Starter Staying Engaged

[gager2002]

I just replaced my starter. The old one was completely burned up. I didn;t know why, other than the sprocket staying engaged with the flywheel. Put the new one on and immediately new that was the problem. What would cause the starter to stay on after the engine is started and you let go of the key? Do I have a bad ignition switch? or a relay somewhere? Any ideas??

Thanks
Richard

 

[BB_TX]

You don't give any informtion at all on the type tractor or any information on the starter. Does it have an external solenoid? If so, did you also replace it? If so, then it certainly sounds like a bad switch, or maybe a relay if it has one.

 

[gager2002]

Opps, I thought I did. It's a 455 lawn tractor.

 

[beenthere]

Just a hint, but you might get some 'hits' on your answers to the lawn tractor if you post under "Lawn and Garden" forum. The TBN is for CUT's, and extra forums have been added for outside interests. That way, if someone is doing a search for 'archived' information, your lawn tractor question might more easily be found. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Good luck with your switch.

 

[755inNY]

Richard,

Many reasons for a starter gear to remain engaged. It might be an electrical problem where the solenoid or relay does not de-energize when the switch is not in the start position. It could also be a lack of lubrication on the armature shaft that the gear rides on and/or a weak return spring. Either could prevent the gear from sliding back away from the flywheel. The solenoid provides the electro-mechanical force to thrust the gear outward. Sometimes in small engines centrifigal force of the spinning starter motor drives the gear out on a splined shaft. In either case a spring acts to force the gear back. Check the teeth on the flywheel to make sure there are none with burrs that could prevent the starter gear from disengaging.

Jeff