Mowing lawns is a time-consuming and physically demanding activity. And with an inefficient or difficult-to-start lawn mower can be enough to make you throw in the towel and call a professional.
If your Husqvarna riding mower doesn’t start, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations from our experts to get your mower started in no time.
Reasons Why Your Husqvarna Riding Mower Can't Start
Issue #1: Wrong Starting Procedure
Beginner users may have a dilemma in setting up or starting a riding mower. There could be Husqvarna riding mower technical gaps that you may not have addressed during assembly, causing the mower from operating.
It’s highly recommended to go through the correct starting procedure for your Husqvarna riding mower as stated in the manual.
Issue #2: Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
A dirty or blocked air filter prevents clean air from entering the engine, causing it to overheat or get damaged.
Our experts recommend checking the mower’s air filter every 25 hours of use and replacing it if needed.
Issue #3: Damaged Spark Plug
A damaged spark plug will prevent the engine from starting. You’ll also likely deal with a mower that will start then die soon after. The most common cause of a damaged spark plug is the gasoline that has gone bad and collected moisture.
You can check the spark plug by removing it and inspecting it for signs of damage. Replace it as necessary.
Issue #4: Clogged Fuel Filter
A clogged fuel filter prevents fuel from reaching the engine, causing it to starve for gas and eventually shut down.
Clean the clogged fuel filters by soaking them in gasoline for a few minutes and then blowing it out with compressed air. It would be best if you replace damaged or old fuel filters.
Issue #5: Clogged Carburetor
A clogged carburetor prevents fuel and air from reaching the engine, causing it to run lean and eventually shut down. With a damaged carburetor, your riding mower will fail to forward or reverse smoothly making it more difficult to use.
Like fuel filters, clean the carburetor by soaking it in gasoline for a few minutes. Use compressed air to blow out any dirt or debris.
Issue #6: Bad or Contaminated Gas
Gasoline that has gone bad is one of the reasons why your Husqvarna riding mower won’t start. Contaminated gasoline can prevent your engine from running efficiently or even starting [1].
Our experts recommend checking the gas for unusual substances like water or debris. If it’s clean, start the mower. But if the problem persists, drain the gas from your mower tank and fill it with fresh gasoline.
Issue #7: Defective Start Switch
A defective start switch prevents the engine from starting when you turn the key. The most common symptom of a faulty start switch is the engine not cranking when turning the key.
To test the start switch, remove the wire from the terminal and check for continuity with a multimeter. It should show a reading of continuity. If not, replace the switch.
Issue #8: Faulty Fuel Pump
A faulty fuel pump also prevents fuel from reaching the riding mower’s engine even when you put too much fuel in your mower. This eventually results in the engine shutting down.
Our professional landscapers advise users to remove the fuel line from the carburetor and turn the key to the ON position. If there’s no gas flowing to the fuel line, consider replacing it.
Issue #9: Defective Ignition Coil
A defective ignition coil can prevent the engine of your Husqvarna Z242F mower from starting by not providing enough spark to the spark plug. The most common symptom of a bad ignition coil is the engine not cranking when you turn the key.
To test the ignition coil, remove the wire from the terminal and check for continuity with a multimeter.
Issue #10: Defective Safety Switch
A defective safety switch prevents the engine from starting. A common sign of a bad safety switch is the engine not cranking when the key is turned.
Test the safety switch by removing the wire from the terminal and checking for continuity with a multimeter. If it doesn’t show any reading, consider replacing this part.
Issue #11: Broken Recoil Spring
A broken recoil spring can prevent the engine from starting by not allowing the mower rope to be pulled. Like the faulty safety switch, the telltale sign of a broken recoil spring is the engine not cranking when you turn the key. Thus, the lawn mower will fail to pull and starts the engine.
Pull the rope and see if it’s able to retract. A good recoil spring recoils the cord immediately.
FAQ
How do you clean a carburetor on a Husqvarna lawn mower?
You can clean a carburetor on a Husqvarna lawn mower by soaking it in gasoline for a few minutes and then blowing it out with compressed air. Replace damaged or old fuel filters to keep your mower running smoothly.
Conclusion
Our expert landscapers created this guide on Husqvarna riding mower starting issues and a few troubleshooting tips to help novice mowers navigate through the glitches. You can also check the Husqvarna drive belt diagram as your guide when fixing more engine-related issues.
By understanding how your mower works, you would be able to troubleshoot it immediately when something goes wrong.
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