Engine won't start

[DavidS53]

Model: Toro LX460.
DOM; 3/2006.
Engine; Kohler courage 20, twin cam.
Before yesterday the battery would not hold 12 volts charge so I have been jumping with Shumacher charger. When charger is hooked up it shows battery below 12 volts. After jump starting engine the charger shows alternator is putting out 14 volts. Battery would some times re-start engine after being off a few minutes but not always.
Battery is now shorted out and needs to be replaced.
Note: Seat sensor has been disabled. PTO lever is disengaged and brake pedal depressed when starting (safety feature).
When I tried to jump start and turned key the starter made squealling sound. I stopped at this point and removed engine shroud to inspect starter. Looked ok so I energized starter directly and it engaged flywheel and turned engine normally. I removed spark plug, put key to ignition and jumped the starter. Engine turned and spark was observed. Compression was also noted.
I tried to again jump start to battery using ignition key. Engine did not turn but battery now was bubbling and no voltage was detected between terminal. I know battery is bad and needs to be replaced but I am not convinced that is the only problem.
When I hook charger clamp to red battery cable and ground to engine (bypass battery) and turn ignition to start nothing happens. I took the ignition/key assembly apart. It is very simple device and did not appear broken or shorted out so I put it back together.
I remove battery and air filter assembly so I can see carburetor choke plate. Lever/cable seem to function ok. I hook charger red cable to red battery cable and ground to engine with ignition key set to ignition/start. Nothing. I now hook red jumper clamp to starter (ignition key set to run) and energize. Starter cranks engine but won't start. I repeat with choke closed and crank engine again for several seconds. I should be smelling strong odor of fuel but don't and I see very little fuel. Carburetor could have clogged ports or need cleaning.
1) If I replace battery do you think ignition /key assembly will work correctly?
2) The carburetor may need repair.
3) There may be a short some where in the system or one of the safety override devices may be bad.
Have you got any ideas?

 

[bertsmobile1]

Model: Toro LX460.
DOM; 3/2006.
Engine; Kohler courage 20, twin cam.
Before yesterday the battery would not hold 12 volts charge so I have been jumping with Shumacher charger. When charger is hooked up it shows battery below 12 volts. After jump starting engine the charger shows alternator is putting out 14 volts. Battery would some times re-start engine after being off a few minutes but not always.
Battery is now shorted out and needs to be replaced.
Note: Seat sensor has been disabled. PTO lever is disengaged and brake pedal depressed when starting (safety feature).
When I tried to jump start and turned key the starter made squealling sound. I stopped at this point and removed engine shroud to inspect starter. Looked ok so I energized starter directly and it engaged flywheel and turned engine normally. I removed spark plug, put key to ignition and jumped the starter. Engine turned and spark was observed. Compression was also noted.
I tried to again jump start to battery using ignition key. Engine did not turn but battery now was bubbling and no voltage was detected between terminal. I know battery is bad and needs to be replaced but I am not convinced that is the only problem.
When I hook charger clamp to red battery cable and ground to engine (bypass battery) and turn ignition to start nothing happens. I took the ignition/key assembly apart. It is very simple device and did not appear broken or shorted out so I put it back together.
I remove battery and air filter assembly so I can see carburetor choke plate. Lever/cable seem to function ok. I hook charger red cable to red battery cable and ground to engine with ignition key set to ignition/start. Nothing. I now hook red jumper clamp to starter (ignition key set to run) and energize. Starter cranks engine but won't start. I repeat with choke closed and crank engine again for several seconds. I should be smelling strong odor of fuel but don't and I see very little fuel. Carburetor could have clogged ports or need cleaning.
1) If I replace battery do you think ignition /key assembly will work correctly?
2) The carburetor may need repair.
3) There may be a short some where in the system or one of the safety override devices may be bad.
Have you got any ideas?

Start with a new battery and pay the few pennies more and get a mower battery they are different to car batteries and have thicker plates to take the rough treatment they get on a mower.
Go to Toro's web site and download the parts & maintanance manuals for your mower.
In one of them is the wiring diagram
There is another file called the demystification manual which contains all of the circuit diagrms for the specific years you might need to resort to that.
Under the carb is a fuel shut off solenoid that jambs a ram into the bottom of the main jet preventing fuel getting into the engine.
It needs 10V to open and when jumping the voltage can be too low to open the fuel solenoid.
This would explain why the engine was cranking & sparking but not starting.
Cheap trick is a little fuel or starter fluid down the carb throat if it starts and runs that fuel off, then the solenoid is most likely not open or there is no fuel in the float bowl.

Somewhere there is a fuse ( actually 3 for your model I think ) and when jumping it is very easy to blow it