14 Causes a Bobcat Zero Turn Won’t Start: SOLVED!

Your zero turn is a favorite. It is a quick and effective approach to cut a big grass. However, it will occasionally fail to start when you need it, just like any other piece of equipment.

A stopped air filter, a clogged fuel line, a bad fuel pump, a dirty carburetor, a bad spark plug, a poor ignition coil, a bad battery, a faulty switch, or loose connections will prevent a Bobcat zero turn from starting.

For more reasons why a Bobcat won’t start, keep reading. When performing repairs, take all necessary safety precautions, including cutting the spark plug wire.

How to Address a Bobcat Zero Turn Mower Starting Issue

• Check for a fuel shortage.
  
• Fuel tank is empty
  
• using fuel
  
• Fuel filter clogged
  
• Fuel line clog
  
• Fuel pump failure
  
• clogged carburetor
  
• Check to see whether you’re getting spark.
  
• Spark plug that is damaged or filthy
  
• Look for a lack of air.
  
• Air filter clogged
  
• Choke setup error or jammed choke
  
• Inadequate beginning procedure
  
• Examine the electrical system
  
• Battery failure or underperformance
  
• Cables, wiring, and connectors that are loose
  
• Safety switch failure
  
• faulty ignition switch

Why Is Your Bobcat Zero-Turn Not Starting?

A Bobcat Mower will not start if the fuel tank is empty.

The reason I bring up an empty gasoline tank is because it’s a common cause of a lawnmower not starting that is often overlooked.

It’s possible that there’s a fuel leak and you’re wasting more gas than usual. There are two possible explanations: either the gas gauge is broken or you can’t remember the last time you refueled.

FIX: Verify that you have enough fuel in the tank to start and operate the mower by checking the fuel level. Make any necessary repairs after checking for a gasoline leak or a broken gauge.

Fill up an empty or low-level fuel tank with new fuel.

A Bobcat lawn mower won’t start when the fuel is old.

If the fuel in your Bobcat zero turn is getting old, it could be underperforming. Gasoline loses its quality and effectiveness as fast as 30 days after purchasing. This could lead to problems that make it tough to start a lawn mower.

Ethanol, a biofuel typically produced from corn, is present in most gasoline blends. However, the small engine in your Bobcat lawn mower struggles with the ethanol that is blended into gasoline to reduce pollution.

Unfortunately, ethanol’s natural tendency to absorb moisture from the air means it can also speed up the rusting process on lawn mowers and leave behind sticky deposits that clog fuel lines.

Use fuel that has little or no ethanol.

The recommended fuel for Bobcat lawnmowers has a minimum octane value of 87 and no more than 10% ethanol.

Do not use E15 or E85, which have higher ethanol contents, or any other type of gas with a higher ethanol content. Both of them can reach ethanol concentrations of up to 85%.

Ethanol-free fuel is the best fuel to use in your Bobcat mower because it will not cause any problems associated with ethanol, but it is more expensive.

In a Bobcat Mower, use fresh fuel

Since gas spoils quickly, just buy as much as you can use within 30 days.

If you aren’t going to use your fuel within 30 days, you can keep it fresher for longer by adding a fuel stabilizer like Sea Foam Motor Treatment to it. This additive is required for new gasoline. Legacy fuels have irreversible consequences.

FIX: Use a fuel siphon pump to empty the fuel tank when you discover old fuel in your Bobcat lawnmower. To stabilize the gas and lower moisture in the fuel system, mix your fresh gas with Sea Foam or STA-BIL.

A faulty gas cap stops a Bobcat lawn mower from starting.

An air vent is built into the gas cap of a Bobcat lawnmower to permit air to pass through the cap. Fuel tank vacuums arise when fuel cap vents are blocked or damaged, depriving the engine of fuel.

Without petrol, a Bobcat lawn mower won’t start. If the mower won’t start until the gasoline cap is loosened or removed to let air into the fuel tank, you may be able to tell if the gas cap is damaged and no longer venting.

If the issue persists after you’ve loosened the cap, try tightening it and letting the mower run for a bit; if it does, it means you’ve found the cause of the problem.

Find out if the lawnmower will turn off and stay off until the gas cap is removed.

FIX: If the fuel cap isn’t venting, swap it out for a fresh Bobcat fuel cap.

A damaged spark plug stops a Bobcat lawn mower from starting.

