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I have a craftsman riding mower, (18hp, 42" cut) 7 years old. Most mornings it will not crank. Removed the starter and had it checked by AutoZone; it checked OK. Replaced the male part of the ignition switch; replaced the starter solenoid; made sure all connections were tight; still will not crank fully. Most times the flywheel will make one revolution. When the weather is nice and warm, then, the engine will crank right up. Why is this happening? Battery is new!
Will appreciate any hint to my problem.
Thanks

Based on what you said, I am suspect of the battery and/or connections. Get a volt meter and measure battery voltage at the battery terminals. You should have 12.6 volts. Much less than 12.6 will start to affect how the engine cranks.

Another possibility that is very common with Briggs & Stratton Over Head Valve engines is that the valves are out of adjustment and causes the automatic compression release to not function properly.

Check the battery voltage and report back with your findings.

While you are checking battery voltage... Also check the actual voltage At the starter, While you are trying to start... :smile:KennyV

Lawnranger said:

Based on what you said, I am suspect of the battery and/or connections. Get a volt meter and measure battery voltage at the battery terminals. You should have 12.6 volts. Much less than 12.6 will start to affect how the engine cranks.

Another possibility that is very common with Briggs & Stratton Over Head Valve engines is that the valves are out of adjustment and causes the automatic compression release to not function properly.

Check the battery voltage and report back with your findings.

Click to expand...

Battery voltage registered less than 12 volts after first checking. Charged battery fully and still would not crank engine. Turned fly wheel manually till it loosened up; then mower started with the flywheel spinning like a P51 propeller. Because of bad weather here in So. Georgia have not been able to check voltage at starter, but will do soon as weather permits. Thank you for your tip on the compression problem. Should I buy a battery with a higher crank rating or just settle for manually turning the fly wheel till it loosens up? I sure thank you for your help in this matter and I really don't mind manually turning the fly wheel as long as I can get the mower to crank up. Thanks again.

KennyV said:

While you are checking battery voltage... Also check the actual voltage At the starter, While you are trying to start... :smile:KennyV

Click to expand...

Battery voltage registered less than 12 volts after first checking. Charged battery fully and still would not crank engine. Turned fly wheel manually till it loosened up; then mower started with the flywheel spinning like a P51 propeller. Because of bad weather here in So. Georgia have not been able to check voltage at starter, but will do soon as weather permits. Thank you for your tip on the compression problem. Should I buy a battery with a higher crank rating or just settle for manually turning the fly wheel till it loosens up? I sure thank you for your help in this matter and I really don't mind manually turning the fly wheel as long as I can get the mower to crank up. Thanks again.