Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

briggs engine on craftsman rider will not start when turning key. have replaced battery, starter which was bad, switch and relay(i think that is what it is called). yesterday, it started right off the bat then i shut it down and tried to restart and it would not start. i have to click, click,click the key and sometimes it will spin the motor and it will start. it has been this way where i had to click it several times for a couple of years and it would always start after a couple times. it just wont catch each time this year.when i do click it, i can hear a sound like a squeal that sounds as if it may be coming from the starter.

am i crazy or is the mower haunted. any suggestions appreciated. this is my first time to this area and it appears to be fabulous site. thank you

I have had this problem! Make shure all your batt cable conections are clean. Most importantly the ground cable where it hooks to the frame they get rusty and corroded. Next some people (maybe not you) buy the cheepest battery that is usually 180 cca. That may not be enough to turn over your engine. I go for the 280 cca or I think I just got a 320cca not more problems.

thanks for info. will try each suggestion

jariman wrote: