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Murray riding lawn tractor model #400600x8 turns but does not start

#1

D

Dario_7

I have this murray lawn tractor that did not turn at first. I checked and found that fuse was burned out so I replaced it. Now it turns but won't start. I figured it is something with a safety switch so I bypassed the seat safety switch and now it turns on but as soon as I release the brake/clutch it turns off. I checked the safety switch and it seems to be working properly but am not sure because my multimeter is a cheaper one. Could this be that I just need to replace this safety switch or is it the clutch safety switch (which I cannot find anywhere)? Please let me know if anyone has any ideas, I have the tractor in my driveway and can't move it cause it does not have a neutral position and is very heavy to drag cause it's in park when off. Thank you


#2

S

SeniorCitizen

Dario_7 said:
I have this murray lawn tractor that did not turn at first. I checked and found that fuse was burned out so I replaced it. Now it turns but won't start. I figured it is something with a safety switch so I bypassed the seat safety switch and now it turns on but as soon as I release the brake/clutch it turns off. I checked the safety switch and it seems to be working properly but am not sure because my multimeter is a cheaper one. Could this be that I just need to replace this safety switch or is it the clutch safety switch (which I cannot find anywhere)? Please let me know if anyone has any ideas, I have the tractor in my driveway and can't move it cause it does not have a neutral position and is very heavy to drag cause it's in park when off. Thank you
Click to expand...
On the side of the engine ( probably left side ) there is a magneto ground wire that kills the engine. Temporarily disconnect it and if the engine runs we pretty well know it's a safety switch problem or a chaffed wire somewhere killing the mag through the safety shut downs.


#3

D

Dario_7

SeniorCitizen said:
On the side of the engine ( probably left side ) there is a magneto ground wire that kills the engine. Temporarily disconnect it and if the engine runs we pretty well know it's a safety switch problem or a chaffed wire somewhere killing the mag through the safety shut downs.
Click to expand...

I tried disconnected the black ground wire that connects to the engine and it still did not turn. It sounded the same as before. I replaced the seat safety switch and tried it again and did the same. It just turns and almost turned on once then just stayed turning and would not start the engine. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help.


#4

S

shiftsuper175607

Dario_7 said:
I tried disconnected the black ground wire that connects to the engine and it still did not turn. It sounded the same as before. I replaced the seat safety switch and tried it again and did the same. It just turns and almost turned on once then just stayed turning and would not start the engine. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

If it is a safety switch, it won't turn over...it does nothing.
Don't bypass safeties...sometimes two or more bypassed does what you are talking about on releasing the clutch.

You have to determine if you have spark or not.

Is the problem...not getting spark or is it not getting fuel?...without knowing for sure, you are messing it up worse by just doing things.


#5

D

Dario_7

shiftsuper175607 said:
If it is a safety switch, it won't turn over...it does nothing.
Don't bypass safeties...sometimes two or more bypassed does what you are talking about on releasing the clutch.

You have to determine if you have spark or not.

Is the problem...not getting spark or is it not getting fuel?...without knowing for sure, you are messing it up worse by just doing things.
Click to expand...

So then it must not be a safety switch because I put safety switch back in place and it does turn but won't start completely. I checked the spark in the spark plug and it does have a blueish spark as I read it should be. So what do you think it could be if it's not the safety switches or spark? I have a cut off valve installed from the gas tank to engine to shut it off when it is not in use but I do open it everytime before I try to start it. Thanks for your help.


#6

D

Dario_7

Dario_7 said:
I tried disconnected the black ground wire that connects to the engine and it still did not turn. It sounded the same as before. I replaced the seat safety switch and tried it again and did the same. It just turns and almost turned on once then just stayed turning and would not start the engine. Any other suggestions? Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

Still no luck I put the safety switch back and tried to turn it on. It actually almost started but then turned off. Still can't figure out what is wrong with it. Do you know how to put this model in neutral so I can move it out of my driveway? It has one pedal for reverse and forward but there is no neutral.


