How do you test a riding lawn mower starter? You turn the key. If it starts, it’s working.
All kidding aside, there are times when testing the starter will be important for diagnosis.
Starters are one of the more expensive items to replace on the ignition system, so before you buy a new one it pays to take the time to test the starter
While it’s easy to think that the starter is faulty when the machine doesn’t start, that’s not always the case.
The ignition system is comprised of multiple components, so there are a lot of extra variables that we have to consider.
Tools Needed (Commissions Earned)
How to Test a Riding Lawn Mower Starter
If you look at the starter motor, it usually has two protruding bolts. One is the positive post and the other is the negative post. On some starters, the motor is grounded through the mounting bolts.
Testing it is very simple. You can either remove it from the machine for testing or you can test it on the machine if you have good access.
Using a jumper pack, connect the positive cable to the positive post and the negative cable to the negative post (or the mounting body if there is no negative post).
Then, just turn your jumper pack on. If the starter is working, it should start to spin the shaft and starter gear. If it doesn’t, then you know that the starter motor needs repair.
Why Test a Riding Lawn Mower Starter?
If your machine is not starting, it’s a good idea to start with testing the starter. Not only is this an expensive part to replace, but it’s good to isolate. By supplying power directly to the starter, you can eliminate that as being the faulty culprit.
What Else Should I Test?
If the starter motor passes the isolation test but the machine is still not starting, you just have to continue working through the ignition system.
Inspect all connections to make sure that they’re tight and free of corrosion. These connections are found on the starter motor, battery terminals, ignition switch and ignition relay.
Once everything is good and tight, test the components with a multimeter. It’s helpful if you can find an electrical diagram for your machine.
In general, the ignition switch has power coming in and power going out to the starter relay. With the key in the on position (but not cranking), test that the switch has power coming in and out. Test that the relay has power coming in and out. And test that there’s power to the starter motor.
Recap
That’s really all there is to it. Now that you know how to test a riding lawn mower starter, hopefully you can diagnosis starting issues the next time you encounter one.
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