15 Common Causes of a Failed Start on a Toro Zero Turn 

What you really want is for the grass to cease growing when you turn off the mower. Your lawn will soon turn into a jungle if you don’t have your mower fixed.

Inadequate gasoline, air, or spark will prevent a Toro zero-turn lawn mower from starting.

This happens when one or more of the following components fails: the starter solenoid, the gas cap, the fuel filter, the air filter, the fuel line, the carburetor, the fuel, the old gas, or the battery.

Maintaining your zero-turn and using premium gas will keep it running smoothly for longer. The ignition key should be taken out and the spark plug wires disconnected before any work is started.

Potential reasons for your Toro zero-turn lawn mower not starting:

• No gas in the tank
• Used fuel
• Faulty or dirty spark plug
• Clogged air filter
• Malfunctioning fuel pump
• Fuel Filter is Clogged
• Fuel line clogging
• Carburetor that’s been neglected and allowed to get dirty
• Inadequate battery connection or power source
• Faulted safety switch
• Switch that ignites the car is broken
• Faulty solenoid that initiates the engine
• Gas cap has failed.
• Issue is in the charging system.
• Mistaken method of operation

15 Causes Why Your Toro Zero Turn Won’t Start

Toro Zero-Turn Mower Idles on an Empty Gas Tank

Because you may have forgotten to check the tank, I’ll remind you that a gas-powered Toro needs gas to run.

The answer is to fill up the gas tank with new gas.

Toro zero-turn mower that has been run on the incorrect or stale gas.

The Precise Type of Gasoline for a Toro Zero Turn Lawn Mower

You should use only fresh gas in your mower, and you should use the correct type of gas.

When using a Toro zero-turn mower, only unleaded gasoline with an octane value of 87 or above and no more than 10% ethanol should be used. No higher ethanol concentrations should be used.

Despite the fact that ethanol is generally safe to use in larger motor vehicles, it should be avoided in smaller engines. Water vapor from the air is drawn to ethanol of its own accord.

When the water and ethanol evaporate, they leave behind deposits that can corrode fuel system parts and limit fuel flow.

Always exercise caution when refueling your vehicle. More and more gas stations are stocking E15 and E85 fuel, which contain 15% and 85% ethanol, respectively. Don’t use these fuels.

This quantity of ethanol in gasoline is extremely damaging to engines. Here you can learn more about which gas is best for your Toro.

It is imperative that your Toro Zero Turn only receives new gas.

It’s best to get petrol from a busy gas station because gasoline starts to degrade and lose effectiveness after only 30 days. Fuel systems might clog and performance can suffer because ethanol in gasoline draws moisture.

Use a fuel stabilizer to prevent moisture buildup if you plan on keeping fuel for longer than 30 days. Due to this, its storage life will be prolonged.

Please remember that fuel stabilizers only function with new gas. They are unable to undo the damage done by stale gas.

If you accidentally put regular gas in your zero-turn mower’s tank, the solution is to drain and flush the gas. The tank can be drained using a manual siphon pump.

Refill your gas tank with new fuel that has a fuel additive like Sea Foam in it to clean and stabilize the fuel system. You can learn more about the benefits of utilizing Sea Foam Motor Treatment in your zero-turn by reading the provided link.

Bad Spark Plug or Loose Connection

An intermittent spark might be caused by a dirty or faulty spark plug. Problems getting the engine started or keeping it running are possible results.

The spark plug gap must also be adjusted properly, and the wires must be tightly connected. Your Toro may not start if you have any of these items.

Take off the spark plug and have a look at it. If the plug has become particularly black in color, or if you see any damage to the porcelain or a burnt electrode, you should get a new one.

If it’s only slightly soiled but otherwise in fine shape, a little wire brush should do the trick.

Check that the spark plug’s electrode gap is set properly. The engine maker specifies the spacing requirements. These details are documented in the Toro owner’s manual.

After making any necessary repairs, you can start the mower by safely connecting the spark plug wires.

Toro Zero Turn Lawnmower Air Filter Blocked

Cleaning the air filter not only ensures that your engine receives the clean air it needs, but also stops dirt from entering the cylinder, where it can do serious damage.

A Toro zero-turn won’t start if the air filter hasn’t been maintained properly and cleaned or replaced on a regular basis to allow for adequate air flow.

