Mend > Lawn Mowers

Riding lawnmower won't start?

I finished mowing my yard and turned the ignition off. About 30 minutes later, tried starting the mower to move it inside the shed. The engine wouldn't start, but a sound of something buzzing(similar to a bee) everytime I turn the ignition occurs. I thought it might be hot, so I let it cool overnight and the engine done the same thing. Mower ran fine until after the ignition was turned off. This is an MTD Brand Mower, older model.

Adam Mole
October 2005

MTD Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Ignition Engine Mtd

Take the cover off the top of the starter and check to see that the starter drive is intact. If it's broken you could burn up the starter motor if you continue to try to start the engine.

Rick
October 2005

One of 3 thing is your problem. Battery, Starter, selonoid. (I am willing to be selonoid is bad) Check in that order too. Try jump starting mower, just like you would a car. It is starts right up then your battery is the problem. If it doesn't start, jump the starter. If nothing happens then it is the starter. If you tried both and neither did the trick, replace the selonoid. Let me know how it goes. The buzzing sound is power attempting to turn the starter but not able to.

cholbach
October 2005