97 425 garden tractor no start

Gittyup · Oct 29, 2015

weeder said:
Well no leaks so far have the front end back on it NOW looks like the bendix in the starter is sticking or going bad just my luck. It sometimes wants to stay engaged after the engine starts. Can I fix this without pulling the engine again? It is on the side hopefully I can but I will let you guys chime in and give me some good ideas.

Probably key switch or relay. Not likely the starter itself. Congrats on the successful cam replace. Not sure where the controls are, but I think they are on the PCB in the dash.

weeder · Oct 29, 2015

Well I am new at this but when I went to start it not every time I could hear it very clearly down at the starter but I have to rely on your info since you guys have been doing this a lot longer than me. I tapped on the side of the solenoid or bendix and it hasn't done it this afternoon. we will see what it does in the am. The engine runs really smooth and probably needed the valves adjusted anyway Seems I have to choke it every time to start even after it is warmed up. That is no big deal but actually I was never around this when they were using it. I might try spraying some elec cleaner on the switch tomorrow if it does it again.

Gittyup · Oct 30, 2015

weeder said:
Well I am new at this but when I went to start it not every time I could hear it very clearly down at the starter but I have to rely on your info since you guys have been doing this a lot longer than me. I tapped on the side of the solenoid or bendix and it hasn't done it this afternoon. we will see what it does in the am. The engine runs really smooth and probably needed the valves adjusted anyway Seems I have to choke it every time to start even after it is warmed up. That is no big deal but actually I was never around this when they were using it. I might try spraying some elec cleaner on the switch tomorrow if it does it again.

On the choking thing, check your fuel lines to the carb. There may be a crack or porous. I know mine failed about this age. Simple to replace.

weeder · Oct 30, 2015

Gittyup said:
On the choking thing, check your fuel lines to the carb. There may be a crack or porous. I know mine failed about this age. Simple to replace.

Ok, just looked at them this am I couldn't find any bad cracks in fact they looked fairly new.

bruceatlam · Oct 30, 2015

Run some Sea Foam in the gas for a few hours --- that will help clean it up. The cleaner it gets, the easier it will start.

Gittyup · Oct 30, 2015

weeder said:
Ok, just looked at them this am I couldn't find any bad cracks in fact they looked fairly new.

New fuel filter? Could be a lot of things. I know I never had to choke mine once warm. In the nearly 20 years of use, always started on first turn whether 10 degrees or 100, hot or cold engine. Cold: choke, warm: no choke. Always at full throttle when cold and idle speed when warm. Mine didn't like to start at full throttle when warm. Squirt some carb cleaner in it and try some seafoam or startron. It can't hurt. Also, did you get the choke cable back on correctly?

weeder · Oct 30, 2015

Well Houston I have a problem, It started good all day then I went to move it to the other side of the garage now I have 2 things or maybe one that makes 2 problems. When I turn on the key the starter try's to start the engine and the key is not turned all the way. But then it quit firing and I noticed no gas coming to the carb. Also the fuel filter doesn't have much fuel in it. So could it be a switch, relay and fuel pump? Or are 3 hooked up on the starting sequence? I haven't checked the elec schematic yet was going to undo the fuel line in the am and see what happens. The choke looks like it is hook up as it was because I marked it with a paint pencil. Same as the throttle cable. I will put some seafoam in it tomorrow and look over the elec schematic but I am not that good on reading those. Well figured something would happen maybe you guys can help me figure this one out???????? Thanks weeder Oh the fuel filter looks new and clean.

weeder · Oct 31, 2015

Gittyup said:
Probably key switch or relay. Not likely the starter itself. Congrats on the successful cam replace. Not sure where the controls are, but I think they are on the PCB in the dash.

Well checked the battery voltage good at 13.o volts seat switch is working, the engine turns over as soon as I put the key on run not start run position. The headlights do not come on when this happens they were working previously. Also checked the fuel lines and when engine is turning over no fuel comes out of the line before the filter and the filter is new. So I have been looking at the elec schematics and like I said I am not very versed in that kind of stuff. I am really hoping somebody can help me on this. Ok back to the garage and see what else I can mess up Lol

tk tom · Oct 31, 2015

Don't worry about filter not being full. I would be concerned that fuel is not coming from the tank, there is likely a screen at the outlet of the tank that could be plugged. Loosen the cap and apply low pressure to fuel line to clear it to the tank. Be careful of fuel flow back through after that. Then check for flow out of the pump as the motor cranks.

Sounds like a bad switch or solenoid as far as starter issue not disengaging properly, likely switch with the other issues mentioned.

Not sure on having to choke, sounds lean like a possible air leak from a bad gasket, partially blocked carburetor passage, or maybe poor quality fuel. Difficult hot starts can also be low compression symptoms. --if it's not related to the original fuel flow problem. Also check fuel cap, they are vented. If that is plugged then it won't flow.

weeder · Nov 1, 2015

tk tom said:
Don't worry about filter not being full. I would be concerned that fuel is not coming from the tank, there is likely a screen at the outlet of the tank that could be plugged. Loosen the cap and apply low pressure to fuel line to clear it to the tank. Be careful of fuel flow back through after that. Then check for flow out of the pump as the motor cranks.

Sounds like a bad switch or solenoid as far as starter issue not disengaging properly, likely switch with the other issues mentioned.

Not sure on having to choke, sounds lean like a possible air leak from a bad gasket, partially blocked carburetor passage, or maybe poor quality fuel. Difficult hot starts can also be low compression symptoms. --if it's not related to the original fuel flow problem. Also check fuel cap, they are vented. If that is plugged then it won't flow.

Ok will do the fuel check, I was reading the tech manual and found something pertaining to the switch and constant cranking. Prob right I will order a new switch and maybe a new carb gasket since I didn't replace the old one. Thanks tk hope I can figure it out.