a good quality one. I used a cheap one once and it wound up ruining the battery by failing and slowly discharging the battery. I like the Bosch Smart Charge but maybe it's no longer available. Lots of good ones out there.

Great tips donyboy!!

a plus , thanks . every damned year i have to fix this old john deere and i know jack about engines . 2210 bucks for the battery but it's running again . 3 spinning blades i love this thing . time was the CCA was double on these batteries im told they halved it in the late 90s .

Thank you for information and video Merry Christmas ❤

Hey Dony. Didn't know you had lawn tractors in Canada;-] Usually see you repairing snowblowers, chainsaws and gen sets. Even here in Michigan where I use my GT 6000 year round for mowing, sweeping leaves, ground work and snow removal, batteries don't last more than a few years.

Always looking for your videos. 🏆👍👍👍👍👍👍🏆

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

thanks buddy!

Thank you so much, I have the exact problem and the exact tractor. I put a battery from a running tractor ,no change . Gotta be a ground or bad wire, connections are tight and clean.

More good information from the doctor ❤️

I finally got me a load tester,it takes all the guesswork out and saves time in diagnosis.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

lol

Good video Donyboy thanks for sharing

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

have a good weekend Tom!

Thanks for the video turns out my lawnmower battery was 6 years old lol couldn’t get a charge on it anymore

Another good one Don. Thanks and have a great weekend.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, you too!

D B...you are welcome to stay in my garage anytime buddy..you are my Hero..thank you...Catfish.

thanks for this. Although it seems like a basic check I was fooled by a bad battery. Last Fall during my last mow everything was going great. I got interrupted and turned off the mower. 15 minutes later I went back and nothing, no click nothing. I let it sit a couple minutes more and got 2 or 3 ever so slight clicks. A tape measure had fallen into the engine bay (small zero turn) so I thought I shorted something out. Your video plus those minute clicks reminded me the battery was original and a new one has fixed the problem so I can start out this year in good shape!

Directly BEHIND the Tractor of my Craftsman LT2000 was a Tranny Neutral linkage that I pull in order to push the tractor into its storage place. For a hour I couldn't initially cold start my lawn tractor in the Spring, because I forgot to re-engage this linkage. Somehow it was tied into the electrical safety circuit. I'm embarrassed to say how forgetful us old people can be, that the same thing happened twice. HA! That's why its good to write your own "Lawn and Equipment Maintenance Journal, it makes a great reference to fall back on.

I am here for you to teach me it won't be hard I'm 64 years old and I live in Florida yes I had to replace my battery so I'm going to see what you have and what my next problem is see you again 😉

I've only seen it once but it's possible to get a voltage drop across the top of the battery due to filth. It was enough to drain a battery during the off season

I know this videos a few years old but just was wondering something so I bought a new battery back in 2022 and this time after it sat for the Winter. It won't start but as soon as I hookup a battery jump starter to it it shows the hours and everything but won't start and doesn't have any form of sound im assuming it's the starter solenoid because it's not making any noise does that sound accurate at all lol thank you for your time.

Thank you for sharing Don. Cheers

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

You bet

Good job, Dony.

Every fall i would bring the battery in for the winter and put it on a trickle charger once a month. Would last for over 5 years.

Good day Yes them battery usually don't last longer than 2-3 yrs. Thanks

I have a lawn tractor that even though I have 12 volts from the battery side and 12 volts at the small terminals when I press the clutch and turn the key, I can not get 12 volts on the starter side of the solenoid. I've replaced the solenoid with a Briggs and Stratton one, I've used a jumper from the mounting bolts to the ground, I've ran a jumper from the ground to the housing of the starter, etc. Starter works fine when you boost right on the starter and also works when you cross the solenoid with a screwdriver. I've also taken a jumper from the battery side to the small terminals and I still get nothing on the starter side of the solenoid. Do I have a bad replacement solenoid also???

Thank you for sharing this information. 🇨🇦❤️

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

have a good weekend Paul!

@paullemay3218

3 жыл бұрын

@@donyboy73 and you as well. 👍

mine is clicking very fast, can i jump start by pass starter with a batt charger, it has 12v, and a "jump start" feature, but its like 50v or something for vehicles or something... not sure which

I remove my batteries from my equipment and keep them in a warm area during winter, they last 8 to 10 years no problem

@ianbutler1983

3 жыл бұрын

Yes. Mine goes into the basement on a tender, they last a long time.

