DR brush mower wont start

[bjs14]

DR brush mower 14.5 hp. Was using it, had a stick hit the throttle cable and it reved up, so I shut it down. Went to turn it on and I saw the hot ( red) battery terminal smoking and would only intermittently crank. I have 2 mowers and figured it was the starter solenoid, so I swapped them. Same thing happened. Checked battery voltage it was 12.6v. Just to be sure I swapped the batteries. Same thing happened. Pulled the starter and tested it with a battery, it worked good. Not sure what I am missing, but the positive battery cable gets hot when trying to start it and the starter won't continuously crank the motor. I can spin the motor by hand. All help is appreciated.

 

[stevem5215]

When I've seen this it was always due to corrosion inside the terminal on the wire. Excess resistance due to corrosion inside the terminal will cause heat and current enough to melt things.

 

[bjs14]

So you think a new battery cable would do the trick?

 

[Richard001]

So you think a new battery cable would do the trick?

Actually you don't need a new cable. If the cable is long enough, you can just clip off the terminal back about 1/4" from the melted area and put on a new connector. Unless you you have the proper crimping tools, I suggest that you solder the new terminal on to the cable.

Richard

 

[bjs14]

I swapped the cables. Both battery cables and the cable running from the solenoid to the starter. Same thing. Took out the spark plug and it cranked good. Put it back in and it's like I have to much compression

 

[Squirrel's242]

Something in the starting or charge system is deficient. Get out the multimeter and manual and start chasing connections. You've got some part of the system that is outside the acceptable range.

Go and physically touch - undo, clean and reseat grounds and connections. While there might be something to just check resistance on each wire. It's possible the throttle cable isn't the only one that's been pulled/pushed/yanked during it's life of work. Brush mowers get into rough spots. Ours had one of the control knobs on top ripped off by a tree limb during a pass. It happens. Limbs will grab the control levers too. Maybe check tension and length on your cables, lube them if you need. IDK how many hours or where you are in your maintenance but maybe time to bring it in for a little bit and scrutinize everything, you might come across the problem just giving it looksies. Otherwise, start digging so you don't burn your mower down.

 

[bjs14]

It was the compression release on the camshaft. Found it in peices at the bottom of the engine

 

[Richard001]

It was the compression release on the camshaft. Found it in peices at the bottom of the engine

Thanks for letting us know. Still surprised that the cable to the starter would get hot enough to melt the cover. I would suggest that the cable is undersized.