How To Test A Lawn Mower Starter 2023

Do you need to quickly troubleshoot and repair your lawn mower starter? Using a multimeter is a quick and easy way to diagnose and potentially repair motor problems without disassembling your machine or calling in professionals. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to accurately test your lawn mower’s starter with a multimeter so you can get back out there and relax in your garden!

Common problems with lawn mower starters:

Failing to Put Fuel in the Tank:

If your mower won’t start, chances are you may have forgotten to put fuel in it. Always check fuel levels before attempting to start your mower.

Dirty or Clogged Air Filter:

A dirty or clogged air filter can prevent your mower from getting enough oxygen, resulting in an engine that won’t start. Be sure to regularly check and clean the air filter as part of regular maintenance.

Faulty Spark Plug:

The spark plug is responsible for igniting the fuel-air mixture inside the cylinder so that combustion can occur; if it’s not working properly, the engine won’t start. Check and replace spark plugs as necessary.

Fuel Line Issues:

If the fuel line is clogged, cracked, or otherwise damaged, it won’t be able to deliver enough fuel to the engine. Inspect and replace fuel lines as needed.

Old or Poor-Quality Gasoline:

Gasoline can break down over time, so always use fresh gasoline when filling your mower’s tank. And never mix old and new gas – it may cause the engine to misfire or not start at all.

Flooding the Engine:

This can happen if you pull the starter rope too quickly or too many times in a row without allowing time for the engine to get up to speed. Give the engine a few minutes before trying again.

Ignition Switch:

If your mower won’t start, the ignition switch may be faulty. Check it to see if it’s working properly before attempting to start the engine.

Dirty Carburetor:

A dirty carburetor can prevent fuel from entering the chamber and cause starting issues. Clean the carburetor regularly as part of regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance.

Old or Worn-Out Battery:

The battery is responsible for supplying electricity to run electrical components like spark plugs; if it’s too old or worn out, it won’t be able to provide enough juice for starting the engine. Always check and replace batteries as necessary.

Faulty Starter Rope:

If the starter rope fails to engage or is otherwise damaged, it won’t be able to turn over the engine and thus won’t start. Check and replace the starter rope as needed.

By being aware of these common problems with lawn mower starters and taking proactive steps to address them, you can ensure that your mower will be up and running in no time. Regularly checking all components for signs of wear and tear – including fuel lines, spark plugs, air filters, batteries, and more – is also an important part of maintaining a healthy machine. If you have any questions about troubleshooting starting issues or need help locating replacement parts, don’t hesitate to reach out to a local small engine repair shop.

How To Test A Lawn Mower Starter?

Testing a lawn mower starter is simple if you have the right tools and safety equipment. To begin, make sure you’re wearing protective gloves and goggles to prevent injury. Gather the necessary tools, which should include a multimeter, a fully charged 12-volt battery, a socket or combination wrench, a screwdriver, three to four jumper cables, and safety goggles.

Start by disconnecting the battery from the mower and inspecting the terminals for any dirt, dust, or corrosion. If there is any, remove it with a brush and then wipe it clean.
Use a wrench and screwdriver to remove the starter from its housing in the mower engine.
Connect one end of your multimeter cable to the negative terminal of your 12V battery and connect the other end to the starter’s negative terminal (the frame).
Now, connect another jumper cable between your positive battery terminal and the starter’s positive terminal, forming a closed circuit between them.
Turn on your power supply and check what value appears on your multimeter screen – if it’s 12V, then your starter is working properly.
Reconnect the lawn mower starter and secure it back into its housing with a wrench and screwdriver.
Reattach the battery and you are now ready to start your lawn mower with ease!

By following these steps, you can easily test your lawn mower starter to check if it’s working correctly. Remember to always wear protective gloves and goggles while testing any electrical device or machinery to prevent injury. If you are having difficulty diagnosing and repairing your lawnmower’s starter, contact a professional for help.

