7 Reasons Your Zero Turn Mower Won’t Turn Over
What do you think the reason is for the non-operation of your Zero Turn Mower Won’t Turn Over? Is your mower having problems, and you are trying to figure out what the right solution is to your problem? In fact, zero-turn mowers are used by many people because they require less effort and time to mow a large lawn than traditional mowers, since they are designed to be ridden.
There is nothing more frustrating than finally finding time in your busy schedule to mow your lawn only to learn that your zero-turn mower won’t turn over when it is finally time to do it. You might run into this problem at some point. I will try to give you a few tips on how to resolve it so you can get your mower functioning again.
There are many reasons why a zero-turn mower might not start: a dead battery, loose or corroded wires, corroded terminals, blown fuses, defective ignition switches, failed safety switches, and faulty starters.
Zero-turn starting systems should be handled with caution. Your zero-turn model’s operator’s manual outlines all safety precautions you should follow.
Reasons Why Your Zero Turn Mower Won’t Turn Over
Zero-turn mower battery dead or bad
Low-voltage batteries, hard-start engines, bulging and overcorroded batteries, batteries that have a hard time charging, batteries that cannot hold a charge altogether, and batteries that have a hard time starting engines will often show these symptoms.
Dead batteries will prevent a zero turn from turning over. If your battery isn’t holding a charge, charge it and check it. A battery must be replaced if it does not hold a charge.
Solution
The mower should be turned on. You should wait a few minutes before trying to start the mower again if it won’t start. The negative black clip must first be disconnected once the motor has begun, followed by the positive red clip once the motor has started. To ensure that the alternator has enough time to charge the battery backup, it is recommended that you drive the mower for around 20 minutes before beginning.
Is your zero turn mower having loose wires or connections?
Make sure that your zero-turn’s electrical wires and connections are in good working order. You may experience loosening of your connections when using your zero-turn if you are operating itwith constant vibration. It is also possible for water to collect in your connections, which can corrode them and prevent them from functioning properly.
Solution
A baking soda solution and a wire brush will help you remove corrosion from connections. A solution made of baking soda and water can be made by adding two cups of water to three heaping tablespoons of baking soda. Replace your terminals and connections if they are severely corroded.
If there are any breaks in continuity or damaged wires between the starting components, replace or repair them.
Mower with a damaged fuse
The fuse in your house could be blown when an appliance stops working or won’t power on. In the case of a blown fuse, your mower will not start. Checking your fuses prior to operating the mower is therefore a sound idea.
Solution
There may be a situation in which you need to replace a fuse if it is damaged or not working. The riding mower battery may be OK, but if you turn the ignition key to start the engine, nothing happens and the battery remains steady then you might have a blown fuse in your riding mower.
Mower ignition switch problems
If you insert the ignition key into the ignition and turn it but nothing happens after that, it may be the ignition key switch that is problematic. It is likely that your zero turn won’t turn over and won’t start.
Solution
The ignition switch should be checked for continuity using a multimeter to determine if the problem lies with the ignition switch. You will need to look for a prong that is marked B for the battery and S for the starter solenoid in order to do this.
Turn the key to the starting position and insert the key. The B prong of the multimeter should be connected to the S prong of the multimeter. The S prong should be touched to the B prong of the multimeter.
When a key switch is working properly, its resistance will be close to zero ohms. It may be necessary to replace an ignition key switch if it measures infinite resistance.
Your zero turn mower has a bad starter solenoid
When your zero-turn engine is turned on, the starter solenoid activates an electromagnetic switch to initiate the starter motor.
Getting a faulty starter solenoid can cause your zero-turn to not start if the spring or copper plate corrodes. Solenoid failures can also be caused by weak starters, faulty batteries, or damaged grounds.
A fully charged battery is required before testing the starter solenoid.
Zero-turn mower with a bad safety switch
There may also be times when a faulty safety switch causes a trip to occur. Most of the time, however, people tend to stop the safety switch from shutting off because their safety switch has broken or worn out (which is their intended function).
Solution
Replace them if they get stuck or do not trip when you rotate them, and if they get stuck or do not trip when you rotate them.
Make sure that you never operate a lawn mower without turning on the safety switch. Whenever it is possible to bypass a safety switch on a mower, it should never be used. You never know when you are soon to be in need of a safety switch, and you may end up saving yourself from serious injury.
A zero turn mower with a bad starter
Having eliminated the possibility that your zero-turn won’t start because of the battery, cables, wiring, ground, or starter solenoid, it’s time to take a look at the starter as the probable cause. It is possible to remove the starter and test it separately.
Solution
The first thing I would recommend is that you take your zero-turn to your local repair shop, which specializes in replacing starters and alternators if necessary, and have them check your starter and rebuild it if possible before simply replacing the starter with a brand new one.
In Summary/Conclusion
There are some things that you can do if none of the above items resolve the problem with your Zero Turn Mower Won’t Turn Over, such as reading your lawnmower manual or consulting with a lawnmower expert near you if you have tried them all. Best wishes to you all!
