Hustler Mower Makes a Clicking Sound but Won’t Start (5 Possible Reasons)

The engine doesn’t start when you turn the key in the ignition. The solenoid isn’t supplying enough current to turn on the starter motor, so all you hear is a clicking noise.

A weak battery, bad ground, broken beginning solenoid, malfunctioning starter motor, or loose or corroded cables, cabling, or terminals can all cause a Hustler mower to click but fail to start or turn over.

Follow all of the Hustler’s recommended safety procedures. If you are not confident working on the electrical system of your mower, you should get it checked out by an expert.

When working on electrical systems, remember to always start by removing the negative (black) connection from the battery.

Before diagnosing, repairing, or operating, be sure you’ve read and understood all of the safety recommendations in the equipment’s operator’s manual.If you are unsure of how to proceed, lack the necessary expertise, or are unable to execute the repair properly, you should seek the advice of a professional.

5 Causes Why Your Hustler Mower Is Clicking But Won’t Start

Hustler Mower Battery, Wiring, or Terminals are Damaged or Loose

The mower’s continual vibration poses a threat to the integrity of the cables. Before you worry about the battery, make sure everything is connected and working properly.

Check the connections between the battery and solenoid, as well as between the solenoid and the starter motor.

Make sure there is no corrosion interfering with the terminals or connections. If you notice any corrosion buildup, you’ll need to get rid of it.

Ensure that your mower is completely dry before putting it away in a dry place to minimize corrosion.

The ANSWER is to change out the frayed or broken wires and cables. Your Hustler mower’s inability to start could be the result of a dead battery or damaged wires.

To clean the mower, disconnect the battery and take out any corroded parts.

The combination of a wire brush and two cups of water plus three heaping tablespoons of baking soda should do the trick. Corroded wire should be fixed or replaced.

To prevent corrosion of the terminals and wiring, dielectric grease should be used. When terminals are worn out or broken, replace them.

Hustler Lawnmower Has a Weak or Dead Battery

It may be impossible to get the engine started with a weak battery.

Battery voltage should be checked. If the battery is low, you can charge it by connecting it to a battery charger. The battery is dead and needs to be replaced when you discover it won’t retain a charge.

Check the Hustler charging mechanism if you are able to charge the battery but it continues dying. For more on the power delivery mechanism, read on.

Battery voltage testing for Hustler lawn mowers.

Red and black multimeter prongs should be used to make contact with corresponding terminals. The Hustler mower typically uses a 12-volt battery.

The voltage of a 12-volt battery can range from 11.50 to 12.70. A fully charged battery will read around 12.7V, whereas an almost dead battery will report closer to 11.5V.

How to charge the battery on a Husqvarna lawn mower:

• Wear protective clothing to shield your eyes and skin from acid and electrical currents.
• Locate the battery’s terminals and gain access to them. To get to the battery or battery case, you may need to unscrew the lawnmower’s body.
• Keep the battery plugged into its terminals and in its case.
• The positive (red) charging cable should be plugged into the positive (red) terminal of the battery, and the negative (black) charging cable should be plugged into the negative (black) terminal of the battery.
• Keep the rubberized charging cords and clamps from making direct contact with your skin.
• Adjust the charger’s voltage and current to suit your needs. Typically, a lawnmower will have a voltage of 12 volts. A higher amperage (from 2 amps up to 10 amps) will speed up the battery charging process.
• Keep the charger plugged in as long as the battery charging gauge indicates it needs to be.

The solution is to use a battery charger on the Hustler whenever the battery is low. It’s time to get a new battery if you notice that the old one won’t retain a charge.

You should check the charging system if the battery may be fully charged with a battery charger but you always find it dead when you want to use your Hustler.

Bad Hustler Lawn Mower Ground

Make sure the Hustler’s black ground cable connecting the battery and frame is in good working order. It ought to be corrosion-free and have good contact qualities.

Verify the solenoid’s ground connection as well. Self-grounding describes the property of a 3-post solenoid.

REMEDY: Swap out the frayed grounding wire. If there is rust on the battery or starter solenoid’s grounds, clean it off.

Hustler Lawnmower with a Faulty Starter Solenoid

The starter solenoid should be checked after you have ensured the battery, wires, and connections are in good working order. If your mower makes a clicking or buzzing noise but won’t start, this is likely the cause.

The solenoid is essentially a toggle switch. The starter motor is activated by pressing a button on an electromagnet switch.

Most solenoids are attached to the starter itself. They need not be, though, in order to serve their purpose. To reach the solenoid, use the positive battery cable.

A Hustler starter solenoid might fail for a variety of reasons. It’s possible for the internal spring to weaken or for the copper plate to corrode over time.

The failure of the starter solenoid might also be caused by a poor ground, a weak starter, or a weak battery.

Check the solenoid that controls the starter. In addition to wrenches, a volt-ohms meter, screwdriver, and continuity light will come in handy.

To learn how to fix the starter solenoid on your Hustler, click here. Bypassing the solenoid to start the mower indicates that it needs to be replaced.

Hustler Lawnmower Starter Motor Issues

If the battery, cables, cabling, ground, and starter solenoid have all been inspected and found to be in good working order, but the problem persists, the starter may be at fault. The starter can be taken out and examined.

A lawnmower’s starter can be an expensive component. Before you go out and buy a new starter motor, it’s a good idea to get the diagnosis from your local dealership.

A local repair shop that focuses on starting and alternator repairs can also test the starter for you.

Related topic: Hustler’s Battery Drains Due to Faulty Charging System

If your Hustler mower has a faulty charging system, your battery won’t stay charged and you won’t be able to start the mower.

Check the charging system with a volt-ohm meter by following the instructions provided here.

If your Hustler lawnmower’s battery stops being charged, you should have a professional who is knowledgeable with your charging system check it out and make any necessary repairs.

It can be challenging to pin down the root of a charging system problem.

The charging method is complicated, and if you don’t understand it, you’ll probably simply end up tossing pieces at your mower.

Since electrical components cannot be returned if they are installed incorrectly, this can quickly become costly. There could be an issue with the regulator, the stator/alternator, or any other electrical component.