How to Fix a Riding Lawn Mower That Won't Start: Engine Clicks But Doesn't Crank

This #diy video shows how to #diagnose and #repair a riding lawn mower that won't start even though you hear a click when you turn the key.

This video shows what to do if your riding lawn mower engine clicks when you turn the key but won’t turn over. A bad starter solenoid often causes this problem—but not always. The mower could have a bad starter motor, a wiring failure, a weak battery or a locked-up engine. We'll show you how to find out what's wrong.

(0:00) Introduction
(0:27) Step 1: Check for a weak battery
(1:38) Step 2: Check the battery cables
(3:05) Step 3: Test the starter solenoid
(3:47) Step 4: Test the starter cable
(5:10) Step 5: Check for a seized engine

Or call 1-800-437-1673 to speak with a parts specialist.

The video includes these parts and tools. Look up your model to make sure you get the right parts for your mower.
Red battery cable
Starter solenoid
Starter motor

Find riding mower parts at

Or click here to schedule an appointment with a repair technician.

[alangreene]

This is how all how-to videos should be produced. Excellent job, Sir.

[anchormaninc]

That Gentleman made the best how-to video I have ever seen. Simple and decisive directions. Please have him make more!

[stevevc]

Perfect Video! No Stories, dogs, music distracting viewers. Lol.
Very Clear and Specific. Great Job. Thanks Very Much.

[banjovet]

This gentleman has all the makings of a great teacher! Very useful video for those of us trying to figure out our electrical problems on our mowers. Thanks so much.

[woozyinyahead]

That dudes a beast, great step by step without getting too much into the weeds

[TheBigPollack]

This is a very good video that I used to diagnose why my lawn tractor wasn't starting. Be sure to pay attention to the chart @1:18 when testing the volts of your current battery. To double check that my battery was the problem and not the solenoid or starter, I hooked a pair of jump cables (or a jump start box could work too) to my truck and tried to start the lawnmower. It started right up which reinforced my troubleshooting with the voltmeter that the battery was the culprit.

[GSC]

I've got the click but no crank issue and will be diagnosing the problem tomorrow, thanks to Wayne's clear and concise instructions. Thanks!

[MultiPascher]

Great troubleshoot video. Simple, straight forward, with no extra BS. Thank you for the video.

[theshelftv]

This is the kind of guy I trust giving me engine advise

[JoeMal-qyjt]

concise and to the point covering all the steps in order - Great video

[johntracy]

Outstanding instructional video! Give Wayne a raise.

[aridaniels]

For the life of me, I can't figure out why ~200 people would down-vote this video. It was excellent!

[fernandogarcia]

Finally somebody with straight to the point help!! Best video !!

[petebutler]

Watch this video to the very end, the simple 'turn the engine' did the trick for me! Motor was jammed up just enough to lock up the starter, once i gave it a turn or two with a large socket, the starter fired the motor right up!!! Thank you sir for your helpful video !!!!

[codesautomotivechannel]

One of the most thorough repair videos I have seen. Very well done sir.

[RocketJSquirrel]

Absolutely excellent. Clear and concise. Love this man's videos!!

[Oldpaint]

Around 3:41, you're hoping for 12+ volts (it shows 12.29 in the video). Or nothing. However, with two different solenoids (one out-of-the-package new), I'm getting readings of 11.5/11.6. Hooked everything up again anyway, but still just get the click. Going to go pound my head against the shed a few times to try to figure out what to do next.

[ralopez]

one of the best explanations of how to repair, to Riding Lawn Mower fast and to the point ... Thanks

[susanp.pfeiffer]

Definitely the best 'How To" video on a lawnmower issue I have ever seen. Thanks!!!

[fatdaddysfrenchies]

Finally a "how to" video that gives clear instructions and is only as long as it needs to be. All meat and potatoes. Thank you sir, my mower is back in action!