Testing a lawnmower starter with a multimeter is a valuable skill for any lawn care enthusiast or DIY enthusiast. The starter motor is a critical component of your lawnmower’s engine, responsible for cranking it to life. If you’re experiencing difficulties starting your lawnmower, it’s essential to determine whether the starter motor is the culprit. Using a multimeter, you can assess the health of the starter motor quickly and accurately.
It is the start of the mowing season, and It’s time to mow the grass, so you reach for your lawnmower and try to switch it on, but there you go, nothing happens. This might indicate that there are a few issues with your lawnmower’s electrical starting system. Most common electrical issues are typically caused by a bad battery or by corroded or damaged cables.
Some of these issues are even due to damaged electrical connectors and components. Testing the starter with a multimeter can help you determine if it’s functioning properly or not. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to test a lawn mower starter with a multimeter. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of testing your lawnmower’s starter motor with a multimeter, enabling you to diagnose and address starting problems effectively.
Tools Required
To test a lawnmower starter, you will need
- A multimeter,
- A fully charged 12-volt battery,
- A socket or combination wrench,
- A screwdriver,
- Three to four jumper cables
- Protective equipment
How To Test Lawnmower Starter With a Multimeter? Step-by-Step
Testing your lawnmower starter with a multimeter can help you quickly diagnose any issues and get your mower up and running again. Testing a lawn mower starter with a multimeter is a straightforward process that can be done in a few simple steps. Here’s a general guide is given.
Turn off the power
Before you begin testing, make sure to turn off the power to the lawn mower. This will help prevent any accidents.
Locate the starter
The starter is typically located near the engine. You may need to refer to your owner’s manual or do a quick online search to find the location of your specific model’s starter.
Step# 1
To check the battery charge, connect a multimeter black lead to the negative battery terminal and its red lead to the positive battery terminal. For a fully charged battery, the voltmeter reading should be close to 12.6 volts. If the voltmeter displays less than 12.4 volts, charge the battery using a battery charger. In order to test the engine starting properly, the battery must be completely charged.
Step# 2
To disconnect the lawnmower battery, use a socket wrench or screwdriver to loosen the battery terminal screws. Next, remove the battery wires and set them away. Examine the battery cable ends and terminals for corrosion and dirt. For a correct electrical charge and circuit, clean corroded or grimy battery terminals and battery cable end with a wire brush. The battery, engine starter solenoid, and engine starter motor all require clean, corrosion-free connections to the electrical circuits, both positive and ground.
Step#3
Check and clean the positive, or red, cable end that connected the battery to the solenoid that controls the engine starting. Using a combination or socket wrench, unscrew the nut holding the battery cable end to the substantial starting solenoid lug. Use a wire brush to remove rust and debris from the big solenoid lug and battery cable end.
Step#4
Check and thoroughly clean the positive or red cable ends that are connected from the other large lug on the engine starter solenoid to the large lug on the engine starter motor. To remove the lugs securing the cable ends to the big starter solenoid lug and large starter motor lug, use a socket wrench or combination wrench. Remove dirt and rust by using a wire brush, and clean the battery cable’s end and the big solenoid lug.
Step#5
On the engine starter solenoid, check and clean the smaller remaining lugs. Remove the screws holding the engine solenoid ground wire and start the switch wire to the tiny solenoid lugs. Three or four lugs, either two large and one tiny or two large and two small are typically seen on mower engine starter solenoids.
Two wires, one from the battery to the solenoid and the other from the solenoid to the starting motor, are connected by the huge lugs. The starting ignition switch is attached to the smaller lug with the letter S, and a ground wire runs from the other tiny lug to the frame of the riding tractor.
Three-lug engine starting solenoids employ the mounting ears of the solenoid as a ground, having just one tiny little lug connecting the solenoid to the starting switch wire.
Step#6
Attach the ends of the battery cable to the battery connections. With a socket wrench, secure the battery terminal screws into the battery terminals.
Step#7
Connect a jumper wire by touching a piece of wire from the large lug that the battery cable uses to attach to the engine starter solenoid to the large lug that the engine starter motor uses to attach to the solenoid. The starting solenoid or engine ignition switch has to be replaced if the starter motor turns on or starts when the jumper wire is attached to the two big solenoid lugs. If the starting motor does not turn over or operate, it has to be replaced since it is broken.
Step#8
To test the starting ignition switch, connect one end of a jumper wire to the positive terminal of the battery and touch the other end to the little nut on the engine starter solenoid that is marked S. The starting ignition switch has to be replaced if the engine starter motor turns on or operates. The engine starting solenoid has to be replaced if it makes a clicking noise but does not turn the engine starter motor.
Conclusion
As we can see, testing a mower starter is simple and can easily be done. Check some other lawnmower components first, then remove the starter and test it. Establish good connections with no loose ends and thoroughly clean all connectors and wire ends. The starter must be changed if it is broken. The above-described step-by-step procedure should help you locate the issue, resolve it, and obtain a properly functioning mower.
Read Also How To Test Golf Cart Motors
FAQs
How can I know if the starter on my lawn mower is damaged?
By connecting a jumper wire from the big lug where the battery cable attaches to the other large lug where the engine starter cable connects, you may test the starter solenoid. The starting solenoid has to be changed if the engine starter motor turns on.
What Causes A Lawn Mower Starter Not To Engage?
If the battery is weak or dead, there are wiring issues in the circuit, the motor Bendix isn’t engaging with the flywheel, or the solenoid has failed, the lawn mower starting may be unresponsive.
What are 2 symptoms that would indicate a faulty starter solenoid?
No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine
Starter Spins Without Fully Engaging the Flywheel
Reference: https://meterreviews.com/how-to-test-starter-with-multimeter/