[YVEYANT]

I went out to cut the grass for the last time this year, I went to start it up and it is dead, no life at all. I use to have this problem with my old one and it would eventually just come on after turning the key a few times. I worked on this one all day. It is only a few months old. Battery tested strong. I sanded every contact imaginable, I found a 20 amp fuse behind the right fender, it was fine, the seat safety cut off was intact, I sanded those contacts and tried to bypass them, spark plugs are great, boots too. I took apart the solenoid and cleaned off all the contacts, grounds. The solenoid may be the problem, who knows..
The only thing I did not bypass and may be the problem is the brake switch safety cutoff and the PTO safety switch. Not sure if there is a way to bypass those, I would like to anyway if possible as this unit shuts off if you try to go in reverse while cutting, I find that very annoying that I have to shut off the PTO to go in reverse. I think there is a neutral safety switch too.
I cleaned out my garage about twoo weeks ago and did not want to start up the mower so I went to push it in neutral and noticed the wheels are locked, same in forward and reverse. I did not start it I just dragged it out. Could I have messed something up? It worked fine before this.
I tried the trouble shooting guide on their site and it just gives info on general things to look for.
It is a TroyBilt Super Bronco
Model # 13AT609G766
Serial # 1E064H20790

[David Holmberg]

Check the starter. On some the starter is pointed up and the arm will stick, and won't even click. IF that's the case, we use to drill a hole in the curved cover so you could add a couple drops of oil from time to time.

Just an idea.

[Pontiac signman]

Ant,

My 52" Toro was having a similar problem.....starter must have been corroded and wouldn't engage, just kept tapping the key to try to turn over...maybe try tapping with a hammer like on a car?

Also, sometimes there are safety things that don't let it start....mine if the emergency brake isn't engaged, it won't turn over at all....or seat safety if not sitting on it while starting?

Hope that helps?

Adam

[johnta1]

Does your carb have a wire going to the float bowl?

If so, try tapping on that switch/plug.

[Jim Scites]

Sounds like my kind of mechanics. Every repair requires a hammer. That's the way I fix things too.
The only thing I can add is to check all the the switches you listed with a VOM. Is there voltage going to the solenoid when the key is in the crank position?

[YVEYANT]

Adam, I tried the E-Brake it did not work.
John yes it does, I will give it a tap tommorrow, but will that cause it to be completely dead?
Jim, I know this is your thing. You need to move closer, lol I will check ith a meter tomorrow. Wish me luck.

[YVEYANT]

I know it has a neutral safety and the lever is in Neutral but I can't roll the mower it feels like it is locked in gear. When in neutral it should be rolling when I don't have my foot on the brake, it wont move. I had to drag it back into the garage like a bull.

[Overkillphil]

Are the blades disengaged? Very common to overlook this.

[johnta1]

It's an anti-backfire valve.
I couldn't find a replacement for mine, a new carb was expensive, (more than the lawn mower), decided what the h*ll, tap it and it started working.
It acts like a broken circuit when it doesn't work.
(or a safety switch)

It's like a solenoid inside I think. Tapping it freed up the plunger.

Try 'cranking' it while gently tapping it.

[400 4spd.]

Originally Posted by Overkillphil

Are the blades disengaged? Very common to overlook this.

I was going to ask the same thing. I've done it a few times with mine.

[YVEYANT]

Blades are disengaged. PTO is shut off.

[YVEYANT]

Thanks for all the help guys.
Battery was dead. Gave it a boost and it started right up, go figure. I am wondering if like a car, will the battery charge while it is running? Troybilt said yes, I don't see it..

[Sirrotica]

It has a charging circut and yes it does charge while running.

[YVEYANT]

Cut the grass, and did not dare shut it off. When I finished nd parked it in the garage, I shut it off and tried to re-start it, I got nothing, dead. It did not re-charge the battery. I had that thing running full throtte for about three hours at least.
I can jump it with the battery out going directly to the cables and it will kick right over, if I try to jump it with the battery in the mower it won't start. I am figuring it just wont hold a charge. Battery???

[Sirrotica]

If you want you can replace the battery without testing anything, it's your money. Personally I want to know before I go buying parts and changing them on an assumption. Just because the engine ran after jumping it does not mean the charging system is working. Small engines have a magneto ignition system and need no battery voltage to run. You need to have the battery charged and tested before you condemn it, most auto parts stores do it no charge. Chances are the charging system is working if you were able to cut the lawn with it and you have a electric clutch for engaging the blade, the charging system has to be working. If the blade engagement is mechanical it could be a rectifier module bad in the charging system, or possibly a broken or grounded wire in the harness. With it running you need a voltage test to see if in fact the charging system is working to isolate the problem and make sure the battery is the culprit.