Follow these instructions to inspect and maintain your paper Toro air filter:

• Get rid of the air filter’s protective cover,
• Take off the paper air filter from its housing and set it aside for later use.
• Make sure no dust or debris gets into the engine’s air filter. Use a dry cloth to remove any lingering dust or grime from the filter housing.
• You can get rid of as much dust and debris trapped in your air filter by tapping it against a hard surface.
• You may test the paper element of the filter by holding it up to a light and seeing if it lets any light through.
• If the filter allows you to see, keep using it. If you can’t see light because the filter is so dusty or so broken that it has been compromised, you should get a new filter.

Toro Zero Turn Mower with a Faulty Fuel Pump

Having trouble starting your zero-turn mower? It could be the gasoline pump. The fuel pump is designed to overcome the force of gravity by bringing fuel to the top of the engine, where it can be injected into the fuel system.

If it breaks, the gasoline supply to the carburetor will be interrupted, preventing the engine from starting. An aging carburetor may eventually stop working.

Fuel pumps for zero-turn mowers typically operate via a vacuum system. Such pumps extract fuel from the tank using the engine’s exhaust vacuum.

Replacement of the fuel pump is required if fuel is leaking from the pump. There are a few tests you may run to determine if your pump is malfunctioning when there are no obvious indicators of damage:

• Gasoline can be turned off at the shutoff valve located under the fuel tank, or the fuel line can be pinched with clamps.
• Do not reconnect the hose to the pump’s inlet until further notice. Put it somewhere lower than the fuel tank so that the fuel may flow into it under its own weight. Here, you’ll check if fuel is actually reaching the fuel pump.
• Launch your fuel delivery system. If fuel is flowing into the storage tank, you know the pump is functioning properly. If you aren’t, then you need to find the fuel restriction before you fill up.
• Turn off the gas. Simply swap out the hose leading to the inlet.
• You can test your fuel pump’s health by removing the hose from the carburetor and placing it in a container.
• Resuming gasoline delivery and starting the engine. A continuous or pulsating fuel flow out of the gasoline line is something to keep an eye out for.
• Turn off the lawnmower and reconnect the gasoline hose to the carburetor once the test is complete.

If the fuel flow from your Toro zero-turn mower is intermittent or otherwise inconsistent, you should replace the fuel pump.

The Toro Zero Turn Mower’s Fuel Filter Is Clogged.

As fuel moves from the fuel tank into the fuel system, it is filtered through a fuel filter situated between the fuel lines.

As time passes, dirt can accumulate in the filter, preventing a sufficient quantity of fuel from entering the fuel injection system.

To keep the gasoline system in good working order, I suggest changing the fuel filter once a year.

If your fuel filter is clogged, you need to get a new one. For proper operation, the filter’s arrow must point in the direction of gasoline flow when installed.

Toro Zero Turn Mower Fuel Line Clogged.

If you have ever tried to test your fuel pump, you may have discovered an obstruction in your fuel line. The best way to find a blockage in your fuel line is to start and stop the flow of fuel via different sections of the line while testing each one individually.

A WAY OUT: If you locate a clogged line, attempt clearing it. If you want to accomplish this, disconnect the line from your Toro zero-turn mower.

Try spraying carburetor cleaning into the pipe to see if it helps dislodge the clog. If the carb cleaner doesn’t work, try blowing compressed air into the line.

In the event that you are not able to remove the obstruction, you should replace the gasoline line, taking care to get one with the appropriate inside diameter. If your fuel lines are dry and starting to break, I would recommend changing them even if you don’t locate a blockage in them.

Toro Zero Turn Mower with Clogged and Dirty Carburetor

A clogged or otherwise unclean carburetor could be the reason your zero-turn mower won’t fire up. Your zero-turn won’t fire up if the carburetor is unable to control the mixture of air and fuel entering the engine.

Gummy and crusty deposits from old fuel might prevent the little components in your carburetor from moving freely and hence impair its performance.

If your carburetor isn’t working right, you’ll need to clean it and replace any pieces that got caught or got damaged during cleaning.

I have provided a SOLUTION in the form of a list of steps for cleaning your carburetor.

If you’re handy with tools and used to handling tiny pieces, then follow these instructions.

The carburetor on your lawnmower can be cleaned or rebuilt professionally, or you can get a new one and install it yourself.

