skip to main content

Toro riding mower trouble starting

14 years ago

First, I don't know much about engines. I have a Toro Z5000 riding mower, about 2 yrs old, and this season it has trouble starting. Battery cables were not disconnected over the winter.

I turn the key, engine starts to crank, I can see the flywheel(?) starting to turn, it almost starts up, then it seems to lose its juice and I hear what I'll describe as an electrical buzz, maybe the starter mower getting power and not turning. At this point I stop trying to get it to turn over, and give it a 1 minute cool down.

2 wks ago when this started, I didn't have my voltmeter around, so I don't know what the battery was then. I was able to jump it from my car with no problem. I let it run, hoping the alternator would charge it. That didn't work because a few days later I was only barely able to get it started again. A cheap battery charger said the battery was already charged.

Finally got my voltmeter back, and V_battery is around 16 or 17V, with the mower on or off. I have good connections of battery cables to the block, etc.

Any suggestions? Does this mean the battery is bad, or that the alternator is trying to charge it to too high a voltage?

Also, does this explain why it has trouble starting? I know more voltage doesn't necessarily mean more power, but I'm just curious if there's another issue besides high V_Batt.

My charger has a "check alternator" function. Haven't tried it yet though.

Engine is a Kohler SV610S.

Thanks / sorry for the long post.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

mjdeez
Original Author
14 years ago
I've been reading around... My next step will be to disconnect the battery again, measure the voltage. If it's around 12.6 - 14V disconnected, sounds like its a bad regulator in the alternator.
0
rcbe
14 years ago
Remove the battery and take it to a qualified shop that can LOAD test it. While the battery is out, clean both terminals (both on the battery AND the wires) to clean bare metal before hooking back up - with either the proven old battery or a new battery.
0
Related Discussions
Toro 13hp Riding Mower
Q
Comments (2)
It would be a 28" Briggs OHv. Lots of posts on excessive valve lash causing the compression release not to function.
...See More
toro gts mower 6.5 hp engine will not start
Q
Comments (20)
I have a problem just like this one my toro was running pretty good only thing was you had to pump it everytime u started it even if you just shut it off for a second after running it for 30mins my partner decided to clean the ball out now the pump leaks when u pump it and for a day we were pouring gas in the carb to get it started now after we do that it just stalls out im not sure what he did and either is he i wish he would have left it alone the season is almost over this isnt my post so if anyone has any advice for me please email me at gballer823@gmail.com i am going to try and get it fixed myseld tomorrow afternoon thank you. Greg
...See More
toro riding lawn mower - 8+32/belt replacement and upkeep!
Q
Comments (11)
5/24/07 Hi Guys! Thanks for all the help. Sorry I used my Ebay handle here "RCS14420" instead of my handle and nick name Tbone123. Don't want to confuse anyone. I like this site and have contributed to others as well. I've learned a lot of great stuff on several issues and events from trial and errors over the years as well as posting from others here. I will follow up on the link correction and get back to you. Thanks to all. Have a great Memorial Day; let us not forget what it is for and why. God bless America and the Veterans who have given their lives to make us free! Tbone123 and/or RCS14420.
...See More
toro 12 20xl riding mower transmission
Q
Comments (11)
it is a 12 32xl model number 71188 serial number is 7902436. it is jacked up. you can turn each axle and they spin free of each other. as in. when you spin one wheel the other wheel does nothing. nor does the pulley. you can do this in all gears. you can start the motor and let out clutch and the pulley just spins free. no wheel movement. i was wondering where that cable from the shifter went. the only place i can find is on the clutch. i wondered if it went somewhere on the rearend and was needed to engage the trans. the weird thing is. before i put the belt on and when the trans was in gear. the pulley would only turn about a 1/4 inch each way. but in nuetral it would spin free. i had to have it nuetral to spin the belt on cause it would not spin free when it was in gear. once i got on the unit after putting on the belt. i started it an let out clutch and nothing. so i look down and see the pulley is spinning and the unit is not moving. no matter what gear i select. sorry about the model number being wrong. don't know what i was thinking. and thanks alot for the help.
...See More
mjdeez
Original Author
14 years ago
Open circuit voltage (after 8 hours disconnected) was ~14V. Reconnected it and started up ok, but V_battery was 17V when the motor was on. Back to 14 when disconnected again. Any chance this could cause my problem?

I'll get the battery tested.
0
tomplum
14 years ago
Your battery should be 12.6vdc with the engine not running. Ask the battery tester place what they show w/o load. Your meter sounds off. Running voltage should be higher- depending on what's happening high 12's to 15 or so VDC. Also check for AC voltage at the battery when it is running. Should be zero. Clean those terminals just like rcbe directed.
0
mjdeez
Original Author
14 years ago
I had the battery tested, and it was bad.

Replaced the battery, and it reads 15.6V with the motor running, 13.6V with the motor off, and 12.6V with the battery disconnected.

Motor starts fine now, but I'm worried that the high charging voltage will damage the new battery.

I checked the meter, it's accurate.
0
tomplum
14 years ago
"13.6V with the motor off" I don't get it. WHere is the extra volt sneaking in? Been adding liquid voltage to your fuel? Unless this is really cooking the battery? 15.6 probably isn't a deal breaker, but higher than desired for continuous charging. You could charge your battery and retest seeing if it is still high. I think Kohler likes you to buy a regulator if it is over 14.8? Verify also no AC heading into the battery and no draw. You should download the manual (it's free)ENter as guest.

Here is a link that might be useful: kohler
0

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Garage

By Laura Gaskill

Stop fearing that dirty dumping ground and start using it as the streamlined garage you’ve been wanting

LANDSCAPE DESIGN California Says Goodbye to the Sprawling Ornamental Lawn

By Annie Thornton

New state rules will effectively limit turfgrass to 25 percent of the landscape in most new and renovated yards

FALL GARDENING 5 Ways to Put Fall Leaves to Work in Your Garden

By Therese Ciesinski

Improve your soil and yard the organic way with a valuable garden booster that grows on trees

PETS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Summer-Loving Dog!

By Mitchell Parker

Share a photo of your pooch kicking back in the backyard, helping you in the workshop or enjoying your favorite summer getaway

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Is It Time to Consider Fake Grass?

By J. Peterson Garden Design

With more realistic-looking options than ever, synthetic turf can be a boon. Find the benefits and an installation how-to here

HOUSEKEEPING How to Tackle Your Home To-Dos

By Laura Gaskill

Make quick work of minor repairs and replacements with this thorough, step-by-step approach

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Gardening for the Bees, and Why It’s a Good Thing

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

When you discover how hard bees work for our food supply, you may never garden without them in mind again

MOST POPULAR 40 Dogs Who Are Having a Way Better Summer Than You

By Mitchell Parker

Houzzers share pics of their canine companions living it up — or getting down with relaxing — on warm days

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden

By June Scott Design

New project for a new year: Lose the turfgrass for energy savings, wildlife friendliness and lower maintenance

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Kitchen Design Tips for Foodies

By Christine Tusher

If you own at least one pricey knife and have a slew of kitchen tools, you’ll want to read this

Sponsored

Kuhns Contracting, Inc.

26 Reviews

Central Ohio's Trusted Home Remodeler Specializing in Kitchens & Baths

More Discussions

Mower Blade rotation

1

Battery question on John Deere E130

2