If your lawn mower battery keeps dying, start with the battery itself, because a dead cell is the most common reason a riding mower battery will not stay charged. Charge it with a battery charger first. If it still will not hold a charge, the battery needs to be replaced. If the battery tests good, the next thing to check is the charger and the power source. A bad charger or a tripped outlet can look like a mower battery not charging problem when the battery is actually fine. After that, move to the charging system on the mower. A weak alternator may not send enough voltage while the engine is running, and a failed voltage regulator can keep the battery from getting the proper charge, which leads to a lawn mower battery drains complaint or a riding lawn mower charging problem. Using a multimeter to verify charger, alternator, and voltage regulator output is the fastest way to narrow it down. RepairClinic.com makes it easier to match the right part, whether you need a battery, charger, alternator, or voltage regulator. Just enter your model number to find the exact replacement part for your specific lawn mower.
01 - Lawn Mower Battery
One or more cells in the battery may be dead. Try charging the battery with a battery charger. If the battery still won't hold a charge, this indicates that the battery is defective and will need to be replaced.
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To determine if the charger is defective, use a multimeter to test the charger for proper voltage output. In addition, test the outlet used by the charger, and ensure that the outlet has not tripped a breaker.
The alternator provides voltage to the lawn mower while the engine is running and also recharges the battery. To determine if the alternator is defective, use a multimeter to test the alternator voltage output according to the wiring diagram.
While the engine is running, the voltage regulator sends the proper amount of voltage from the alternator to the battery to keep the battery charged. If the voltage regulator is defective, the battery won't receive enough voltage, causing the battery to drain quickly.