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

Hello all,

So i purchased an almost new (like 4 months old) Ariens Deluxe 30 for only $500 this weekend from someone. It's vitually in perfect shape with almost no signs of wear.   Downside, can't get it to start.  I think it's because the starting key is missing.  Can someone tell me what this key is suppose to look like?  The slot for the key isn't a normal slot I shaped slot.  Instead, it looks like a capital I (or I guess a wide "H" on it's side) shaped slot (see below for crude illustration).  It's currently in the "up/verticle" position.  The engine is a Briggs and Stratton Snow Series 1450.  Can someone help me out and tell what this key is suppose to look like?  Does anyone know of anything like a key with an I shape?  I think that's all it will take to start the engine but not sure.

If no one knows, is there a way to open up the cover and change the position of the switch/key so that I can start the machine anyways?

Thanks in advance for your help.

midfi

Shape and position of slot:

XXXXXXXXXX

          X

          X

          X

          X

          X

XXXXXXXXXX

Please see the manual per

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/5f/5fbfd1b3-ccb5-4955-b614-cf9b3172828a.pdf

We will need to buy an ignition key that is on the engine (see page 15/42).  It is possible that Homedepot may sell a spare key or call Ariens.

Take some photos near your engine so we can see.

The key either opens or closes a circuit.  Take a look under the housing where the key goes and pull the wires.  Should be two of them.  Try to fire it up with the wires off and not contacting each other.   If it doesn't fire up, connect the wires together and try again.  It will have to work one way or the other.

If it is missing just the key and you got it for $500 - way to go!  Nice deal.

Here's what my key looks like if you can't do the hot-wire thing.  We share the same owner's manual, page GB - 15.  Maybe the key is the same style too.

Wow that is a great deal.  Sounds like too great a deal, almost like it could be a stolen unit, did you get a B.O.S or some kind of proof of purchase?

Mike

 Hey guys, thanks for your responses.   Here are some pictures of the blower and the key slot.  NOTMUCHMONEY, it looks like a different slot than the one on your machine.  Can you please let me know if yours looks like this?  I think the reason this machine was so cheap is because there is a very messy divorce/restraining order involved.  It was originally $900, I made a deal for $700, then said $500 once it wouldn't start.  The machine looks like it was barely used, just some scratches, VERY small rust spots here and there, but still a beautiful machine!

Thanks!

midfi

Having trouble posting a  picture, how do you do that here?  I don't get the standard "browse" when trying to post a picture...

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=6102571009/PictureID=309553840009/a=54605288_54605288/

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=6102571009/PictureID=309553841009/a=54605288_54605288/

http://www2.snapfish.com/snapfish/slideshow/AlbumID=6102571009/PictureID=309553842009/a=54605288_54605288/

Here you go, two close-ups at a better angle.

midfiman wrote:

Thanks for posting your pictures!  I couldn't get the pictures to post so I added three links above.  I hope that you guys can see these!  As you can see, the slot is quite different than yours.  Strange!  I would have thought the engine on the Deluxe 28/30 would be almost the same if not identical...

I have your type of key needed for the Deluxe 30.

Thanks Britmti, I appreciate you taking the time to put the pictures up.  Do you know if I should just go into an Ariens dealer and ask for that, or is there part number I should ask for?  I don't have the manuals with this purchase, otherwise I would just look up the part number and order.

Thanks!

midfi