Craftsman LT1000 riding mower (Model No. 917.273399), 17.5hp-18.5hp Briggs & Stratton 31P777 engine. When the key is turned to start, flywheel spins 1 time, gets stuck for a half to full revolution, spins 1 time, gets stuck for a half to full revolution, and continues this cycle. With the starter off the flywheel ring, I tried turning it by hand and same results. It feels like there's about 2 or 3 "gummy / rubber" -tensioned areas inside the engine, and they're a little tough to pull through so I can see why the starter would have problems turning this. It's not a full stop, but a gummy-like tension where if you turn it an inch and let it go it'll go back an inch in the other direction. It did go low on oil at one point, but was refilled and does not feel nor sound like there is any metal grinding against each other. I checked underneath and it's not the drive nor mower belt that is giving it this resistance at all. All in all, this resistance prevents the engine from gathering enough speed to start. Jumping with a big rig gives the starter enough juice to overcome the resistance and start (not always on the 1st try though, but its stronger). Another observation while running, is that at low rpm it sputters like something is wrong, but it's completely fine at high rpm. So I suppose whatever it is, it's putting stress on the engine even while running. Any ideas on what it could be? Link to the B&S 31P700 series illustrated parts list. [url]http://www.briggsandstratton.com/pdf/illustrated_parts_list/100/MS5766.pdf[/url] B&S 310000 series Owner's manual. [url]http://www.briggsandstratton.com.mx/pdf/owners_manual/100%5C277766TRI_--Domestic.pdf[/url]

My lawn mower model number is 13AN689G766; motor model number is 31C707 Briggs & Stratton. I got on the mower, tried to start it, but no noise at all. I tried to start it a second time, and it turned over, but never fired, so I turned the key off, but it kept trying to start on its own. I took my foot off the clutch, but it wouldn't stop trying to start, and I finally had to put the throttle lever down to turtle before it would stop. Waited a minute and thought I'd try it again to see what would happen, but this time is tried to start, then turned into a loud humming noise. I pulled it out of the garage in case it blew up, but the whining noise finally just dwindled away. The starter was really hot, and now there is no noise AT ALL when you try and start it. I replaced the solenoid and fuse, but everything is still the same. Any ideas?