air cleaner cover

Hi, Does anyone know how to remove a stuck air cleaner cover when the retainers just spin? I tried lifting with vise grips while turning counterclockwise, but nothing engages. It will help me a lot if anyone has pictures of what I'm dealing with under the cover. Thanks in advance, Dennis

So the mower was parked after the last cutting session and the next try, "Click" no crank. It sounds like it is from the starter gear area. Hand on solenoid I feel nothing. I turned the flywheel over by hand and there was no change. So...I tried to take the engine cover off and when it came to...