Mend > Lawn Mowers

Why doesn't the battery in my riding mower stay charged up?

I have a 12 h.p./36 in. cut Murray riding mower - model#8 36568 , Date of manufacture 2967 . The battery is obviously not getting charged. I've used a voltmeter on the battery terminals while it was running and there was no indication of a charge. I've also tried other batteries and it does the same thing. Can someone please tell me what to check and a little bit about how it works?

Anthony
March 2007

Murray Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Battery Stay Up

Thanks for the advice, Rick. I checked the diode in the alternator wiring harness with a digital ohmmeter, but I'm not sure if the reading means that it is good or bad.The forward reading shows 232 and the backwards reading shows completely open. The diode has the number 540 printed on it. Is this reading okay and are there other diodes to check elsewhere? If the diode is good and all connections are good, how would I check the alternator?

Anthony
March 2007

That could me many things. A bad diode in the wiring harness, a loose or dirty connection, a bad alternator. Too many to list.
Electrical issues are tough at best.

Rick
March 2007