@virginiaisforgardeners

3 ай бұрын

I need to add that to my Fall chorelist!

@LordTalax

2 ай бұрын

I did that, still had to recharge it

i didn`t see check your starter ...... i watched a video by the eliminator . he was more detailed and his point about checking the current draw on the starter turned out to be my issue. the click plus a high pitched whine if you add a booster (battery jump start power source) will show a significant drop in voltage/amps . checking with a voltage meter set to dc volts start at the battery and to the solenoid relay and to the starter. in my case i removed the cable connection to the starter and got 12 volts or better at every point i mentioned and then used a working starter i mounted on running board with the cable connection that goes to your starter from the solenoid ( in most cases red and heavy gauged or thicK) that confirmed the original starter was toast. you did mention a load tester.... that`s if ya have one. hope this helps and i find your videos most helpful and pretty detailed. even a bonehead like myself can follow. thanks d.b. jimmy d from second chance mowers in reading pa.

thanks for the great vidio sir

Mine got rained on overnight in the winter and the next day its doing this. Think it could be the battery? It drove just fine before the rain.

Thank You Don... ;)

Thank you for this video. My head was turning trying to fix it, then you mentioned the pto…I’m an idiot

Thank you!!

Great video as always. The newer tractors has engines with electronic ignition systems and/or a CDI controller. Will it be OK to use like a NOCO booster on these?

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

yes the noco are pretty good at not over surging the battery and electronics, if you use the booster in video turn it off immediately after it starts

Good video Donny

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

CTEK makes great chargers/maintainers and devices to check the battery’s cold cranking amps (CCA). Been using them for years.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

I'll check them out!

@luuk-out-below9804

3 жыл бұрын

CTEKs are really good. I like to pull all my off season bats and just rotate the ctek around all the batteries every couple of weeks. They won't over charge and boil the batteries like some other cheaper maintainer chargers. Its surprising how much a battery in good condition will self discharge. I have heard they loose 1% a day. Once they get too low and sit too long the plates will sulfate up which will likely kill the battery.

@jasontamu2002

4 ай бұрын

I swear by Ctek!!!! I have 5 on all my vehicles!!

HELP!! I have a cub cadetxt1 42" when trying to start my lawn mower I hear a loud screeching noise and no movement in the tractor. Please help!

My cub cadet i just got (used) battery light is on and clicks when try to start but starts when i put a jump pack to it. I just mowed my yard with it and battery light went off but still wont start just clicks until i put a jump pack to it which it starts right up and runs like a Singer sowing machine.

Was thinking my battery shot but the gas had leaked and filled up the motor had to put a fuel shut off in the gas line faster than needle and seat in

Sold my lawn tractor last year with the original battery still going strong 8 years old

Merci François, Bonne Journée

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

vous aussi Raymond!

On the Global Garden Products/Stiga/Club Cadet/MTD lawn tractors with the electromagnetic clutch for the cutting deck, make sure that you didn’t leave the clutch engaged when you shut off the engine as it’ll give the exact same click. Hard to spot unless you manually check it as the button only travels 1/2”.

@wingerrrrrrrrr

2 жыл бұрын

I wonder if that was an issue with a new Cub Cadet ZT1 after I ran it out of gas and wasn't able to get it turning over until repeated attempts, and then finally it did after some fumbling about. Not exactly sure if I had the PTO pulled back up or if I forgot, but I didn't think it would click at all if the safeties were the issue. Since it clicked, it seemed like the symptom of a bad solenoid contactor rather than a safety lockout.

@wingerrrrrrrrr

2 жыл бұрын

The mention of this could be in line with my running out of gas as it was cutting, and maybe I left it engaged after refueling, and it being all new.

Riding mower just making a "spinning" sound, if that makes since. I used it. I did not mow anything. Using it to pull a cart behind it. Used it for about 4 minutes. Put another load on cart, turned the key, heard a loud POP.. When turning the key to start it, just sounds like something is spinning. It is not clicking when I turn the key. It started 2 times before without any problems,. it started right up. Serviced it about 2 years ago. Just replaced the mower deck belt on it. Any ideas? Thanks

Great video Dony. Could you make a video on how to change a solenoid? Greetings from Saskatchewan.

