how to test lawn tractor starter

Lawn tractors are an essential part of maintaining a lush and well-manicured lawn. However, your lawn tractor won’t start if the starter is not working properly. Testing your lawn tractor starter can help identify any problems with it before it fails completely and leaves you with an uncut lawn.

Preparation

Before testing the lawn tractor starter, you need to wear protective clothing like gloves and safety glasses, make sure the tractor is parked on a level surface, and disconnect the spark plug to avoid accidental starting. Once you’ve done that, you can then proceed to locate the starter solenoid.

Testing the Starter

Testing the starter is an easy process. Start by placing a voltmeter onto the positive terminal of the battery. Then, press the starter button while taking a reading of the voltage. If the reading is lower than 10.5 volts, it means there’s not enough battery power, and you need to charge or replace the battery. If the voltage is good, check the starter cable connection to ensure it’s tight and not corroded.

Testing the Starter Solenoid

If you’ve ruled out battery and cable issues, then the starter solenoid could be the problem. The solenoid is responsible for channeling electrical current from the battery to the starter motor. To test it, use a multimeter to check the resistance between the two solenoid terminals. Then, while pressing the starter button, check the voltage on the smaller terminal. If the voltage shows up, but the starter doesn’t work, the solenoid could be faulty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, testing your lawn tractor starter is a simple process that can be done in a few steps. Whether it’s a battery, cable, or solenoid problem, identifying and fixing the issue promptly ensures your lawn tractor is always ready to work. Remember to always follow safety guidelines when working on your lawn tractor, and if you’re unsure about any steps, consult your user manual or an expert mechanic.