DR MOWER won't start

[Nik]

I have a 5 year old electric start 12.4 hp Tecumseh engine DR mower model.
Today when I turned the key to start it, clicking noises result and the flywheel turns partly but not enough to engage the engine. I tried severl times without success. My guess is that maybe the battery is run down and does not have enough charge to fully crank over the engine. The mower worked well yesterday. I did add gas yesterday but the mower ran fine after that so I do not think this is a fuel problem. I do use stabilizer in the gas. The battery is about 5 or 6 years old. How would you troubleshoot this problem?

 

[Inspector507]

I have a 5 year old electric start 12.4 hp Tecumseh engine DR mower model.
Today when I turned the key to start it, clicking noises result and the flywheel turns partly but not enough to engage the engine. I tried severl times without success. My guess is that maybe the battery is run down and does not have enough charge to fully crank over the engine. The mower worked well yesterday. I did add gas yesterday but the mower ran fine after that so I do not think this is a fuel problem. I do use stabilizer in the gas. The battery is about 5 or 6 years old. How would you troubleshoot this problem?

Battery

 

[frank_f15]

clean the battery terminals and if that don't work try jumping it, but it truley does sond like a bad battery

 

[Iplayfarmer]

It's most likely your battery (especially judging from the age of the battery).

If cleaning the terminals (and the top of the battery) with a weak solution of baking soda doesn't cure the problem, take the battery into the parts store and have them test it. You'll probably have to leave it for a day or so because they'll want to charge it fully before testing it.

If the battery checks out O.K., the next step is to look at the charging system and then maybe the starter.

 

[Fordlords]

All I can say is if you got 5 or 6 years out of that battery, you did very-VERY good! Usually if you get 3 or 4 out of them its a miracle

-Fordlords-

 

[Nik]

I ordered a new battery frm DR. This is a 12 volt battery. Tomorrow I am going try using a 12 v Jump-Start System to start the mower. I am charging ths device as recommended by the Manufacture. Got this for X-mas and had forgotten about it. It is a rechargeable 12v battery and air compressor amd has jumper cables wiyh it. Will report back after using it.

 

[Nik]

Started the DR mower with this 12v Jump-start system. It turned over right away and ran perfectly. I then shut it off and tried without the jumper battery. Same thing as before. The battery is actually 6 yrs old as I bought the DRmower in June 2000. I have a new battery on order.