Scotts S1624 will not stay running

[Meanie]

I have a Scotts (by John Deere) I got from a friend 2 years ago. I tried to get it running last year but then left it alone. I started working on it again today. I replaced the battery today and the solenoid under the carb. Before it wouldn't start at all unless we spayed starting fluid into the carb. After replacing the solenoid and the battery it tries to start but won't stay running. with it on full choke it tries but won't start if we move the lever down to the slowest setting it will start and run for a second or 2 then shut off. Here's the weird part, with the lever in the choke position if I manually move the throttle level back tot eh slow position ( I am talking about the arm on the top of the carb) but keep the butterfly shut, it will start up and stay running. as soon as I let go it shuts off. If I move the lever by the steering wheel at all it will shut off. I'm not sure what the issue is but something is not right. Suggestions?

 

[beenthere]

Fuel to or from the carburetor would be my best guess. You know you have spark, as it runs on what you spray in there.

I'd pull the plug and put a few drops or half teaspoon in the spark plug hole to see if it will run on gas.

Then go into the carb if fuel is making it to the carb ok.

:welcome: to TBN

 

[whis]

carburertor is gummed up in side,take apart and clean. might try some sea foam in it

 

[C4Ranch]

Take the hose off the fuel pump and see if you can pump fuel. Next you might check your gas cap. Mine wasn't venting which caused it to run and quickly die.
Gassers require 3 things, air fuel and spark...