I posted this on a lawn forum I'm part of too, I thought it might apply to us as well. At least it was a little adventure this morning...

Just never know what could happen - Saturday the little Briggs wouldn't start at all on the ZTR. Drained down the battery pretty good. Put the battery on a nice slow charge, drop it on there this morning. Thighten up all the connections and set the tools down near the mower. Start cranking - still cranking - release the key - and it still keeps cranking!

Realizing this isn't good - I jump off, grab the tools again, and loosen that negative connection - got a nice, fat blue spark as I knocked the cable off. Very, very glad I still had the tools. Even in this short time, I could smell electrical getting hot. Took the positive lead off as well for now.

Maybe as I sort out this problem, I'll put a quick release on the negative side. May just come in handy some day....

 

I had that happen to me on a Ford truck once. The key switch was worn. Did freak me out though.

 

Sometimes when you keep cranking on an engine with a low battery it can actually cause the contacts in the starter solenoid to stick together. Cranking with a battery with low voltage is a very bad thing!

 

Thanks for the insight - however the battery had just been charged, as I mentioend. It was fully charged and ready for many cranks.

 

I have the same problem with one of my forklifts. When it does happen I put in a new battery and it's good to go for several years. If you know anybody close by that will loan you there batt. to try, would rule this solution out

 

Youre original post said that the battery was drained? I assume you figured this out when you attempted to start it? That would mean that you ran or attempted to run the starter with a battery that had low voltage. It doesnt take a lot to cause this. Usually a good bump on the solenoid will solve the issue.

 

I can't help with the immediate problem other than to offer you may have a bad solenoid but, before I put on a quick disconnect, I'd spend the $30 for a keyed disconnect like the type on heavy equipment. It will also add another layer of protection against theft. Remember to put it on the ground side.

 

[QUOTE=96_12V;2607568]
Just never know what could happen - Saturday the little Briggs wouldn't start at all on the ZTR. Drained down the battery pretty good. Put the battery on a nice slow charge, drop it on there this morning. Thighten up all the connections and set the tools down near the mower.QUOTE]


This is what I said regarding the battery - it charged for 8 hours on 2 amp before I re-installed it. It was after i re-installed the battery that problems occured.

And - thanks, the selonoid, fuel line & filter have all been changed. Have a neighbor who is a tech at a small tractor & Lawn & garden shop (same on I bought it from) and he offered to fix it for quite a bit less than shop rate. He called tonight and it's all done - $75. That is what one hour of shop time (labor only) would have cost. I think I'll give him $85 just to be fair....

 

So what was wrong?

 

TO my knowledge, the selonoid locked and kept demanding power. The only way to release it would have been to tap the selonoid (hard to get to quickly) or to remove the negative cable.

 

Harbor Freight has high amp low technology switches for $2. Its a small lawnmower from the original description, I wouldnt go too high tech on the ignition or security system.