GT235 Not Starting

4309 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by dave_r, 4 mo ago

monterreyjack

Discussion Starter · Jun 20, 2019

I am a new member looking for some guidance. My neighbors gave me their 2002 GT235 B&S. It ran fine until it decided not to start. Will not turn over. I have purchased a Service Manual on Ebay, but it's not here yet. Two main fuses are good. I have checked the battery and the main power to the solenoid and it is fine. The small wire to the solenoid is not getting any juice when I turn the ignition. I shorted across the two main solenoid lugs and the starter spins, but it does not engage the engine, just spins. Starter and battery are new (replaced by previous owner). I also have the old starter, which also spins when I short across the two main lugs. While I await the Service Manual (coming from Canada, ugh) any suggestions on next steps? I know they took good care of this thing and they are the original owners. They had JD service it. The only thing really beat up is the hood and that's from the wife driving under trees and bushes. I'm looking forward to getting this thing going and having a real lawnmower.

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RedOctobyr

· #4 · Jun 21, 2019

Apologies for not being familiar with these specific engines. But often electric starters have a Bendix gear that needs to slide up (towards the flywheel teeth) as the starter spins. Then when you turn off the starter, the gear retracts, and pulls away from the flywheel.

If you can get yours to spin, but it doesn't actually engage with the flywheel, you might check that gear on the starter. Maybe the sliding aspect is stuck and needs some oil, etc.

This wouldn't be your whole problem, of course, if you also can't get the starter to run.

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RedOctobyr

· #6 · Jul 10, 2019

I'm glad you got one problem solved, at least! If the gas is pouring out of the carb itself, the needle valve in the carb might not be closing off the fuel flow into the carb, once the bowl is full. Either due to a damaged valve seat, or a leaky float, etc. A cracked fuel line would be easier, though, so hopefully it's just that.

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