Why lawn mower wont start

Make sure it is dry and clean. If you recently did some maintenance on the mower and disconnected or replaced the spark plug, it's possible the connection isn't tight. The crankshaft is connected to the blade shaft on your recoil start walk behind lawn mower, so if the pull cord is stuck, it could be because something is blocking the movement of the blade.

Disconnect the spark plug for safety, then take a look under the deck. Clean out any grass or rocks that may be locking up the blade.

If the mower deck housing is clean, here are a few other reasons that might make the pull cord hard to pull:. Created with Sketch. Click to learn about potential shipping delays. Toggle menu Login or Sign Up 0. It's simply burning off while the engine is hot. But if you're seeing lighter colored smoke, plus have trouble keeping your mower running, it's time for a serious look by a professional.

Of course, there are those cases when special tools or skills are needed to make a fix, or DIY attempts aren't doing the trick. View solutions for handling the most common engine and product troubleshooting and maintenance questions. All rights reserved. Change Region. United States. New Zealand. Latin America. Push Mower Engines. Riding Mower Engines. Commercial Power. Racing Engines. So you have organized a lawn party at home this weekend, you have decided to clean your premises all by yourself.

So you take out your lawn mower and reach the most disgusting part. Your lawn mower is not starting. Now your mind is starting to have many questions.

You might have either thought of taking your machine to a service provider or you might have gone to the extent of buying a new one. But wait! Before taking this decision, wait and check for some of the basic issues that your mower might have encountered. I have mentioned six reasons for your mower to not work and steps to improve this.

It is always better to check the spark plug. You might even have to check for the air filters before checking the spark plug. If the air filter is clean then you can proceed to check the spark plug.

Always take all precautionary measures before starting to work with these. You must check if the spark plug is wet first. If it is wet then this would be the primary reason for the mower to not start. Then you should clean it thoroughly with a carburetor cleaner. In case there is oil leftover in the spark plug then you should the necessary solution to clean the spark plug. Once the cleaning is over, you must dry the spark plug before putting it back into the mower.

Now you can start the mower, and if it starts then this is the problem and you can fix using the above solution. If it does not work then try replacing the spark plug with a new one.

When purchasing a new one, be sure to buy the right product from the right manufacturer that is mentioned in your manual. If it is not the right product then your mower might not start.

Now, let us check the second reason. Use a socket wrench to unscrew the spark plug and remove it. Check the electrode and insulator. If you see buildup, spray brake cleaner onto the plug, and let it soak for several minutes before wiping it with a clean cloth. Reinstall the spark plug, first by hand, and then with a socket wrench for a final tightening. If the problem persists, consider replacing the spark plug.

This colorfully named safety bar must be held in place by the operator for the engine to start or run. When the bar is released, the engine stops. Fortunately, replacing a broken control cable is an easy job. You may, however, have to wait a few days to get the part. Grass clippings can clog the mower deck, especially while mowing a wet lawn, preventing the blade from turning. With the mower safely turned off, tip it over onto its side and examine the underbelly.

If there are large clumps of cut grass caught between the blade and deck, use a trowel to scrape these clippings free. When the deck is clean again, set the mower back on its feet and start her up. You pull the cord a few times, but the engine just sputters and dies. It could have something to do with the fuel cap.