Starting issues...HELP!!

[mshankle]

I've already searched for my issue but I couldn't find anything that applied here. I have an old Simplicity mower that was given to me by my father-in-law - he probably bought it in early 90's?? Anyways, never had an issue with it for two years and I go out to mulch up the few leaves here and there in the yard, turn the key and NOTHING. Not even a noise from the connection of the battery - I took the battery out and put it on my charger. After a couple hours the charger said it was ready to go, put it back in and still nothing. Fuel tank is fine, weight sensor is good - I'm stumped.

I'm not real handy with tractors but am mechanically inclined. From the research I've done it sounds like a connection somewhere or possibly the flywheel?? My F.I.L. told me he replaced the motor about five years ago but hasn't touched anything else.

Please, if you have any suggestions, include diagrams or links to something I can search for. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[mechanic mark]

Post model number and any other numbers you can find on engine, frame, etc. along with model name, thanks.

 

[davbell22602]

How many volts do you have on the battery? Its a 12v battery.

 

[DaveTN]

Have you tried jumping it off with cables say from a car, or portable booster? Get someone to help you and take the hot lead from the jumper cables and go to the starter positive terminal on the starter first. Make SURE the mower is out of gear! Have someone sitting on it if possible with clutch in etc. so all the safety items are covered. When you want it to crank over, take the ground cable and touch it somewhere on the frame, pedal, anything metal and it should crank over. First turn the switch off so it won't start up but the starter will spin. That should tell you whether the starter is good or not when you take the ground cable and touch it to the frame of the mower. That starter should spin, even if it's not starting the engine since you are bypassing all the safety switches. Then try again with the switch ON and see if it will start and run. It should start and run; there's a faulty safety switch somewhere in it, or maybe a bad switch at the key.

 

[tybilly]

did you check the fuse?