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I have a 14.5 33 Snapper with a hydrostat drive. There is a starting sequence that you have to follow to get the mower to start. That is place the mower in park, throttle to choke, turn the key and start. My problem is that I'm having to repeat this sequence several times before the starter will kick in. Is anyone else having this problem? Is there a fix that will bypass the starting sequence? Thanks

When you say kick in, doe the starter spin without the bendix engaging the flywheel?

If so, mine old one did the same thing. I took the starter to a starter-generator rebuild- repair shop to be told nothing was wrong withy starter....

I cleaned the gear and shaft, sprayed a little WD40 on and in it. I also tried to "re-taunt" the spring that pushes the bendix.

It went to working, not sure it was because of anything I did.

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chobbs1957 said:

When you say kick in, doe the starter spin without the bendix engaging the flywheel?

If so, mine old one did the same thing. I took the starter to a starter-generator rebuild- repair shop to be told nothing was wrong withy starter....

I cleaned the gear and shaft, sprayed a little WD40 on and in it. I also tried to "re-taunt" the spring that pushes the bendix.

It went to working, not sure it was because of anything I did.

Sent from my iPhone using LMF

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No it won't engage anything, like completely dead. I have to then reset the brake, turn the key off, lift up off the seat and then try again. Sometimes I have to do this several times. It's a 2013 Snapper RE210.

8908bistro said:

No it won't engage anything, like completely dead. I have to then reset the brake, turn the key off, lift up off the seat and then try again. Sometimes I have to do this several times. It's a 2013 Snapper RE210.

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Oh, if it's that new, it should certainly not be a starter issue of any kind. My old Kohler equipped '92 model has given me some starter problems before.

It sure sounds like a safety switch issue. My 2012 Series 24 Model 3014524BVE seat safety switch has given me trouble a time or two. I have had to wriggle the seat adjustment knob and plug to get it back working.

8908bistro said:

I have a 14.5 33 Snapper with a hydrostat drive. There is a starting sequence that you have to follow to get the mower to start. That is place the mower in park, throttle to choke, turn the key and start. My problem is that I'm having to repeat this sequence several times before the starter will kick in. Is anyone else having this problem? Is there a fix that will bypass the starting sequence? Thanks

Click to expand...

I have had the same issue many times. I brought it back to the dealer where they changed the ignition switch. Cleared trouble for a week, but now it's back. Fortunately there is a three year warranty with it.

Apparently the ignition switch is a common failure item. Mine has had to be replaced twice, first because it would not engage the fuel valve and second time starter would not engage.
Third Snapper I have owned since mid 60's. The other two lasted for years with only minor maintence.
THis one has been a real dog.
First failure was when rear wheel fell off since apparently keeper was left off at the factory. Second problem was from bolts falling off from not being properly tightened. Thied was from failure to go in gear. Cotter pin left out from factory. Fourth was bad switch failing to energize fuel shut off valve. Next was bad switch causing the stater not to engage. Last was bad bearing in front wheel.
Less than 6 months of use in a small yard.
Snapper won't even reply to emails.

Have now figured out by wiggling the starter key in the switch I can manage to get the starter to engage. I've ordered a replacement key switch and hoping this solves the problem. Should not be having this kind of a problem with only 2.3 hrs on the mower.

8908bistro said:

Have now figured out by wiggling the starter key in the switch I can manage to get the starter to engage. I've ordered a replacement key switch and hoping this solves the problem. Should not be having this kind of a problem with only 2.3 hrs on the mower.

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Mine came back "fixed" again from the dealer, ignition switch replacement. They did say the Snapper recognized the original switch put in all of these new models is bad, and need to be replaced with the new upgraded switch. I put the "fixed" comment in because, although it has worked so far, now... When you go in reverse with the blade engaged AND the safety switch for this enabled, it stalled. Over and over..... So one thing fixed(for now anyway) and another broken. Unbelievable!!!

Mine has failed once again. Dealer talked to Snapper and got a full refund for this dog. The dealer has been great even eating the pick up costs for the numerous failures. I purchased a Dixon from him. It has already run longer than the Snapper did (3 failures by this point for the Snapper) It is a much better performer than the Snapper ever thought about being. If I had tried both in the yard first I would have never bought the Snapper.
Another case where an American manufactor with an awesome reputation has been bought out and run into the ground by greatly cheapening the product.

It's been difficult finding any information online regarding this mower's startup problems so I hope that bumping this old topic isn't frowned upon.

I hadn't been aware of the startup sequence but eventually figured it out for mine:

Here, the trick is to hold the red parking brake up against gravity while turning the key.
Most other times I've fiddled with everything else and could not get any reaction from turning the key.