Toro lawnmowers are renowned for their excellent machinery, often employing their self-made Toro engines that can run for years without any hitches. However, taking your Toro Lawn Mower out could be unpleasant when it would not start after repeated tries. In such cases, knowing what problem your lawn mower faces and how to troubleshoot it effectively is necessary.

Toro lawnmower starting problems:

Your Toro Lawn Mower might fail to start because of a fault in one of the few major components; it could be a faulty spark plug that wouldn’t ignite, a plugged carburetor with fuel deposits, a faulty ignition coil, a clogged fuel filter or perhaps a broken flywheel. Maintaining three-quarters of fresh fuel with stabilizers inside the tank at all times is essential for your Toro Lawn Mower to start without any issues. Inspect the battery, its connections, and the power switch for electric lawnmowers if it doesn’t start or shuts down abruptly.

This article will discuss troubleshooting a Toro lawnmower that doesn’t start or stops just after starting. Hence, ensure you don’t miss out on the detailed procedure to perform this independently.

Troubleshooting a Toro Lawnmower is easy and takes only a little insight to solve these issues.

Toro Riding Lawnmowers

Riding Lawnmowers is a preferred alternative for mowing all types of landscapes. They come with a suspension system for the safety of the rider and highly robust spindles and belts for durability and precision.

However, some of the problems that can occur commonly with any riding lawnmower are discussed here, in addition to the troubleshooting procedure required to solve these problems.

1. Lawnmower Does Not Start?

There could be a simple explanation as to why your lawn mower fails to start. One of the components directly involved in ignition might be clogged or damaged and need a replacement. Let’s discuss those components and how they can be repaired to make your Toro lawn mower start again.

1. Fuel Quality

Filling your tank with good-quality fuel is sometimes sufficient to cause the lawn mower to start again. The first thing to check is the fuel because poor quality fuel is often associated with ignition problems for the engine. Lousy quality fuel contains certain impurities that precipitate on the machine and cause it to clog, causing the lawn mower not to start.

2. Lever Position

The next thing to check for is the lever to be in the correct locking position; and not the neutral one. Like a car’s clutch, press down on the lever firmly while pulling the ignition cord to start the lawnmower. These steps are critical to ensure that your Toro lawnmower starts easily.

3. Changing the Rubber Boot

Restart the lawnmower by inserting the rubber spark plug boot again. Change the rubber boot with a new one if the mower still won’t start.

4. Unclogging Air Filter

Depending on the model, an air filter is located on the side of the mower. This filter should be removed, washed in warm water, and cleaned inside and out. Before reinstalling the air filter, completely dry it out.

2. Toro Lawnmower Starts but Then Dies?

The same malfunctions that were causing your lawnmower to not start could also be behind it, stalling repeatedly. Other than the ones listed above, some of the important aspects to consider are discussed below:

1. Clogged Carburetor

A clogged carburetor is one of the most common reasons your Toro lawnmower is stalling. A carburetor is often clogged when the fuel is made to stay in the tank for a long while. A low-quality fuel disintegrates into components that can grease up the lining of the carburetor, causing it to choke.

It is advised to keep your carburetor clean, unclogged, and debris free at all times for the lawn mower to stay up and running.

2. Old Gasoline

A fuel with more extensive ethanol contents is known to attract more moisture. When the humidity vaporizes, the substance left behind is sticky and adheres to the pipelines and the fuel system. Fuel can quickly become old and unusable, almost in 30 days, and can start degrading.

Hence, it is suggested to:

• Use and replace fuel within 30 days
• Buy high-quality fuel
• Store fuel in a cool, dry place
• Don’t leave the fuel uncovered, as it can attract moisture
• Use fuel with fuel stabilizers and fuel additives.

3. Toro Lawn Mower Fuel Cap

The gas cap is essential for the ventilation of your lawn mower. It equalizes the air pressure on both sides and allows the fuel to flow within the engine. A plugged fuel cap can restrict the flow of air, causing the Toro lawn mower to stall excessively.

To confirm this issue, remove the gas cap and start the lawn mower; clean the fuel cap thoroughly under warm water and place it again to see if the problem subsides. You should replace it with a new one if it doesn’t.

