prompter: I am attempting to fix my Cub Cadet riding lawnmower. The issue with the lawnmower is that the engine will not turn over. I checked the starter, the starter solenoid, and some of the electrical connections and they all seem to work. Do you have any suggestions for next steps?

assistant: I hate to hear that.  Here are a few things you can check next:

* The spark plug: Make sure it is clean and has the correct gap.
* The fuel filter: Make sure it is clean and not clogged.
* The carburetor: Make sure it is clean and adjusted properly.
* The air filter: Make sure it is clean and not clogged.
* The fuel lines: Make sure they are not cracked or leaking.
* The battery: Make sure it is charged and has enough power to start the engine.

If you have checked all of these things and the engine still will not turn over, you may need to take the lawnmower to a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis.

prompter: Okay I will check the things you mentioned and get back to you if they didn't fix it. I can't go to a mechanic the town is too far away.

assistant: OK, let me know if my advice works out for you, good luck!

assistant: Sounds like a plan.

assistant: There are several issues that can prevent the enginge not to turn over. 


- A defective battery
- a faulty charging system
- a clogged air filter
- a damaged fuel pump
- corrosion on electrical parts
- a filthy carburetor
- a loose spark plug connection 

I would suggest to check each of them and eliminate them one by one.

prompter: How can I check the spark plug connection ?

assistant: If the starter is not turning the engine, it could be the starter, starter solenoid, starter switch, electrical connections, or battery. The engine could also be seized possibly due to lack of lubrication or being damaged, or being in gear. Have you tested the battery and the starter switch? Also verify the engine has adequate lubrication and the clutch is disengaged as appropriate.

prompter: Yes, I have done all of the above, the battery and the starter switch are fine, I lubricated the engine last week, and the switch is disengaged.

Where should I look next?

assistant: Here are more things to check
• check the temperature ranges for the oil you used, the viscosity might be wrong.
• check for dirty bearing.
• check for worn brushes or weak brush springs.

Sometimes the problems is unexpectedly elsewhere, so you may also want to try:
• check if the key engages correctly,
• check if the start button engages correctly,
• check if the safety handle (not the clutch) engages correctly,
• check the vents and the air circulation, the damage may already be gone too far and not be visible, as this may cause weakening of the magnets, but you should have had an increasingly slower and harder to start lawnmower.

If everything fails, unfortunately, you might want to hire a professional.

prompter: Is it possible for the cutting blade to be stuck and prevent the engine from turning?

assistant: One possible cause of the engine not turning over is a blockage in the fuel delivery system. To check this, you can try to start the engine with a small amount of fuel directly from a fuel can or with a fuel line running directly to the carburetor. If the engine starts in this condition, then the issue is with the fuel delivery system, possibly a clogged gas tank, fuel line, or carburetor. It is also worth verifying that you have the fuel shut-off valve in the "run" position and not the "off" position.