Engine Troy-Bilt mower won't start

[John ::& Marjorie]

My Troy-Bilt 21" Model 830 12BV835Q74 mower with a Honda engine won't start cold because the automatic choke plate doesn't snap closed. A tap on the air-cleaner box will flip it shut. Any ideas?

 

[possum]

Im curious what the fix is for these. I do not own one but see quite a few folks yanking on the pull ropes all afternoon trying to get them started.