How To Test Lawn Mower Solenoid With Multimeter?

How to Test a Lawn Mower Solenoid With a Multimeter

Your lawn mower’s solenoid is a critical component that controls the flow of electricity to the starter motor. When you turn the key in the ignition, the solenoid sends a signal to the starter motor, which then engages the flywheel and starts the engine. If your lawn mower isn’t starting, it’s possible that the solenoid is faulty.

Testing the solenoid with a multimeter is a quick and easy way to determine if it’s the problem. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of testing a lawn mower solenoid with a multimeter.

We’ll also provide some tips on how to troubleshoot other potential causes of a lawn mower that won’t start. So, if you’re having trouble getting your lawn mower up and running, read on for help!

Step	Action	Explanation
1	Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire.	This will prevent the engine from starting accidentally.
2	Locate the solenoid on the lawn mower.	The solenoid is a cylindrical-shaped device that is typically located near the starter motor.
3	Set your multimeter to the ohms setting.	The ohms setting is the one that looks like a capital omega ().
4	Connect the red multimeter probe to the positive terminal of the solenoid.	The positive terminal is typically marked with a “+” sign.
5	Connect the black multimeter probe to the negative terminal of the solenoid.	The negative terminal is typically marked with a “-” sign.
6	Turn on the multimeter.	The multimeter should display a reading of 0 ohms.
7	Press the starter button on the lawn mower.	The multimeter reading should drop to zero and then back up to infinity.
8	If the multimeter reading does not change, the solenoid is faulty and needs to be replaced.	A faulty solenoid will prevent the lawn mower from starting.

How To Test Lawn Mower Solenoid With Multimeter?

Tools and Materials Needed

To test the solenoid on your lawn mower, you will need the following tools and materials:

• A multimeter
• A probe lead with alligator clips
• A 12-volt battery
• A jumper wire

Test for Power

The first step is to test the solenoid for power. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire.
2. Connect the red probe of the multimeter to the positive terminal of the battery.
3. Connect the black probe of the multimeter to the wire that connects to the solenoid.
4. Turn on the lawn mower.
5. The multimeter should read 12 volts.

If the multimeter does not read 12 volts, the solenoid is not getting power and will need to be replaced.

Test for Continuity

The next step is to test the solenoid for continuity. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire.
2. Connect the red probe of the multimeter to one of the terminals on the solenoid.
3. Connect the black probe of the multimeter to the other terminal on the solenoid.
4. Turn on the multimeter.

The multimeter should read continuity. If the multimeter does not read continuity, the solenoid is bad and will need to be replaced.

By following these steps, you can easily test the solenoid on your lawn mower. If the solenoid is bad, you can replace it with a new one.

Here are some additional tips for testing the solenoid on your lawn mower:

• If you are not comfortable working with electricity, it is best to have a qualified technician test the solenoid for you.
• Be careful not to touch the terminals of the solenoid with your bare hands, as you could get a shock.
• If you are replacing the solenoid, make sure to buy a replacement that is compatible with your lawn mower.

Test for Continuity

To test the continuity of a lawn mower solenoid, you will need a multimeter. A multimeter is a device that can measure voltage, current, and resistance.

1. Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire.
2. Set the multimeter to the continuity setting.
3. Touch the positive probe of the multimeter to one of the terminals on the solenoid.
4. Touch the negative probe of the multimeter to the other terminal on the solenoid.

If the multimeter beeps, the solenoid is good. If the multimeter does not beep, the solenoid is bad.

Test for Resistance

To test the resistance of a lawn mower solenoid, you will need a multimeter. A multimeter is a device that can measure voltage, current, and resistance.

1. Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire.
2. Set the multimeter to the resistance setting.
3. Touch the positive probe of the multimeter to one of the terminals on the solenoid.
4. Touch the negative probe of the multimeter to the other terminal on the solenoid.

The resistance of a good solenoid should be between 100 and 200 ohms. If the resistance is too high or too low, the solenoid is bad.

If you suspect that the solenoid on your lawn mower is bad, you can test it using a multimeter. By testing for continuity and resistance, you can quickly and easily determine if the solenoid needs to be replaced.

How do I test a lawn mower solenoid with a multimeter?

To test a lawn mower solenoid with a multimeter, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire. This will prevent the engine from starting accidentally.
2. Locate the solenoid. The solenoid is a cylindrical-shaped device that is typically located near the starter motor.
3. Connect the multimeter to the solenoid terminals. The positive multimeter lead should be connected to the “S” terminal, and the negative multimeter lead should be connected to the “M” terminal.
4. Turn on the multimeter. The multimeter should display a reading of approximately 12 volts.
5. Operate the starter switch. When you operate the starter switch, the multimeter reading should drop to zero.

If the multimeter reading does not drop to zero when you operate the starter switch, the solenoid is faulty and needs to be replaced.

What are the symptoms of a bad lawn mower solenoid?

There are a few symptoms that can indicate a bad lawn mower solenoid. These include:

• The lawn mower will not start.
• The lawn mower starts and then dies immediately.
• The lawn mower starts but does not run smoothly.
• The lawn mower makes a clicking noise when you try to start it.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is likely that the solenoid is faulty and needs to be replaced.

How much does it cost to replace a lawn mower solenoid?

The cost of replacing a lawn mower solenoid varies depending on the make and model of your lawn mower. However, you can typically expect to pay between $20 and $50 for a new solenoid.

Can I replace a lawn mower solenoid myself?

Yes, you can replace a lawn mower solenoid yourself. However, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid damaging the lawn mower.

To replace a lawn mower solenoid, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the lawn mower and disconnect the spark plug wire. This will prevent the engine from starting accidentally.
2. Locate the solenoid. The solenoid is a cylindrical-shaped device that is typically located near the starter motor.
3. Remove the old solenoid. To remove the old solenoid, you will need to disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the mounting bolts.
4. Install the new solenoid. To install the new solenoid, you will need to connect the electrical connectors and install the mounting bolts.
5. Turn on the lawn mower and test the solenoid. The lawn mower should start and run smoothly.

If you are not comfortable replacing the solenoid yourself, you can take your lawn mower to a qualified repair shop.

What are some tips for preventing lawn mower solenoid problems?

There are a few things you can do to prevent lawn mower solenoid problems:

• Keep the lawn mower clean. Dirt and debris can build up on the solenoid and cause it to malfunction.
• Inspect the solenoid regularly. Look for signs of wear and tear, such as cracks or corrosion.
• Replace the solenoid if it is damaged. A damaged solenoid can cause the lawn mower to start and run poorly.
• Use a quality lawn mower oil. A good quality lawn mower oil will help to keep the solenoid lubricated and prevent it from overheating.

By following these tips, you can help to keep your lawn mower solenoid in good working order and prevent costly repairs.

In this blog post, we have discussed how to test a lawn mower solenoid with a multimeter. We have covered the following topics:

• The function of a lawn mower solenoid
• The different types of lawn mower solenoids
• How to test a lawn mower solenoid with a multimeter
• Common problems with lawn mower solenoids
• How to replace a lawn mower solenoid

We hope that this blog post has been informative and helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.