I haven't the faintest idea what ENGINE your mower has and don't plan to look it up.

IF I knew what make, model engine you have, I might have a suggestion.

Walt Conner

Inspect the connections for being clean and tight at the battery, solenoid,ignition switch, starter and engine ground. The solenoids are somewhat problematic. One of the little terminals will be grounded with the safety system on line (white?) and the other small terminal gets 12v activation when the switch is turned (purple or black). Hopefully my color recollection doesn't lead you astray. (It is the relay w/ 4 poles to which the + bat terminal runs to .) Your 917 # under the seat would be helpful if more help is needed. Good luck.

IF the suggestions above did not do the job, then I am still waiting for the engine make and model number.

Walt Conner

Walt and tom appreciate your feed back, I haven't been able to get out to my shed yet. we are dealing with the remnants of hurricane hanna so its a little wet out there.
Tom I will give your theory a try. Walt aS SOON AS I GET THE MODEL # i'LL GET BACK TO YOU
Thanks again for your interest and help.
Greg

917. 275751 is the model # if that helps
     Thanks

See my first post.

Walt Conner

geu1918, I think walt wanted the engine number and you gave the mower number.

Other than that, The starter solinoid has been a problem for me on many vehicles (tractors, mowers, cars, etc). I also had a safety switch go bad, preventing the solinoid from being activated.

If you happen to have jumper cables, they could be used to provide power from battery around the solinoid and direct to the starter if desired.

BTW, I have seen two types of solinoids. one with 3 wires and one with 4 wires. Both have a large wire from the battery and another large wire to the starter. then a small wire (to the coil in the solinoid) that provides power to make the solinoid click. the fourth wire provides the ground (frame) path for the coil when such connection isn't done inside the solinoid. The ones that have failed for me have had the connection for the heavy wires fail to make contact, even though they still click. Safety switches will exist in the small wires ( ie. the energising or coil circuit) of the solinoid.

JerryO

18.5 kohlor

incredulous?

geu1918, {{gwi:349386}} somewhere on your engine is a decal like the one shown here. Try to get at least the MODEL # from this decal and post that number and maybe this thread will beging moving toward resolving at least part of your plight.

Sorry for my ignorance when it comes to this
18.5 hp ohv
intek
family5bsxs.5012vp
276016
thanks greg

Well.........................you have managed to find the EPA EMISSIONS certificate. This is not a KOHLER engine. It is a BRIGGS & STRATTON engine. Can you go back and try to find a decal that has 3 numbers on it? They will be listed as: Model #, Type, and Code.

You may find the model number stamped into the valve cover. Model number 31----, I'd GUESS.

IF so, your symptoms are somewhat those of needing the valves adjusted and like many others you have bought a new battery and the next step would be a new starter. However, just clicking is not quite those symptoms. Generally they turn up to compression and no further. Several attempts may get it to turn over.

Can you be more specific and post the model numbers.

Walt Conner

Engine should be a-
Briggs 31P777-0371-E1, IF the Sears # is indeed 917. 275751.

IF it is a 31 series, you have the classic symptoms of needing the valves adjusted. I have detailed instructions for adjusting the valves of this engine IF you would like to have them.

Walt Conner
wconner5 at verizon dot net (put in proper format)