Having trouble starting your Bobcat? A damaged or fouled spark plug could be to blame. An improper electrode spacing or loose spark plug wires could make the problem much worse.

FIX: Remove the spark plugs with a socket wrench. Keep an eye out for things like a dirty plug, a scorched electrode, or cracked porcelain as indicators of wear and tear.

A new spark plug must be used in place of any dark-colored, damaged, or overly dusty plugs. You can clean the plug with a wire brush if it’s just a little bit dirty.

Make sure the plugs are gapped according to the engine manufacturer’s requirements before fitting the clean or new plugs. Install the spark plug and firmly fasten the spark plug wire to make sure the connection is sound.

A clogged air filter prevents the starting of a Bobcat lawn mower.

Dust and debris are spread widely when using a Bobcat zero turn. For this reason, it’s crucial to operate an air filter continuously to prevent engine damage.

This debris may clog the air filter, reducing the flow of air to the engine. Your mower won’t start if there isn’t enough air.

Running a mower with a clogged filter might make it too hot, which could further harm the engine. Never operate your Bobcat mower without an air filter, not even for a brief time to complete your mowing job.

FIX: A new air filter should be installed at the beginning of each mowing season. This is not the end of the air filter maintenance. Several times during the mowing season, you must inspect and clean it.

The more frequently you should inspect and clean your air filter, the dustier the mowing conditions.

Delete the paper air filter from a Bobcat lawnmower:

• Your filter should now be free of the air filter housing.
  
• Use a dry, clean rag to remove any leftover dirt from the housing. Do not let dirt enter the air intake.
  
• Tap the air filter firmly against a surface. As much dirt as you can free, knock from the filter. Your filter will be damaged if you clean it with compressed air.
  
• Hold the paper filter element up to a light source to see if any light is coming through.
  
• If you can see through the air filter’s paper, it’s still good to use. If the filter is preventing any light from getting through, is dirty, oily, or otherwise damaged, you should get a new one.
• Reattach the air filter housing cover after inserting your air filter into the housing.

A clogged fuel filter prevents a Bobcat lawn mower from starting.

Fuel exiting the fuel tank is filtered through a fuel filter to remove debris and other impurities. If you don’t change the fuel filter frequently or are using unclean gas, the filter may become blocked.

Your mower won’t start if your fuel filter is clogged because a constant supply of fuel cannot travel through the filter. Annual fuel filter replacement is recommended.

FIX: A new gasoline filter needs to be installed in lieu of the blocked one. If you need to change the inline fuel filter on your zero turn, make sure the arrow on the filter faces the direction of fuel flow.

A clogged fuel line prevents a Bobcat lawn mower from starting.

Using stale or contaminated fuel might cause your fuel system to clog and break down. Included in this package are the fuel lines.

To check for a clogged fuel line, turn the fuel shut-off valve or crimp the line with gasoline pinch pliers.

Stopping the flow of fuel necessitates removing a section of the fuel pipe (the end closest to the fuel tank) and placing it in a container. The container should be placed such that it is underneath the fuel tank.

The fuel pump is necessary for fuel to move higher. After initiating gasoline flow, inspect the fuel coming out of the hose. If the fuel is flowing freely again, reconnect the line.

FIX: If you come across a clogged line, the solution is to clear the obstruction. Stop the flow of petrol and take the fuel line out of your mower to accomplish this. To assist in clearing the obstruction, spray carburetor cleaning into the line.

After that, blow air into the line with compressed air to clear the clog. Up till the obstruction is cleared, repeat this step. Your fuel line will need to be replaced if you are unable to remove the obstruction.

A broken fuel pump stops a Bobcat lawn mower from starting.

Wear and tear can cause a fuel pump to fail. Having old gas in your fuel pump can cause it to break down. If the fuel pump in your Bobcat mower can’t build up enough pressure to force gasoline into the carburetor, the mower won’t start.

Look for leaks around the fuel pump. If a leak cannot be found, you will need to do certain checks on the fuel pump itself to ensure it is working correctly. Before moving forward, be sure the pump is getting gas.

Once you’ve established that flow is reaching the fuel pump’s inlet port, you should examine the fuel output.

To do this, remove the fuel line from the carburetor and store it in a suitable container. As soon as you hear the lawnmower start up, check the fuel pipe to see if the fuel is flowing steadily or pulsing.

FIX: If you are not getting a steady or pulsating flow of fuel from the pump, replace it.

