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Lawn Mower Charging Solved. Maybe it helps someone...
Posted on 6/12/26 at 10:27 pm
Posted on 6/12/26 at 10:27 pm
So my lawnmower had not been charging the battery. After a few cuts voltage drops and the electric clutch won't hold and blades drop out.
Finally got to looking at it. Voltage out of the rectifier was low.... I replaced it. Still the same issue. Turns out it has to see battery voltage to initiate the charging voltage going out.
I started ohming out wiring and found the wire to the switch after wiggling the fuse to have way too high a resistance value intermittently.
Come to find out the switches that are common on a bunch of these machines can corrode or delaminate enough to drop out the voltage back when key is on to signal the voltage regulator to put out.
This machine is washed and cared for and stored inside and the switch still looked like shite and separated.
New switch was $16. The voltage regulator was $52. I kept the old as a spare.
Finally got to looking at it. Voltage out of the rectifier was low.... I replaced it. Still the same issue. Turns out it has to see battery voltage to initiate the charging voltage going out.
I started ohming out wiring and found the wire to the switch after wiggling the fuse to have way too high a resistance value intermittently.
Come to find out the switches that are common on a bunch of these machines can corrode or delaminate enough to drop out the voltage back when key is on to signal the voltage regulator to put out.
This machine is washed and cared for and stored inside and the switch still looked like shite and separated.
New switch was $16. The voltage regulator was $52. I kept the old as a spare.
3
Posted on 6/13/26 at 5:06 am to thejudge
Great job
This post was edited on 6/13/26 at 5:16 am
Posted on 6/13/26 at 9:47 am to Bama and Beer
I just hope it saves someone the trouble. It was a weird issue I wouldn't have expected. Especially since the switch looked fine and started fine.
Posted on 6/13/26 at 9:51 am to thejudge
Had a problem with the key switch intermittently on my previous mower. But mine just wouldn’t start.
Posted on 6/14/26 at 8:31 am to thejudge
What type mower and engine?
Posted on 6/14/26 at 3:15 pm to thejudge
Hey Judge, good troubleshooting and thanks for the tips.
My mechanic does not recommend washing the ZTR as you mentioned. I’ve had less problems since I stopped washing my ZTR after each usage. I just use the blower to clean it now.
I hope this tip helps. Thanks again.
My mechanic does not recommend washing the ZTR as you mentioned. I’ve had less problems since I stopped washing my ZTR after each usage. I just use the blower to clean it now.
I hope this tip helps. Thanks again.
Posted on 6/14/26 at 3:24 pm to zippyputt
This was an exmark quest with the kawasaki engine
Doing research a lot of these ZTRs use the same 3 position 5 prong switch.
They can wear out.
Put a volt meter across across the battery and you should be at 13.0- 14.5 VDC. Charging working.
Doing research a lot of these ZTRs use the same 3 position 5 prong switch.
They can wear out.
Put a volt meter across across the battery and you should be at 13.0- 14.5 VDC. Charging working.
Posted on 6/14/26 at 3:26 pm to 2dogs
Your mechanic is right.
When I wash i meant just the deck AFTER it cools to not warp or cause issues with the sealed bearings. I then blow everything off before storage.
I was just surprised at how easily the switch just came apart. It is 15 years old and I'm sure the plastic is brittle.
I went ahead and separated all plugs on the harness and put dielectric grease on all of them while I was in there testing.
When I wash i meant just the deck AFTER it cools to not warp or cause issues with the sealed bearings. I then blow everything off before storage.
I was just surprised at how easily the switch just came apart. It is 15 years old and I'm sure the plastic is brittle.
I went ahead and separated all plugs on the harness and put dielectric grease on all of them while I was in there testing.
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