Ok, I know this is a firebird forum, but I thought Id post a quick non starting question here since I cant find a decent lawnmower forum. Plus, almost all starting problems seem fairly universal.
Its a 1995 Toro wheelhorse with a 12.5 Briggs single engine. Over the past few weeks its been taking longer to start, and eventually I had to jump start it to get it to start. Once running, it runs fine. But the following week, again, it would have to be jumped to get it started. *btw: I used the Firebird to jump it each time...so theres my common firebird thread..
Anyway, last night I finished mowing and started to lawn sweep. Knowing it didnt want to start without a jump, I left it running, added more gas, hitched up the sweeper and started to sweep.
Within a pass or two on the lawn, it start to smell like rubber burning. It also sounded as if the PTO (mower) was trying to engage, even though it wasnt engaged.
I shut it off, and looked it over and found nothing burning. When I went to restart it, via a jump with the firebird, nothing... just a few clicks, like the solenoid is clicking. The engine would not turn over. I tried the Mrs. car jumping, nothing. I put the battery charger on it, and it showed weak (only 6). I left it charging for a few hrs, came back, it hadnt improved.
Is this battery dead to the point that its preventing me from even jumping it to start?
Is it possible to remove the battery, and try to jump the mower without the battery?
Or does it sound like solenoid?
The engine had plenty of oil, so it wouldnt have seized up and acted like that, would it?
Tonight I planned on getting a new battery, cleaning the cables, grounds, (I was putting off getting a new battery as we're shopping for a new mower anyway an didnt want to spend more money on this old mower Ill be selling or giving away).
If the new battery doesnt make a difference.. I guess the next step is solenoid? Starter? I checked the fuses and they were all fine.