A clogged carburetor prevents the start of a Bobcat lawn mower.

By leaving behind deposits that obstruct the fuel jet and gum up the tiny parts that make up the carburetor, old fuel used in your Bobcat mower might cause the carburetor to malfunction.

The carburetor’s job is to control how much gas is combined with air in the engine so that combustion can occur.

The mower’s ability to start and run will be impacted if the carburetor can’t operate properly. To get rid of the gooey and crusty buildups, it must be disassembled and cleaned.

FIX: The little components in a Bobcat carburetor should be manageable for you to disassemble if you are a little mechanical. To clean the carburetor, simply adhere to the instructions in this article.

There are two options if you don’t want to clean the carburetor yourself: buy a new one or take it to a local small engine mechanic who can do it for you.

Replace the carburetor if you discover that it is too dirty to clean properly. Find the engine’s model and specification number, then get in touch with your neighborhood Bobcat dealership.

The engine dealer can also be reached via phone. For instance, if your Bobcat has a Kawasaki engine, you can get parts from a Kawasaki engine dealer.

A Bobcat mower won’t start if the battery is bad, the cables are loose, or the terminals are corroded.

Your Bobcat zero turn won’t start if the battery is faulty or won’t retain a charge. This issue can also be exacerbated by weak wiring, corroded terminals, and loose battery cables.

Verify that the battery’s terminals are not corroded and that they are fastened to the battery firmly.

FIX: The solution for cleaning corroded terminals is a mixture of 2 cups of water and 3 round tbsp of baking soda. Using a wire brush, carefully scrub the terminals to restore proper function.

Utilize a multimeter to test your battery. You need a reading of approximately 12.7 volts. If the reading is less than this, you should use a battery charger to charge the battery.

The processes and supplies required to charge your battery are detailed in more detail here. Replace the battery with a new one if it won’t retain a charge.

A defective safety switch prevents a Bobcat mower from starting.

When specific conditions are not satisfied, Bobcat adds safety switches to prevent the mower from starting.

It also contains a safety switch that, if it no longer detects the operator’s presence, disengages your mower deck and turns your mower off.

A mower might not start if one of the safety switches malfunctions.

FIX: Consult the operator’s manual to make sure you follow the right beginning steps and prevent the mower from not starting due to a safety switch.

If you have followed all the normal starting steps and the car still won’t turn over, you should use a multimeter to inspect the safety switches. While troubleshooting, it may be necessary to temporarily disable the safety switch to determine which switch is faulty.

The safety switch must always be engaged prior to using a mower. Do not run a lawnmower if the safety switch is disabled. Having a safety switch available is always a good idea because you never know when you might need to prevent serious harm.

A faulty ignition switch prevents a Bobcat mower from starting.

Your ignition switch is turned on with the key inserted, but when you try to start your Bobcat, nothing happens. The issue might lie in the ignition switch

FIX: multimeter can be used to test the ignition switch. If faulty, replace the switch.

A defective charging system prevents a Bobcat lawn mower from starting.

Charging system issues aren’t the primary reason your Bobcat mower won’t start, but they certainly don’t help. You can’t expect your battery to keep its charge without a reliable charging system.

You can have issues with the charging system if your battery keeps dying and you have to continually charging it.

Your Bobcat mower won’t start if a part of this system malfunctions since the battery won’t have enough electricity. When you want to use the mower again, it might not start because of the poor charging system’s failure to charge the battery.

A problematic stator or alternator may exist. Here I demonstrate how to use an ohm meter to test your charging system.

FIX: Get your charging system checked by a pro at your nearby Bobcat mower dealer or small engine repair shop to figure out what’s wrong.

You could try to remedy the problem on your own, but if you don’t know much about charging systems, you’ll probably just end up replacing random electrical components.

Because most parts retailers won’t let you return electrical parts if you find that the item you bought doesn’t fix your starting problem, this can become quite expensive.

A Bobcat Mower Won’t Start Due to Poor Operating Procedure

A cold engine cannot be started until the choke is engaged, which restricts airflow to the engine. A cold engine can produce a greater gas concentration combustion with less air by doing this.

To keep the mower running once it has been started and the engine has warmed up, the choke lever must be adjusted to the off position.

FIX: It is recommended that the choke be used while starting a cold engine and then switched off after the engine has reached operating temperature. In the event that your choke lever stops working, you should inspect the choke links.