3. Lawnmower Is Smoking?

If your Toro lawn mower starts producing smoke while running, there could be a problem with the engine’s fuel consumption or the gas itself. The engine begins consuming more fuel and this occurs when the air filter is dirty, or the carburetor jets are plugged with fuel residues.

When an engine consumes more fuel or when it is running rich (on a high air-fuel ratio), it emits smoke from the exhaust gases. The smoke basically comprises unburnt hydrocarbons, thus implying that the air supplied was insufficient for combustion to sustain.

To prevent the engine from smoking, make sure the airflow to the engine is restored.

– Cleaning Air Filters

The first step to correcting this problem is to clean all air filters with a soap solution. Dry the air filters and reinstall them back after cleaning. If the filters seem damaged or broken such that they allow dust particles to flow across them, consider replacing the filters altogether.

– Cleaning the Carburetor

Cleaning the carburetor and adjusting it according to the owner’s manual will help eliminate the smoke. Make sure that the airflow jets are cleaned and deposit-free. Use a thin metal wire to clean them thoroughly.

Make sure the airflow through the carburetor remains unaffected so that it doesn’t emit black smoke.

4. Lawnmower Runs Rough/Misfires?

The engine may misfire or stop working if the spark plug is no longer igniting or has electrodes corroded with soot. As a result, it fails to generate a sufficient voltage to spark the fuel effectively.

– Faulty Plug:

The spark plug’s electrodes often get plugged with soot. Over time, this degrades spark quality and affects the combustion. Hence, the first thing to inspect in case the engine misfires is the spark plug. Remove the plug and clean its electrodes from carbon deposits.

Also, check the gap between the electrodes with a feeler gauge which should be 0.02 inches. If the electrodes seem damaged, install a new spark plug.

– Spark Timing:

One of the possible reasons for a misfiring engine is incorrect spark timing. The engine ignites shortly before or after the top dead center is reached. Under normal circumstances, ignition occurs at the top dead center to produce the maximum power. This advancement in ignition causes a loss of power, and the engine may misfire as a consequence.

The most common reason for engine misfires could be a broken flywheel key. Flywheel keys are small metallic strips that fit into the groove, thereby coupling the flywheel with the crankshaft. The keys tend to shear off when an engine stops abruptly, such as after hitting a hard object.

Due to this, the flywheel loses contact with the crankshaft, and the alignment between piston movement and spark firing gets off. To adjust the spark timing, you will need to make sure the flywheel key is replaced:

• Expose the flywheel: Disassemble the engine cover and expose the flywheel and ignition coil.
• Turn off the engine: Make sure the engine is turned off and the spark plug is removed while you perform this procedure.
• Replace the key: Check the flywheel key. Remove it if a part of it has been sheared off. These keys are usually made of Aluminum. Hence, make sure you get the right key for your engine. It can easily be obtained by contacting your manufacturer and can also be purchased from any hardware store.

– Faulty Ignition Coil

In case the spark plug is working fine and the engine still doesn’t fire, the ignition coil is likely to be faulty. The spark plug receives the current needed to spark and ignite fuel in the engine’s combustion chamber from the ignition coil.

Ignition coils may malfunction and stop working altogether or deteriorate and work intermittently. When changing a coil or performing other engine work that requires removing the coil, the appropriate air gap should be set between the coil and the flywheel..

5. Lawnmower Has a Dead Battery?

Most lawnmowers have a dead battery when they have been kept sitting for a long time. In that case, you would need to recharge them again separately. Hence, remove the battery from its casing and use a 12V battery charger to recharge the battery.

Make sure the water level is also up to the recommended mark. After it has been recharged, use a multimeter to test the voltage reading at its positive terminal (in red). If the meter reads 12V, then the battery is all set to be reused again.

In case the reading is less than 12V, your battery plates have been sulfated, and the battery needs to be replaced.

Lead acid batteries typically last up to five years. To increase the battery life, make sure you keep the water level in check from time to time. Also, whenever you plan to store the lawnmower for a long, remove the battery terminals to prevent discharging.

Furthermore, make sure the battery terminals are kept clean and free of silt deposits.

