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Starter Spins but doesn't engage

15 years ago

I can't seem to figure this out. I have an older craftsman lawn tractor with a briggs and stratton engine. I turn the key and the starter spins, but I'm guessing that it is suppose to jump up and turn the engine over, but that doesn't happen. Here's what I've tried so far.

Different Battery

Touching the post on the solenoid

touching the post on the starter

All of the above with the pole reversed on the battery

I've also tried everything with my car battery.

Everything is the same result, only spins never lifts. I took my old started in the be looked at and got it replaced with a new one. I've tried everything with both the old starter and the new one. Should the starter engage the engine when I touch the post on the starter itself.

Engine is a Briggs 281707-0137-01

Tractor is a Craftsman, not sure the model number, but it say's silver bullet on the back and there is a sticker on the seat that says Model C 4 9 60411.

Featured Answer

johntommybob

15 years ago

There was another recent post about this same problem. That problem turned out to be the starter was running backward because the battery was hooked up backward. DC motors run backward if you reverse the poles.

I guess the next thing I would want to know, if the poles are hooked up right, is if the starter gear is jumping out as it should to mate up with the flywheel. It should do this (extend out) even if it is laying on a bench when the power is hooked to it.

If it is then the only other things it could be is the flywheel is missing some teeth (You could turn the engine by hand and get the flywheel to turn some and check this), or the shaft on the starter is not long enough the meet up with the flywheel gears. I replaced a starter on my old Ford truck, and the first one they gave me was to short to work. It fit fine, but the shaft was too short.

Good luck.

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Comments (8)

jascott7
Original Author
15 years ago
I've uploaded an image. I hope it works. On the image, Part 1 and Part 2 both spin, I imagine that Part 1 should lift up and turn the engine, that does not seem to be happening in my situation. I'm pretty sure that the battery is connected properly, but just in case I tried it both ways and it is the same problem. The only thing that plugs into the started is the cable from the solenoid, is that correct?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayscott1/3501914238/

Here is a link that might be useful: Starter
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***" did i mabey get a bad battery?"*** It's possible, but it would be wise to find out if the engine's charging system is even working before you take the new battery back for an argument. Get a volt meter, set it to "DC Volts". Connect one lead to the battery positive post and the other to the battery negative post. If this battery is fully charged (which I doubt) it should show at least 12.6 volts and maybe even as high as 13.2 volts. Anything less than 12.6 and the battery certainly has not had a charge. Record the exact volt reading on a piece of note paper. Next, perform your jump start trick and do it as quickly as possible (meaning don't leave the jumper cables connected for longer than it takes to get your engine running). Disconnect the jumper cables as soon as your tractor engine is running. While running your tractor engine at max RPM, connect your volt meter to the battery again as you did before. Hopefully, the reading you see will be higher than the first time you checked the voltage. Write down the present reading. Let the engine run about 5 minutes and recheck the voltage reading, write down the reading. After 5 minutes run time, connect the volt meter to the battery again. This reading should be even a bit higher than the previous reading after the engine began running. If none of the readings show any increase in voltage (or if the voltage actually decreases) the engine charging system is defective. If that turns out to be true, we will need the model and type numbers of the engine before going further with testing.
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zoulas
15 years ago
I has a similar problem and it turned out that the starter gear (nylon) was worn, So it seemed like the started was spinning but not engaging. Meanwhile, the starter was working fine. Just needed a $1 starter gear.
jascott7
Original Author
15 years ago
I had a look at the gear and all the teeth are in good shape. I watch it when I put power to it and it only spins never moves up to come in contact with the engine.
walt2002
15 years ago
Well check that the gear moves easily manually. That it isn't stuck on the spiral drive.

"All of the above with the pole reversed on the battery "

"but just in case I tried it both ways and it is the same problem. "

This is certain to have burned out the charging system OR a fuse if it happened to be fuse protected but doubt it was fuse protected.

Walt Conner
jascott7
Original Author
15 years ago
I figured it out last night. I think the battery wasn't properly grounded. I grabbed some jumper cables and put one end on the negative terminal on the battery, and the other end on a bolt on the engine block, after that it started right up.

Thanks for all the help.
DARIAN LEE
2 years ago
Was that it, that's the same problem I had yet, I've not put different ground cable on. Can you simply use same on different location.
toxcrusadr
2 years ago
The location really shouldn't matter as long as it's mechanically secure and electrically connected to the chassis. The cable connectors may have corroded and just need cleaning, or something has come loose, etc. The factory ground location should be fine if it's maintained in good shape.

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