Riding mower won't start after winter
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Applies to: Riding mowers and zero-turns (John Deere, Cub Cadet, Kubota), All years
Symptoms
- Cranks but won't fire
- Clicks, no crank
- Runs only on choke
Why it happens
Stale fuel and a varnished carb, a flat battery, or a safety switch not closing.
How to fix it
- Charge or load-test the battery.
- Check the seat, brake and PTO switches.
- Drain old fuel and refill fresh.
- Clean the carb bowl and main jet if it only runs on choke.
Tools and parts
- Battery charger
- Carb cleaner
- Fresh fuel and stabilizer
What the factory service manual covers
Engine: carb service; electrical: interlocks, battery. The full procedure, specs and wiring diagrams are in the factory service manual for your machine.