Toro Model #20334 Walk Behind Mower won't Start

I have a 3 year old Toro 22" Recycler electric start mower that I bought at Home Depot, model #20334. Last fall, I laid it up for the winter per the manual. This spring I put fresh gas and oil in it, sharpened the blade, charged the battery and turned the key. It cranked over, started, ran a short while and quit. Now it cranks over but won't start. It appears that I'm getting no spark. I have no wiring diagram or any useful manual to help me diagnose the problem. Has anyone else had this starting problem? How about some suggestions on what the problem might be and what to do about it. I'd like to fix it myself, if I can, before I take it to a mower shop. Thanks for any help.

tommy b

 

I would look for bad gas. Did you try starting it with the eletric starter.or rope starter?

 

Electric. It cranks like a bandit. So that tells me the 40 amp fuse is good, right? When I shorted the spark plug lead to the plug with a screwdriver (with a small gap) I got no spark. I agree. the first thing I thought of was bad gas, so I replaced it with fresh gas and no luck. I checked the gap on the plug. 0.020" (per spec). I noticed the plug tip was wet with gas when I pulled it out. There's no throttle adjustment and no choke on this thing so I'm pretty much at a loss as to what to do next. Is there a wiring diagram available? Or maybe an operator's manual? I'm pretty sure there are no points on it, so maybe the coil? I don't want to start throwing money at it blindly.

 

Check to be sure the cable that runs to the deadman bar is pulling the kill switch far enough to turn the ignition on.

 

I assume you put in a new spark plug? I'm thinking a bad plug,or its flooded.

 

It appears to have been the plug. I find it hard to believe that a 3 year old spark plug would go bad. But when I replaced it, she fired right up. daswede, it could also have something to do with flooding. When I first cranked it this morning it ran for about ten seconds and quit. I pulled the old plug and it was covered with gas. I'll see how the new plug works again after lunch. Thanks for your help.

tommy b

 

Runs like a champ, (also like a well known ape)

tommy b

 

Good to hear.......

Glad we were able to help

 

John Galt was the hero in "Atlas Shrugged" Was this a test? Do I win a prize?

WML13

 

If you read the novel or watch the movies, you'll see that it is more of a statement than a question. "Who is John Galt" was an oft repeated question in the Atlas Shrugged novels that became a phrase. I think the novels were written in the 1950s but they relate to society more today than ever before. I chose it as a signature line because of it.

 

I was doing a lot of required reading for College lit classes (early 70s), at the time, heard of the book, but never was required to read it. I will have to get a copy now!

Have a great day!
WML13