How to Know if the Starter Is Bad on My Lawn Mower

A bad starter can prevent the mower from starting up.

The starter motor on a lawn mower engine is a crucial component of the engine system. The starter provides the electrical current that fires the spark plug and causes internal combustion in a gas-powered engine. In electric mowers, the starter motor may serve as part of the power supply itself. A starter on a mower can die suddenly, or it can begin to exhibit erratic behavior or make strange sounds before it stops working.

Instructions

1. Wait to see if the lawn mower starts up after turning the ignition. For push mowers, wait until after pulling the start cable to see if the mower starts.

2. Listen closely for any sounds made immediately after trying to start the mower. If the mower does not start, listen for a clicking sound as you try to restart it. A clicking sound is a good indication that you have a bad starter.

3. Keep track of how many times the lawn mower starts right away or requires a few attempts to start. A dying starter will work some of the time, but not every time.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that the oil level is correct, according to the owner's manual, and that the mower has fuel.

• Locate the spark plugs and check that they are seated firmly.

• For riding mowers, make sure the drive shaft is in park or neutral before attempting to start the mower.

References

• Home Parts and Repair: Push Lawn Mower Won’t Start
• American-Lawns.com: My Mower Won't Start