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We just replaced the starter on our craftsman riding lawn mower. It’s probably 3 years old. My son uses it to pull a small trailer that holds his lawn equipment. We took it in to replace the starter, it came back and started fine, nice turnover no issues. He took it on a job and all of a sudden it would not start, didn’t even turnover. We tried to jump the battery and nothing changed. We called the shop we took it to abd asked for advise. He had us check the seat fuse, which was fine. Then the cable connect in the engine. Again fine. He then had us turn the flywheel from the top. My mouth fell to the floor as it started when we tried again. Still this seems to continue to happen. I’m wondering what the issue may be and how do I correct it.
DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. The starter has a solenoid that pulls it in and engages with the flywheel. Is there sound of the starter solenoid doing anything? If not, then follow the electrons from the battery thru the ignition to the starter solenoid. If there is, the solenoid must pull in far enough to activate the starter switch to cause the starter to run. Do you hear the starter trying to run. If not there may be a dead spot on the starter motor. If it runs, there may be a broken gear on the flywheel. That may explain whey turning the flywheel caused it to start.
