Lawn tractor starting problem

[Sam1943]

I have an old lawn tractor with a 14 hp Briggs & Stratton electric start engine. When I tried to start it the engine wouldl turn over just fine but it didn't really try to start. I stopped cranking and waited a second and then turned the key and all I got is clicks. It is like instant dead battery. When I stop cranking it is still going great. No gradual die, it is there and then it isn't. I feel like it is the starter but mechanic skills aren't all that great. Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

 

[DJ54]

Check the ground cable at the frame, or, whatever it is connected to. Make sure it has a good bright connection, and it tight.

 

[TractorGuy]

Your initial problem is probably bad or no gas in the carb. See if it has a drain or solenoid on the bottom of the float bowl. Remove that and verify good gas is going to the carb. Sometimes the needle valve will stick closed. If so you can sometimes blow into the fuel line to get it to open but replacement is the fix.

Second it sounds like the battery went dead. Clean all connections and charge the battery.

 

[Xfaxman]

What is the voltage measured on the battery posts?

 

[k0ua]

All good suggestions. But don't forget the starter relay also. Burned contacts on the starter relay will often give intermittent current flow and intermittent starting results. Also don't forget to check your valve clearance on OHV engines. This is easy to do but if the clearance gets to loose the engines wont crank properly often putting a larger than normal current load on the electrical system that will often burn the starter relay contacts. There are a lot of youtube videos on this wonderful Briggs and Stratton phenomenon.

 

[LD1]

1. Clean all connections
2. Get volt meter
3. Verify battery voltage is 12.5+
4. If still dont crank, follow through the wiring checking voltage as you go

 

[TractorGuy]

Another possibility on that engine is the fuel shut off solenoid failing. Check to make sure the oil level is correct. If it's over filled and smells of gas the solenoid is the likely cause. If it fails to seal off the main jet fuel can fill the cylinder and hydrolock the engine.