Cold weather starter just spins?

[Tornadoman]

It’s just around freezing here and I decided to move my riding mower from the garage to the barn for winter storage. The battery is fine but when I turn the starter it just spins and doesn’t engage the flywheel. I assume the cold is causing the bendix gear to not rise, maybe from cold grease?

What are the chances the cautious use of a heat gun would let me get it started?

With this coming along with the change in the weather, I tend to agree with you that the grease in the Bendix has thickened. BUT... I had the same experience several years ago and discovered that the gear on the starter was plastic and had stripped.

 

[RevB]

I do NOT use a tender on smaller batteries. I remove, clean posts for next spring, fully charge, tag it with date and charge and keep in warm house. recharge after 2 months. In spring, fully charge, install and go. Most important is full charge when bringing into warm house in fall. PS I also test the battery using CCA meter and life meter and tag that so I know how much life these things have left.

Lead acid batteries......