Testing the Lawn Mower Battery:

Disconnect the negative terminal of your lawn mower battery and remove it from the mower.
Connect one end of the multimeter to the positive terminal on the battery, using a socket or combination wrench.
Connect the other end of the multimeter to the negative terminal of the battery.
Select “volts” as your setting on your multimeter and turn it on. The reading will be displayed on its screen.
If you receive a reading above 12 volts, your starter is in good condition and no further action is needed.
If you receive a lower reading than expected (such as 3 volts), this likely suggests that there is an issue with your battery and you should attempt to charge it before proceeding.
To do this, connect the positive cable from the jumper cables to the positive terminal on the battery, and then connect the negative cable from the jumper cables to a good ground source.
Finally, connect the other end of the jumper cables to a 12-volt car battery or power supply for an extended period until your lawn mower’s battery is fully charged.
Reattach the lawn mower’s battery with its negative terminal connected first, followed by its positive terminal.
Start up your lawn mower and test again with your multimeter if necessary – it should now read over 12 volts indicating that all is well.

If you’re not sure how to test your lawn mower battery or require further assistance, it is best to contact a professional who can help with the task and provide any advice needed. Remember to always practice safety first when dealing with electrical equipment!

Testing the Lawn Mower Solenoid Frame:

If both the battery and tester are working fine, there might be a possibility that the issue lies in other parts of the lawnmower. This includes the solenoid frame. Testing the solenoid with a multimeter helps to identify the efficiency of the solenoid.

Take out the solenoid part from the lawnmower;
Make sure that you have your battery and multimeter ready;
Connect one lead (black) to the solenoid frame (negative terminal) while connecting another lead (red) to its positive terminal;
After securing all connections, turn on the power;
If the solenoid is working, the multimeter should read a value of 0 ohms;
If there is no reading or you get an error signal on the multimeter, it means that the solenoid frame has become faulty and needs to be replaced.

It is important to test all other components separately before concluding any decision about replacing parts of your lawnmower. However, if the tests confirm that the solenoid frame needs to be changed, always use high-quality spare parts from trusted sources for better performance.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What should a starter read on a multimeter?

When testing a lawn mower starter using a multimeter, you should expect to see 12 volts on the live terminal of the battery and below 0.5 volts when working the starter switch. To test your lawn mower starter, connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to the live terminal of the battery and the positive lead to the starter-motor feed terminal (on a pre-engaged starter this is typically the solenoid feed terminal). When you press and release the start switch, make sure that you observe any changes in voltage from your multimeter. If all readings are normal, then your lawn mower’s starter is functioning correctly. If no readings are present or if there are abnormally high or low readings, then your lawn mower’s starter may need to be replaced.

What should I look for when visually inspecting a lawn mower starter?

When visually inspecting your lawn mower’s starter, inspect the wiring and connections of the starter as well as its casing for any signs of corrosion or wear and tear. Look at the starter switch and make sure that it is working properly, as well as all other components connected to the battery and starter motor. Additionally, check the mounting bolts on the engine block and ensure that they are tight enough so that there will be no slipping during operation. Finally, thoroughly examine the flywheel for any damage or missing parts such as magnets or brushes. All these components must be in good condition for a lawn mower’s starter to work properly.

Can I test my lawn mower’s starter without a multimeter?

Yes, you can still test your lawn mower’s starter without using a multimeter. To do this, simply connect the battery and the starter motor as usual and ensure that all connections are in good condition. Then try to start the engine by engaging the starter switch – if it works correctly then your starter is functioning well. However, if no sound or movement is detected from the flywheel then it could be indicative of an issue with either the wiring or another connected component. In this case, we recommend having a professional inspect your lawn mower for further diagnosis.

What would cause a starter to not turn over?

A common cause of a starter not turning over is a blown fuse in the starter circuit. Broken or corroded wiring and damaged or dirty wires to the battery or the starter solenoid (or loose wires) can also prevent sufficient power from reaching the starter. It’s important to inspect these components closely and ensure they’re clean and properly connected before testing or replacing any parts. Additionally, if your lawn mower is equipped with a safety switch, it may need to be reset after it has been tripped due to an overload condition.

Final Note:

In Conclusion, testing a lawn mower starter is a straightforward process if you have the right tools and follow the steps outlined above. To ensure optimal performance of your mower, it is important to keep its battery charged and in good working order. Regularly testing your mower’s starter will help to identify any potential issues that could lead to bigger problems down the line. Taking care of these simple tasks will also help maximize its longevity and ensure it keeps running at peak performance for years to come.