Husqvarna Riding Mower Turns Over But Won’t Start

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If your Husqvarna riding mower turns over but won’t start, it might be due to bad gas, dirty/clogged air filter or clogged fuel filter or blocked carburetor.

In this article, we share seven possible reasons for the starting problem and quick fixes to get your mower working efficiently again. 

Husqvarna Riding Mower Turns Over But Won’t Start: Reasons and Fixes

Husqvarna riding mower

Before I go into details, let’s look at some common reasons why your Husqvarna lawn mower turns over but won’t start and their practical fixes:

Reasons

Fixes

1. Bad gas

  • Drain the gas tank and fill it with fresh gas.

2. Clogged fuel filter

  • Change the clogged fuel filter.

3. Clogged air filter

  • Clean or replace the clogged air filter

4. Faulty spark plug

  • Ensure that the spark plug boot is properly secured to the spark plug.
  • Change it if it is in a bad condition.

5. Bad safety switch

  • Replace the bad safety switch.

6. Clogged carburetor

  • Clean or replace the carburetor.

7. No gas in the gas tank

  • Fill the gas tank with fresh gas.

Tools You Need for this Job

While troubleshooting, you might need to have the following tools nearby:

  • A ratchet
  • 5/18-inch spark plug socket
  • New spark plugs.
  • Pair of pliers
  • New fuel filter

Husqvarna Riding Mower Turns Over But Won’t Start: Reasons, Diagnosis and Fixes

1. Bad Gas

This is one of the common reasons why your Husqvarna riding mower turns over but won’t start. The gas in your mowing machine may lose its quality if it is more than thirty days in the gas tank.

In this case, moisture and ethanol solution can get separated from the engine and affect the mower’s performance.

Diagnosis

Check your gas tank for bad gas. If the gas is more than thirty-days, it indicates that the fuel is bad.

Fix

  • Drain your gas tank and fill it with fresh gas.

2. Clogged Fuel Filter

The fuel filter is responsible for straining the gas before it gets to your carburetor. It can also prevent dirt and debris from getting to the mower engine and other fuel components. 

A clogged filter will cause a restriction on the amount of gas that can pass through your engine, causing the mower to turn over but not start.

Diagnosis

  • Remove the fuel filter and check if the gas is properly flowing out from your fuel filter. If not, it indicates that the fuel filter is blocked.

Fix

  • Change the clogged fuel filter for a new one.

How to Replace a Fuel Filter on a Husqvarna Riding Mower

Husqvarna riding mower

Here are some tips on how to replace a fuel filter on a Husqvarna riding lawn mower:

  • Gather required items such as flat pliers, liquid detergent and a new fuel filter.
  • Open the engine cover so that you can locate your fuel filter.
  • Compress the fuel hose to prevent leakage.
  • Make sure that you use a pair of flat pliers to move your hose clips away from the fuel filter.
  • Detach your fuel filter from the hose ends.
  • Insert the fuel filter into the ends of your hoses. To make the connection easier, apply liquid detergent to the ends of the fuel filter.
  • Install the fuel filter in the proper direction. Ensure that the arrow is pointed toward the mower engine.
  • Push the hose clips against the fuel filter.

 3. Clogged Air Filter

The air filter prevents dirt, grass and other debris from entering the engine of your riding mower. If it gets clogged with dirt, it will cause your mowing machine to turn over but not start.

Diagnosis

  • Inspect your air filter for debris or dirt. If it is blocked with dirt, it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Fix

  • Clean or replace the bad air filter with a new one.

4. Faulty Spark Plug

A faulty spark plug is also one of the reasons that may cause your mower to turn over but not start. In this case, the spark plug can fire intermittently.

Furthermore, if the spark plug boot isn’t properly secured to the spark plug, it may cause starting problems.

Diagnosis

  • Examine your spark plug dark if it has a burnt electrode, is damaged or the tip is dark. If you detect these signs, it indicates that it is faulty.

Fix

  • Ensure that the spark plug boot is properly secured to the spark plug
  • Change the faulty spark plug.

How to Replace a Spark Plug on a Husqvarna Riding Mower

Here are some tips on how to change a spark plug on your Husqvarna zero-turn mower:

  • Gather tools such as A ratchet, 5/18-inch spark plug socket and new spark plugs.
  • The first thing to do is to locate the spark plug wires and remove the wire with a ratchet and spark plug socket
  • Loosen the spark plug by turning it counter-clockwise
  • Check the gap on the spark plug and adjust it a little bit
  • Insert the spark plug into the socket and use a ratchet to tighten it into the engine. This should be done according to Husqvarna’s specifications.
  • Insert your spark plug wire and place it firmly at the back of the spark plug.
  • You will also repeat the same process on the other side of your engine.
  • Start the mower and you are good to go.

5. Bad Safety Switch

The mowing machine may not even turn over but if the dirty safety switch may work intermittently or its contacts do not meet properly, Another reason your mower may have starting issues is if the seat switch is broken.

Diagnosis

  • Check your safety switches for defects. First, inspect if the seat switch is working by re-distributing the weight over the different parts of the seat and trying to start the mowing machine. If the mower does not start, it means that the seat switch is defective.

Fix

  • Replace the bad seat switch.

6. Clogged Carburetor

A clogged carburetor can cause your riding mower to turn over but not start. If your carburetor is dirty or filled with a lot of corrosion, it will prevent the regulation of the air and gas mixture.

In addition, a clogged carburetor can also impede the flow of fuel and make it impossible to start the engine. This will affect the functionality of the mowing machine.

Diagnosis

  • Take a look at the carburetor for dirt and corrosion. If you notice that the passages are clogged, it indicates that it needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Fix

  • Clean or replace the carburetor if it is in a bad condition.

7. No Gas in the Gas Tank

An empty gas tank may cause your Husqvarna riding mower to turn over but not start. This will affect the mower’s operation and yield undesirable results on your lawn. 

Ensure that you always have enough gas in the tank to avert this issue. 

Diagnosis

  • Check the fuel level in the gas tank. If it is empty, you need to fill the tank with fresh gas. 

Fix

  • Fill your gas tank with fresh gas. 

Conclusion

If you notice that your Husqvarna riding mower turns over but won’t start, it is essential to figure out the reasons behind it.

We have shared a few causes and practical fixes to guide you. We hope that our recommended troubleshooting tips will help you solve the issue.

If you are still having problems with the mower, it is best to contact a technician for assistance.