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Ariens Lawn mower won't start

If your Ariens lawn mower won't start, start with the parts most likely to stop ignition or fuel flow. The first thing to check is the spark plug. If the insulator is cracked, the electrode is damaged, or the tip is carbon-fouled, the mower may have spark issues and fail to fire. A spark plug tester will tell you quickly if the plug is producing a strong spark. Next, look at the carburetor, since stale fuel often leaves a sticky varnish that clogs passages and keeps an Ariens lawn mower from starting. In many cases, cleaning the carburetor with carburetor cleaner helps, but if not, a carburetor repair kit or a full carburetor replacement may be needed. Old or bad gasoline in the carburetor float bowl can cause the same problem. After that, check the start switch for continuity, then inspect the fuel pump, including the pulse line, diaphragm, and check valves. Whether your lawn mower not starting issue is fuel-related or ignition-related, enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Ariens spark plug, carburetor, start switch, fuel pump, or other replacement part that fits your mower.

01 - Ariens Lawn Mower Spark Plug

Inspect the spark plug for signs of wear or damage. If the porcelain insulator is cracked, an electrode is burned away or damaged, or there is heavy carbon buildup at the electrode, replace the spark plug. To determine if the spark plug is defective, use a spark plug tester. You should see a strong spark between the tester’s terminals when the engine is cranking. If there is no spark, this indicates that the spark plug is defective and should be replaced.
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02 - Ariens Lawn Mower Carburetor

The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the engine from starting. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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03 - Ariens Lawn Mower Carburetor Repair Kit

The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the lawn mower for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the engine from starting. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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04 - Old or Bad Gasoline

There may be old or bad fuel in the carburetor float bowl. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the engine from starting. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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05 - Ariens Lawn Mower Start Switch

To determine if the start switch is defective, use a multimeter to test it for continuity.
Highly Likely

06 - Ariens Lawn Mower Fuel Pump

The fuel pump has three ports: the gas in port, the gas out port, and the pulse port. The pulse port is connected to the engine crankcase by a small rubber tube. As the engine runs, air inside the crankcase alternately pressurizes and depressurizes the air in the tube. This pressurized air moves a diaphragm inside the pump and pumps the gas. If the engine oil is overfilled, oil can enter the pulse port line, preventing it from working properly. The fuel pump also has two small check valves on the input and output ports. The check valves prevent fuel from reentering the gas tank. These check valves can fail. To determine if... the fuel pump is defective, check the pulse port line, check valves, and the diaphragm inside the pump. The fuel pump is not repairable—if the fuel pump is not working properly, you must replace it.
Highly Likely

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won't my Ariens lawn mower start?
My Ariens lawn mower has spark but won't start. What should I check next?
How do I know if the start switch is bad on my Ariens lawn mower?
Can bad gas keep an Ariens push mower from starting?
How do I find the right Ariens lawn mower part on RepairClinic.com?