#7

S

shiftsuper175607

Dario_7 said:
Still no luck I put the safety switch back and tried to turn it on. It actually almost started but then turned off. Still can't figure out what is wrong with it. Do you know how to put this model in neutral so I can move it out of my driveway? It has one pedal for reverse and forward but there is no neutral.
Click to expand...


Look for a wire rod, maybe in the very back...you pull it out to freewheel...it can still be hard to push.
It might be in front of the seat.


Have you tried starting fluid or putting a little gas in the carb? If it tried to start it probably has fire.

It must not be getting fuel.
Does your mower have a fuel shut off solenoid on the bottom of the carb?


#8

D

Dario_7

shiftsuper175607 said:
Look for a wire rod, maybe in the very back...you pull it out to freewheel...it can still be hard to push.
It might be in front of the seat.


Have you tried starting fluid or putting a little gas in the carb? If it tried to start it probably has fire.

It must not be getting fuel.
Does your mower have a fuel shut off solenoid on the bottom of the carb?
Click to expand...

Actually before I got your msg about the wire rod for freewheel I used a jack and jacked up the mower from rear wheels and I pulled it backwards and out of the way. It was just the rear tires that are locked and therefore I was able to move it. And about the engine... I installed a fuel cutoff valve from gas tank to carb a few months ago because I got a tip online which suggested it when it was getting gas in mixed with oil and would not start. It seemed to fix the problem was was working until a few weeks ago when it would just not start anymore. So everytime I am gonna use it I open the shut off valve and close it when not in use. Do you think this might be affecting the carb? Thanks for your help


#9

Rokon

Rokon

Since we have no idea what engine you have we can only guess...

Dario_7 said:
It actually almost started but then turned off. Still can't figure out what is wrong with it.
Click to expand...

With this bit of info I would be curious what the flywheel key looks like.


#10

M

Mikel1

So do you have fuel to the carb?


#11

D

Dario_7

Rokon said:
Since we have no idea what engine you have we can only guess...



With this bit of info I would be curious what the flywheel key looks like.
Click to expand...

it is a briggs and stratton 18 HP model number 31D777, what do you mean what the flywheel looks like, do you think that may be the problem? thanks for your help


#12

lugnut1

lugnut1

Dario_7 said:
I have this murray lawn tractor that did not turn at first. I checked and found that fuse was burned out so I replaced it. Now it turns but won't start. I figured it is something with a safety switch so I bypassed the seat safety switch and now it turns on but as soon as I release the brake/clutch it turns off. I checked the safety switch and it seems to be working properly but am not sure because my multimeter is a cheaper one. Could this be that I just need to replace this safety switch or is it the clutch safety switch (which I cannot find anywhere)? Please let me know if anyone has any ideas, I have the tractor in my driveway and can't move it cause it does not have a neutral position and is very heavy to drag cause it's in park when off. Thank you
Click to expand...
are you sure you have the model number right (can't find any information on it)
what year is this tractor?

engine check list:
1.does it have good spark
2.is it getting fuel
3.is it getting air
4.does it have good compression

electrical check:
check the run circuit starting at ignition sw.


#13

D

Dario_7

lugnut1 said:
are you sure you have the model number right (can't find any information on it)
what year is this tractor?

engine check list:
1.does it have good spark
2.is it getting fuel
3.is it getting air
4.does it have good compression

electrical check:
check the run circuit starting at ignition sw.
Click to expand...
How do I check if it is getting good compression?


#14

S

SeniorCitizen

Dario_7 said:
How do I check if it is getting good compression?
Click to expand...

You won't be able to easily hold your thumb on the spark plug hole while cranking.


#15

lugnut1

lugnut1

Dario_7 said:
How do I check if it is getting good compression?
Click to expand...

I use a compression gauge
spin engine over till compression gauge reading peaks out (needle quits climbing)


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