Cold weather starting

[jerrycmorrow]

Craftsman LT2000 mower. Battery approx 1-2 years old. Mower wont turn all the way over to start when weather gets into the 30s. Not even with a boost. Help would be appreciated. Thanks, jerry

 

[sgkent]

measure the battery voltage at the battery terminals (with the booster if you are using it) WHILE cranking.
Then measure it between the starter 12V STUD and the battery ground terminal while cranking.
Next measure it between the engine block and battery negative while you are cranking.

Post the results

 

[Mark H_NO]

And if you have a little time, clean the connections at the battery, solenoid, and starter. It never hurts.

 

[Auto Doc's]

If it is a Walmart "never start" they are not made to last hardly a year without a battery maintainer constantly connected.

As M said take the battery terminals off and clean the really good. Corrosion on terminals is a constant problem with rider equipment.

 

[Oddjob]

Storage cell batteries lose efficiency as the temperature goes down, so suspect a weak battery or poor connections that reach breaking point when cold weather lowers efficiency. But also, what viscosity is your oil? Are you using 30 weight oil? Dino juice or synthetic? Check your operator manual for proper viscosity for cold weather.