2020 Snapper RER died suddenly

[2020snapperrer]

Model #: 2691526 33" B&S Snapper Rear Engine Rider

The thing is less than a year old and has been running well, until now... It died suddenly while mowing with no prior signs of a struggle. The key start does jack, not even a click. The pull start will turn the engine and even start the engine but it will die after just a second or two. It's acting like it would if I tried to start it in gear. Like a safety switch is flipped or something. I have confirmed a spark. How can I confirm safety switch?

I don't have any small engine experience. What would be the likeliest culprit? Anyone mind helping me troubleshoot this?

Thank you.

 

[slomo]

Just to help you out on this and maybe other forums.

Post numbers of either the mower or engine. In this case you have an unknown running issue so we need both. Could be a switch (mower) or dirty carburetor (engine).

We don't need an entire mower history of where you got it and on what day....... How big the deck is most of the time.

Tell us what it is and isn't - doing like this.

1.engine doesn't run
2.starts but dies a few seconds later
3.I have spark
4.could be a safety switch, dirty carb or I forgot to open the vent on top of the fuel cap.

P.S.
making a video and posting to youtube or taking pictures help us a lot.

 

[Born2Mow]

Test you seat switch with a VOM electrical meter. The switch should make/break connection as pressure is added/subtracted from the seat.

Do you wash this mower with water ??

 

[Richard Milhous]

How do you know you have spark? Neither a spark tester nor seeing a spark nor getting shocked guarantee that the spark is strong enough to fire under compression.

However, I don't think that's your problem. If the key start doesn't work (and the battery is hot!) it's probably a safety switch. Could possibly be the ignition switch.

 

[2020snapperrer]

Just to help you out on this and maybe other forums.

Post numbers of either the mower or engine. In this case you have an unknown running issue so we need both. Could be a switch (mower) or dirty carburetor (engine).

We don't need an entire mower history of where you got it and on what day....... How big the deck is most of the time.

Tell us what it is and isn't - doing like this.

1.engine doesn't run
2.starts but dies a few seconds later
3.I have spark
4.could be a safety switch, dirty carb or I forgot to open the vent on top of the fuel cap.

P.S.
making a video and posting to youtube or taking pictures help us a lot.

Here are all the numbers I could find:
On the back of the mower below the motor: MODEL 2691526, REV 00, SERIAL NO. 4001502015
On the right side of the motor above the rear right wheel: MODEL 31R777, TYPE 0052 G1, CODE 200316ZD
On the engine cover: Serial #: 2003160516448, Model Number: 31R7770052G1
Also on the engine cover: Engine Family: LBSXS.5002VV, EU: e5*2016/1628SYB1/P*1050*00, ECS: EM 80087075

It is:
1. Showing spark at the end of the plug when turned with the pull start.
2. Starting, then stopping immediately when using the pull start.

It isn't:
3. Making a peep when the key is turned. Not even a click.
4. Running.

It was:
5. Running just fine like a brand new mower should with no signs of trouble prior to it stopping suddenly. No rocks or sticks were hit right before it stopped. I was driving in a straight line, on level ground, mowing San Augustine grass.

 

[2020snapperrer]

Test you seat switch with a VOM electrical meter. The switch should make/break connection as pressure is added/subtracted from the seat.

Do you wash this mower with water ??

How does the seat switch work? Does it ground to kill? Or does it close the circuit when depressed?

The reason I ask is because I took the switch out and tested it, and it appears to be a functioning switch, but I'm not certain. When the seat/switch is depressed (as if someone is sitting on the seat) the meter reads "overflow". But when the switch is NOT depressed (as if no one were on the seat) the meter reads a closed circuit with a steady .3-.4 ohms. This seems to be the opposite of what you suggested above. It appears to open the circuit when someone is seated. Is this the way it's supposed to be?

 

[2020snapperrer]

How do you know you have spark? Neither a spark tester nor seeing a spark nor getting shocked guarantee that the spark is strong enough to fire under compression.

However, I don't think that's your problem. If the key start doesn't work (and the battery is hot!) it's probably a safety switch. Could possibly be the ignition switch.

I pulled the plug and and pulled the pull start and saw the spark on the engine block. The battery is good. I thought ignition switch too, but that wouldn't explain why it stopped mid-mow, would it? I'm starting to think it's the brake/clutch switch. Where is that?

 

[2020snapperrer]

Nm, I found the brake/clutch switch. How to I test this switch? It has 4 terminals.

 

[2020snapperrer]

Update:

1. Brake switch tested good with meter.
2. Seat switch tested good with meter.
3. Ignition switch tested good in all positions with meter.
4. With all switches physically depressed mower will still not start.
5. Confirmed battery is good by hooking up to a battery charger.

 

[2020snapperrer]

Update:

I was able to get the engine to fire with some starter fluid, but it quickly died again.