Hi our westwood T18 mower has failed to start. When ignition key turned the dashboard lights show up and the front lights work ok.
My first thoughts was the battery. so took it to repair shop and they tested it. They said there was more than enough charge to start a westwood. So they said it probably starter motor gone.
I said i need to use it tomorrow desperately before sat game so just wanted to get it going. they told me to put a screw driver across the solenoid connectors. which i did, lots of sparks and it wanted to go but didnt. i got my friend to turn igition key, had throttle out, and press the left starting pedal.
Am i doing something wrong?
10 Dec 2009 by calcallaby Last edited 10 Dec 2009
Am i doing something wrong?
Yes, you should take it to someone who knows what they are doing, you could do more harm than good.
If a machine doesn't want to go, there is a little check list to go through:
1) Is there any fuel in the tank? My John Deere runs out of fuel even when the tank looks a quarter full.
2) Petrol engine only - Is there a spark? Remove the spark plug and examine it. Look for a clear gap between the electrode and body. With the cap back on, and the screw thread touching the engine, turn the engine over. You want to see a good fat spark.
3) Does the air filter look dirty or oily? Some small motors have simple foam filters that should be a little oily, but bigger units will have paper elements, which should be clean and dry.
Machines designed for dusty conditions eg Howard Jem and Sisi scarrifier, may have an oil bath instead of or as well as a paper filter.
If you can't see a problem here, refer to the earlier answer.
Also, take it to somewhere other than the place that gave you such poor advice.
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
Facts known:
Battery good.
Starter motor good.
Fuel good (Apparently)
No action upon turning Key.
Mosy likely:
Safety interlock circuit is preventing starting.
The Westwood series of contraption use a low quality type of switch on the seat and the clutch/brake pedal.
By-pass the seat switch and/or the clutch switch by short-circuiting them to see if the ignition circuit becomes active.
Older machines with mechanical blade engagement also have a switch on that lever which needs checking too.
Replace any failty switch and return the others to correct configuration before mowing.
Do not operate machinery with by-passed safety switchees. They are there for a reason.
The above procedure is for diagnostic testing purposes only.
No liability accepted...
Plan B: Buy a John Deere. As we know, "Nothing runs like a Deere"
GOGGA
Thanks for the advice guys. I took the mower in for repair and it is now up and running. I asked what was wrong with it and they said an electrical fault.
if I was you I would insist on knowing exactly what the problem was. After all you ve paid for it.
What do I do? I just cut the grass.
17 Dec 2009 by Grass is always greener
More than likely one of the safety cut out switches but yes I would deffo ask what the problem was, an electrical fault covers a multitude!
barry glynn says: ~
if I was you I would insist on knowing exactly what the problem was. After all you ve paid for it.
And Grass is always greener says: ~ More than likely one of the safety cut out switches but yes I would deffo ask what the problem was, an electrical fault covers a multitude!
Both are quite right, the repairer needs to be more specific, if the new part fails then you have a legitimate claim if it fails in the warranty period and just as importantly if it fails it may signify an underlying cause. In both cases you need to know which part to avoid being "fobbed off".
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