Toro Self-Propelled Lawnmowers:

Toro also produces self-propelled lawnmowers with the latest Vortex technology that provides maximum airflow to the engine. Apart from these, these mowers come with a mulching feature that slices down grass into much finer pieces that supply additional nutrients to your soil.

Let’s discuss how to troubleshoot some of the common problems that you might face using a self-propelled lawnmower by Toro.

1. Lawnmower Engine Doesn’t Start.

If your Toro Self-Propelled Lawn Mower does not start, it could be due to debris stuck in the engine’s airbreathing system, such as the air filters or carburetor. Apart from that, a spark plug with damaged electrodes could also cause this issue.

The filters and carburetor must be thoroughly cleaned from all deposits that could obstruct the normal airflow to the engine. For carb cleaning, I recommend buying a carburetor repair kit. It contains the essential spare items that can help restore your carburetor to being new. You can also use a cleaning liquid or WD-40 to get rid of greasy fuel deposits in the carburetor jets.

Another reason your self-propelled Toro Lawn Mower fails to start is a faulty spark plug. Spark plugs are essential for ignition, and damage to their electrodes could prevent the engine from starting. Replace the spark plug with a new one to get your lawn mower up and running.

2. Lawnmower Pull Cord Doesn’t Work?

In self-propelled lawnmowers, the pull cord can often get stuck due to grass or debris buildup from the ground. In some cases, a damaged recoil starter can also render it inoperable.

– Check for Blade Obstruction:

If your pull cord is stuck, the first thing to do is to check for grass strands that could have been stuck in the cutting blades. Tilt the mower over and make sure the air filter is pointing upwards. Also, remove the spark plug wire while you do this to prevent the engine from starting accidentally.

Carefully remove all the grass and other debris stuck between your blades and the spindle. If the pull cord still doesn’t work, proceed to the next step.

– Damaged Recoil Starter:

The recoil starter assembly is located underneath the blower housing. Remove the screws that secure the blower housing. Once exposed, check the recoil starter wires if they can spin or not. If they are stuck, try to unwind them.

In case they seem damaged, it’s better to replace the entire recoil assembly. You should consult the owner’s manual by Toro to get the exact parts for replacement.

Once the recoil starter assembly is replaced, the pull cord can function seamlessly now.

Important Note: If your lawnmower is under warranty, make sure you report this issue to the manufacturer and have them repair/replace it. Doing this by yourself may render your warranty claim null and void.

Toro Battery Powered Lawnmowers:

Battery lawnmowers by Toro have been quite popular lately due to their low noise, lesser maintainability, and lesser operating cost. These lawnmowers use an electric battery to power an electric motor that drives the cutting blades.

Here are some of the common starting problems, along with the fixes for battery-powered lawnmowers.

1. Lawnmower Doesn’t Start.

If your battery-powered Toro Lawn Mower is not starting, make sure you inspect the battery, the battery charger, the power switches, and the motor.

Inspect the battery and see if its terminal connections aren’t loose. Use a multimeter to check the voltage reading and see if it’s less than the rated value. If it is, recharge it again to see the reading. If the reading is still low, your battery life has probably ended, and you should contact the manufacturer for replacement.

If the battery is fine, the power switch needs to be checked. It could be damaged or have loose connections in case the lawnmower doesn’t start. If the battery and switches are fine, then your motor could be the main culprit, and hence it needs to be replaced/repaired by your manufacturer.

2. Lawnmower Shuts Down?

If an electric lawnmower shuts down, it could be due to a faulty power switch or a loose connection. If the motor overheats, it may also cause the mower to shut down in some cases.

A damaged power switch most likely causes your lawnmower’s stoppage. Check the switch by using a multimeter. Set the meter to Ohmmeter and see if it gives a beep on discontinuity. If it does, the switch is faulty and needs to be replaced.

Other than the switch, your lawnmower probably has a thermal switch that can trigger a shutdown in case the motor overheats.

Lawnmower Starting Problems

1. Gas-Powered Lawnmower Starting Problems

2. Corded Electric Lawnmower Starting Problems

3. Cordless Battery Powered Lawnmower Starting Problems

4. Robotic Lawnmower Starting Problems