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I have a nine year old Pony and just a couple of weeks ago, my mower decided it would not start. The engine turns once or twice, then stops. It doesn't turn over. I replaced the spark plug and battery but no change. I cleaned the air filter and no change. I am not super knowledgable in small engine repair but want to try to fix this myself if at all possible. What should I do next?

Is your connections tight on the battery? Is the negative cable tight and clean where its grounded to on the frame?

davbell22602 said:

Is your connections tight on the battery? Is the negative cable tight and clean where its grounded to on the frame?

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That would be my first guess also.

Will it spin over with the spark plug out?

reynoldston said:

That would be my first guess also.

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Thanks - I will look tonight. Can you just tell me in what general part of the frame is it attached. (I will be looking in the dark with a flashlight since I have to go somewhere right after work today).

Carscw said:

Will it spin over with the spark plug out?

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I'll try it after I check the battery connections - Thanks.

It might help to wait till its day light out if your flash light is faulty. Look at your battery and you will see a +/ red and -/black where the cables are connected. Start on the -/black side and follow the cable till you get to the spot its fasten on the frame. Remove this cable and clean very well. A very good chance you will find that the cable where it is fasten to the battery on the +/red side is the trouble spot.

Ok - so I cleaned where the battery cable connects to the frame. It was dirty. However, nothing changed.

When I took out the spark plug and turned the key the spark plug sparked and the engine spun like it wanted to start. However, when I disconnected the spark plug wire to re-insert the plug, the metal connector inside the rubber end broke off on the spark plug.

Now what?

Time for a new coil if your talking about metal clip thats on the spark plug wire.

Is that something I can do myself?

Me4ble said:

Is that something I can do myself?

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Yes it is.

Me4ble said:

Ok - so I cleaned where the battery cable connects to the frame. It was dirty. However, nothing changed.

When I took out the spark plug and turned the key the spark plug sparked and the engine spun like it wanted to start. However, when I disconnected the spark plug wire to re-insert the plug, the metal connector inside the rubber end broke off on the spark plug.

Now what?

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You can buy just a new spark plug wire end. Most auto parts stores or NAPA.

reynoldston said:

You can buy just a new spark plug wire end. Most auto parts stores or NAPA.

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I think he's talking about metal clip on the plug wire not the rubber boot.

davbell22602 said:

I think he's talking about metal clip on the plug wire not the rubber boot.

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Yes the metal clip is replaceable.. I make up my own copper core plug wires because I have all the hardware and wire to do so. I also have made plug wires longer by adding a new peace of wire to the old wire. You just have to seal it up with liquid tape.

reynoldston said:

Yes the metal clip is replaceable.. I make up my own copper core plug wires because I have all the hardware and wire to do so. I also have made plug wires longer by adding a new peace of wire to the old wire. You just have to seal it up with liquid tape.

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You should do how to on that. Especially on removing and installing back on the coil itself. I been replacing the whole coil with used or new.

davbell22602 said:

You should do how to on that. Especially on removing and installing back on the coil itself. I been replacing the whole coil with used or new.

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You don't have to replace the whole cable. Just add a new end on to it.

davbell22602 said:

I think he's talking about metal clip on the plug wire not the rubber boot.

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Its the metal clip inside the rubber boot that connect directly to the spark plug. Can I replace that?

Me4ble said:

Its the metal clip inside the rubber boot that connect directly to the spark plug. Can I replace that?

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Yes that metal clip is replaceable.

davbell22602 said:

Yes that metal clip is replaceable.

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Would an auto parts store sell that?

Even if I get this spark plug issue fixed. I still need to fix what was wrong in the first place. Any ideas?