Dead Battery, Loosen Cables, or Corroded Terminals

In order to power the beginning motor on a Toro zero-turn mower, a battery must be connected to the starting mechanism. If the mower doesn’t make any noise when you try to start it, or if it clicks, hums, or makes other noises, check the batteries, cords, and connections.

Your zero-turn may refuse to turn over because of a dead battery, slack cables, or rusted terminals. Inspect the battery terminals to ensure they are not rusted and are firmly attached.

Make that your battery is fully charged and can maintain its charge.

A multimeter test should be performed on your Toro battery. Your battery has to be charged if the volt reading is lower than 12.7.

If your battery is no longer holding a charge, you should get a new one. Here you may learn about the process of charging a battery and the tools you’ll need.

Verify the integrity of all connections and the tightness of all cords.

To avoid injury, disconnect the battery wires before inspecting any corroded parts. Then, use a baking soda solution made from 2 cups of water and 3 rounded tablespoons of baking soda to get rid of and clean any corrosion. Make use of a wire brush to thoroughly clean the connectors.

A Toro Zero Turn Mower with a Defective Safety Switch

The safety features of your zero-turn include an operator presence control system. Your zero-turn may not turn over because of a faulty safety switch.

ANSWER: Use a multimeter to check your switch. The safety switch can be temporarily disabled during troubleshooting to help pinpoint a faulty unit.

Never mow the lawn without first flipping the safety switch.

If a safety switch has been removed from a lawn mower, you should never use it. There’s no telling when you’ll need a safety switch until it’s too late to prevent major injury.

Toro Zero Turn Mower with a Bad Ignition Switch

If turning the key in the ignition doesn’t do anything, you should probably examine the switch.

A multimeter can be used to check the ignition switch, which is the suggested solution. In case the switch is broken, substitute it.

Toro Zero Turn Mower Has a Faulty Starter Solenoid

Starter solenoids are electromagnetic switches that, like an on/off switch, activate the starter motor to crank the engine. The solenoid should be checked if you hear a click or hum when you turn the key in the ignition.

When a wire leading to your solenoid becomes too hot, smokes, or melts, that’s another sign you might have a defective solenoid.

Follow these instructions to test your solenoid. If the solenoid is faulty, it must be replaced.

Toro Zero Turn Mower with Leaking Gas Cap

The gas cap isn’t just there to keep the fuel within the tank; it also serves as a vent.

If air isn’t able to enter the fuel tank through the vent and maintain a constant pressure inside, a vacuum will result when the pressure inside the tank drops below that of the surrounding atmosphere.

The petrol in the tank won’t be able to reach the carburetor because of the vacuum. There will be no fuel to ignite the engine.

If your Toro won’t start when you loosen the gasoline cap and turn the key, you might have a faulty fuel cap. It could be the fuel cap if it starts, runs OK for a time, and then loses power once you let off the accelerator.

If the fuel cap on your Toro zero-turn mower is leaking, you need to replace it.

Toro Zero Turn Mower Has A Defective Charging System

There may be other causes for your Toro zero-turn mower not starting, but a weak battery could be one of them.

When the battery isn’t fully charged, the mower won’t start. This might happen if the charging system malfunctions.

One of the many electrical components that could be at fault is the stator or alternator. If you want to know how to use an ohm meter to inspect your battery charging setup, read this article.

After determining that your charging system is malfunctioning, the best course of action is to have it checked out at a local Toro dealer.

The charging system consists of a large number of individual parts. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll probably just start throwing components at your mower in the hopes of finding the one that breaks.

Electric lawn mower components might be pricey. Electric components are almost certainly final sale. Therefore, you will be left with the costly component even if it turns out to be unnecessary.

Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Toro Zero Turn

When first starting up a zero-turn mower, it’s important to take a few precautions to ensure it’s running safely.

You can avoid activating the safety features that turn off your lawnmower by following the instructions in the manual.

Start the Toro after putting on the parking brake and shifting into neutral.

Is Your Toro Lawnmower Still Giving You Trouble?

Owning a lawnmower that never breaks down would be ideal, but that almost never happens. When you own a lawnmower for any length of time, you’re bound to experience some sort of issue.

If you’re having issues with your Toro mower, I’ve compiled a list of the most common ones, along with their potential causes and my recommended courses of action for correcting them.

Read More About: Toro Lawnmower