@frankdavidson9675

2 жыл бұрын

to change a solenoid disc .two big wires the disc small 1or2 wires un screw mounting bolts or screws take solenoid out ad new solenoid best to get same type so mounting holes line up any auto parts store should have what you need as long as it has 2 big bolts and same little bolts it will work do not worry about amps etc they are all about same they may look diff but inside the all work same way

I hear that clicking but wenn I put 12 V from the same battery directly on the solenoid control terminal (the little pin not the one at the top) the motor starts. I tested the connection/wire with an Ohmmeter -> no issue. I've no booster, but if the battery is weak the motor should start when putting 12 V at the little connector of the solenoid, right? It seems there is no 12V at the solenoid control terminal, when turning the key. But why can I hear the click then?

If you have a sunny shed or garage a 5 watt solar trickle charger works wonders on batteries that sit for long periods of time.

@byronwoolfrey1039

3 жыл бұрын

Working perfectly for me too. My snowmobile battery lasted 14 years and snowblower batteries work for years too.

What would a bad starter sound like? I get more of a squeel from the tractor when trying to start it.

Yah these springtime clickies it is usually the battery. Next level is connections/solenoids, hydro-locked engine (filled with fuel) maybe even compression release issues from incorrect valve lash.

Good video

Connecting the battery to an inexpensive battery maintainer during the winter will keep it charged and prevent the freeze damage that can happen to a discharged Lead acid battery exposed to freezing temperatures.

@stijn979

2 жыл бұрын

Does disconnecting and laying it in a warm room also work? (Sorry for bad english)

i am 88yrs old i have always stored my battery equipped mach. on unheated garage in winter I do not recall having any problems also my boat always out side before i sold it

The best investment you can make a cheap 12V float charger. Always connect it to the battery if the machine will be left unused for long periods of time. Come winter always take the battery inside and store it disconnected. What kills these batteries is letting them sit in the cold all winter uncharged. As for a load tester, this is a critical test for any battery is it tells you if the battery can maintain the voltage while under load.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

very true!

@capohd28

2 жыл бұрын

I do the same, and usually get 5 years from a battery. Bring inside and trickle charge a couple times a month.

Thanks

@donyboy73

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for your support!

I use a trickle charger in the winter.

I’ve got a lawn tractor that’s behaving strangely. When I start it, it fires right up… but only runs while the starter is engaged. As soon as I release the key and it returns to the Run position, it dies. This behaves like it’s electrical. Open to any ideas!

If your battery is good but you get fast clicking take out your spark plug then try it. My solenoid would click rapidly when turning over. My starter motor was getting 12v but wouldn't turn the flywheel even when attached directly to battery, but I could hand turn the engine pretty easily. Turns out I got a new sparkplug with my carburetor kit and installed a plug that was too short. It caused more air to be allowed into the cylinder. When my starter motor would try to turn the flywheel, it couldn't overcome the increased compression and would draw too much voltage causing a voltage drop, which caused my solenoid to click rapidly.

Thanks for this Don

I use mine all year, do I do far have had good luck with my batteries,and I have 3 mowers that I use

That was $! My battery had a charge and the cells were good by hydro testing but dropped when a load was placed. New battery and lawn done ✅

Hey Donny.. Question.. Or,where can i send a question to you ..? I'm working on a 148.986501 craftsman Chipper Shredder. It has the Tecumseh Engine 195 but not sure of the exact model on the engine. The problem i have and have had on similar ones like this is the phillips 3/8 hex bolt with 7/16 nut to hold carburetor on. The outside bolt and nut are easy to get to , the inside one with the fuel inlet tube and the chipper housing is really hard to get loosened. I have some long screwdrivers and real small wrenches but its just a pain and time consuming to get that back bolt out. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.. Thanks for all the great videos

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

hi Mark, that's an issue that I would have to physically see

Thanks 👍🇨🇦

I usually leave a trickle charger hooked up to mine. But the last 2 winters in southern Ohio has been so mild i've beem running them all year round

As a word of caution, if your tractor has an electric clutch on the mower, avoid jump starting the mower and then engaging the clutch and mowing immediately. The engine alternator cannot provide enough power to charge the dead battery and provide power for the electric clutch at the same time and this will cause the alternator to overheat and fail. With mowers with electric clutches you should always charge the battery overnight or longer to bring the battery up to as close to a full charge as possible before using to prevent alternator damage.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

good tip!

