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I mowed my lawn as usual and put away my Honda mower (model Owner's Manual HRN216VKAA). A week later when attempting to start the mower the cord was difficult/almost impossible to pull. Definately not fast enough to start the mower.

I checked for gas in the oil and none found. I pulled the plug and attempted to pull the cord and it was still extremely hard to pull. I don't know why, but I gave it a pull while holding the blades in the engaged position and it pulled easily...starting on the first pull.

I decided as long as it was running I'd mow the lawn. I had to empty the bag three times and each time I could only pull/start the mower by engaging the blades while pulling the cord.

The mower seemed to operate normally while mowing with the only problem when starting.

I am totally stumped.

Well the IPL for the model posted does not show a blade clutch, just an engine brake. And yes it must be release to start the mower.

You only two bars present. One is the engine brake and the other is the self propel drive.

StarTech said:

Well the IPL for the model posted does not show a blade clutch, just an engine brake. And yes it must be release to start the mower.

You only two bars present. One is the engine brake and the other is the self propel drive.

Click to expand...

My bad use of terminology, but I don't know what you're referring to by engine brake. It has one bar (blade control lever) which engages the blade, and one plastic lever (Smart Drive Control) which when depressed controls the forward speed.

Referencing IPL from https://peparts.honda.com/powerequipment/lawn-mowers/hrn/HRN216/HRN216-VKAA/VR84E1900/references


The engine brake can be called blade control.

But as said there is no blade clutch. The blade is directly attached to the crankshaft.

You mower uses items 20 and 22 for the blade control (engine brake) setup.


The blade control lever is attached item 10 which the flywheel brake (engine brake) via item 20 above. Which must also be disengage for the engine to even fire up as item 9 is the kill switch.

You know, I think I was having a senior moment and the mower is working as designed. My 30 year old mower, which recently died and was replaced, had the ability to be started without the blades engaged. It had two levers, one engaged the blades and the other the drive wheels. When both levers were released, the mower would continue to run with without any contact with the operator, whereas my current mower automatically shuts down when the blade/brake lever is released.
Thank you for your comments.