Bad Craftsman lawnmower starter?
#1
07-25-17, 05:45 PM
Bad Craftsman lawnmower starter?
I have a craftsman t1200 that stopped starting about a month ago. The starter solenoid (I think thats what it is) wouldnt turn over the engine. I could get it to start by using a wrench or screwdriver to touch to the lawnmower body and ground it out. Its a single post. Now it wont even do that. I took the cover off and the starter gear turns, it just wont come up to engage the engine gear. Hopefully the video helps, my description and terminology is probably terrible. Not sure where to go from here.
Thanks,
Dan
https://youtu.be/lFQN0V5P7a0
Thanks,
Dan
https://youtu.be/lFQN0V5P7a0
#2
07-25-17, 06:19 PM
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Hard to tell what engine but from the glimpses in the video, is it a Briggs Intek?
Sure sounds to me like the bushing on your starter is stripped so the gear is not spinning up to engage the ring gear on the flywheel.
Post the engine model and type, should be stamped on the Valve cover if a Briggs, or the model # of the craftsman on a label under the seat.
Sure sounds to me like the bushing on your starter is stripped so the gear is not spinning up to engage the ring gear on the flywheel.
Post the engine model and type, should be stamped on the Valve cover if a Briggs, or the model # of the craftsman on a label under the seat.
#4
07-25-17, 08:13 PM
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Hmmmm well you have a mower made by MTD and it may well have a Powermore engine which is also MTD.(Clone of a Chinese clone...
)
Will need the engine model #'s to see what is available and what starter you have.
)Will need the engine model #'s to see what is available and what starter you have.
#5
07-25-17, 08:41 PM
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This should be your starter if all the previous is correct.
Hard to tell what all you may need until you get it apart, but items 14-17 should be checked and replaced as required.
Always the other option to buy a new starter but buck and a 1/4 is about the going rate.
BTW your engine model number should be formatted such as: 4P90HUB
Hard to tell what all you may need until you get it apart, but items 14-17 should be checked and replaced as required.
Always the other option to buy a new starter but buck and a 1/4 is about the going rate.
BTW your engine model number should be formatted such as: 4P90HUB
#6
07-25-17, 11:28 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
From the video, that's definitely a chinese powermore engine. I have run into this problem several times, the gears in the starter are broken. They are too brittle and break easily. I have saved a few of these starters with different problems and have begun making good starters out of other broken starters because they are so cheap, but not to buy. There is one on Ebay now for $79.00... best price you'll probably find.
#7
07-26-17, 06:10 PM
That definitely looks like it. Maybe a stupid question--how do it get the starter off and apart? I'm thinking the two bolts coming up from the bottom but they are a royal pain to get to.
#8
07-26-17, 06:51 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Just two 12mm head bolts from the side up near the top of the starter. Easy to get off.
Just to clarify, I don't have a starter on ebay, that is someone else's... in case my post sounded like I am selling one.
Just to clarify, I don't have a starter on ebay, that is someone else's... in case my post sounded like I am selling one.
#10
07-27-17, 06:12 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Take a T25 torx bit and unscrew the tray that the fuel tank sits on and you can lift it up enough to put a socket on an extension in there to get the left starter bolt out.
#11
07-30-17, 07:19 PM
I got the starter off and took it apart to have a look. None of the parts looked damaged, the main part with with the weight and spring was seized/rusted up so it wasn't moving. I cleaned it and lubed with WD-40 and put it back on. Now, it's not getting power. When I try to start the battery just humms under the seat. I checked with a voltage tester and the battery is good. There's a 20 amp fuse behind the seat that is not blown, but no power is getting to the starter. Not sure what to do next..
#12
07-30-17, 08:04 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Sounds like the starter may be seized now... can you connect jumper cables to the starter from the battery and make it turn? Did you remove the upper drive gears to inspect? It sure sounds like the ones I've run into with broken teeth on the armature shaft.
#13
08-01-17, 07:44 PM
I took the starter back apart and realized I had it together wrong. The magnets weren't in the slots like they were supposed to be. It was kind of a pain but I eventually got it together correctly and now it's working again! Thanks everyone for your help!