@frankdavidson9675

2 жыл бұрын

are you talking about voltage regulator damage?????

I've often wondered if a lawn tractor charges the battery while running, seeing as there's no alternator like a car. I am guessing the magneto/coil sends current to the battery? I sold my John deere with my house 2 years ago, I still miss it but not the 2hrs it took to cut the grass.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

yes there is a stator under the flywheel that charges the battery when machine is running

If it just won't start, check your PTO switch and your cruise control lever (especially), since if either of them are not fully off, it won't even try to start... Definitely happens here 😅

Get a battery with a minimum 300 cold cranking amps.

When I see someone hook up a battery I always say, "Hey, don't be so negative, we stay positive here." And ya, I got a battery that is wearing out on my Snapper push mower, the battery dies in a week, so I have been forced to keep a battery tender on it, so I am going to have to replace it at some point.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

on a positive point you could buy a new battery!

@byronwoolfrey1039

3 жыл бұрын

Had a friend who had the same symptoms as here and it turned out it was a 20a fuse under the solenoid. It would start easily when jump starting the solenoid with a screwdriver, but a new solenoid didn't work either so after a lot of searching we found it was the fuse

@frankdavidson9675

2 жыл бұрын

it sounds like you are having regulator problems this changes ac volts from alt .to dc to charge battery you can test with volt meter with eng running should read over 12volts to charge battery 14-15 volts this is usually found mounted on side of of motor on left side small flat with small wire conn .

@frankdavidson9675

2 жыл бұрын

@@byronwoolfrey1039 most of them use 30 amp fuse thats why 20 amp blew

I replaced my battery. And I still have nothing at all! My vintage rider is a 1965 Symplicity Landlord 101..was starting just fine ..now nothing! Any suggestions..thankyou in advance.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

check all the wiring, not a fun job!

It could also be bad ignition switch, loose wires on it, or even a bad starter. Also, a safety switch in the seat can be faulty.

Yeppp! after Every winter

Wondered about this for years, the Old Ford vehicles had a solenoid very similar to the mowers, could you use the Ford one since thy are better made???

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

possibly but I'm not sure

@REVNUMANEWBERN

3 жыл бұрын

@@donyboy73 Thanks, they are virtually the same over all size except the terminals are larger, if mower cable ends was changed to accommodate the Ford solenoid would it function with the mower battery??

@donyboy73 While we're on this subject. I presume the engine charges the battery while running. These sorts of mowers. I have one. But after a while (a week /or 2), the battery seems be drained. What can cause this?

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

yes, there's a stator under the flywheel, you may need a new battery

@TheTezz100

3 жыл бұрын

@@donyboy73 cool thanks 👍 The bad battery isn't it. Had new one. Just was qurious if it has simular to a cars altonator that's & issue.

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

@@TheTezz100 I've had new bad batteries

@TheTezz100

3 жыл бұрын

@@donyboy73 over 2+ over few year's, knew there's got to be some how the mower charges these bad boy's up. Even though the use was a week, week & 1/2. But what you said makes sense. In past with road vehicles, your right about bad new battery's. Love your Vid's by the way. 👍🤘 I'm using or some one else uses 2 stroke power tool's. & coming across your channel, helps a million,👍 Knowing what to look for & the signs

I just put a new battery in and it started - I mowed and then filled up the tank with gas and then it started putting and then I siphoned the gas out then put fresh gas and some SeaFoam and now I'm only getting the click from the beginning of this video. So it worked I added gas and it started putting then now won't start

One of my mowers has been a difficult starter at times , it has an 18 hp V twin intek and a new 220 CCA battery started it for about 18 months with some struggles ( I had previously cleaned all cables and contacts from battery to starter motor from earlier starting issues as well as checking valve clearances ) I replaced the battery with one the same dimensions but rated at 380 CCA and my problems went away . The 220 CCA battery is now over 3 years old and cranks a single cylinder 17.5 hp intek easily still . Moral of the story , CCA matters ;-)

@donyboy73

3 жыл бұрын

I always recommend higher cca batteris! good move!

👍👍