It’s a good Saturday morning, and you just finished giving your grass the cut it deserves, and you’re deservedly proud of the homeowner that you are. However, you want to turn off the engine, but the machine won’t bulge. Trust me; it can be a pretty disturbing experience if it’s happening for the first time.
If you find yourself in this position, the first thing to do is to be calm and composed. The issue is minor, and you’ll get your mower working in no time if you know what to do.
This article will educate you on everything you need about the Toro lawn mower that won’t stop running. You’ll learn the potential causes of the issue and how you can solve them.
What to Do If Your Toro Lawn Mower Won’t Stop Running?
Ironically, if your machine refuses to stop running, your first move should be to make it stop. You can turn off the mower in a few different ways when the switch fails. If you’re low on fuel, let it run out, and the mower will turn off itself.
Alternatively, the best way is to use a stick or plastic plier to remove the spark plug connector. It’s easy to do so in a Toro push mower, as the spark plug is usually located somewhere outside it. You can diagnose and solve the issue once you’ve successfully made the mower stop running.
Common Causes and Easy Fixes
This section will educate you on all the possible causes of the issue and how to fix them.
1. Faulty Ignition Switch or Loose Connections
The ignition switch is what makes your mower go on and off. It may not respond if it can’t ground because of any underlying issue. Before jumping into the fix, it’s imperative to understand how an ignition switch works.
Once you turn the ignition button off, it creates a path to the ground, which stops the engine. The engine stops because the switch stop electricity flow to the spark plug and transfers it to the engine ground.
The best way to know whether the ignition is the cause of the issue is to diagnose it. Remove the ignition switch from the engine and use a multimeter to test for continuity.
To test for continuity, connect the meter leads to the ignition switch terminals and leave the control bail in the off position. The ignition should show continuity if everything is in the correct order. Put the control bail in the “on” position, and the multimeter should show no continuity.
If the ignition switch passes the continuity test, then it’s not the cause of the problem. However, if it fails, it’s the reason you can’t turn off your machine, and you should do something about it fast.
How to Fix a Faulty Ignition Switch
Sometimes, the connections in and around the switch are the culprit. If that case, you only need to locate and reconnect them to get your Toro mower working again. You can inspect the wires and buy new ones if they’re no more functional.
If there are no loose connections, then the problem is from the switch itself. You’ll need to change the whole thing if this is the case.
Also, ensure that you follow the appropriate steps when performing the replacement. If you’re finding it difficult to replace the switch, take it to a repairer to do it for you.
2. Faulty Cable
The control cable works with the control bail to control your mower’s ignition switch. The control cable pulls the ignition switch actuator back when you engage the control bail, which is what cause the ignition switch to open. The cable lets the actuator springs back, which will close the ignition and shut off the engine.
If there’s any issue with the cable or clips connecting the control cable to the lawn mower handle, your mower may not stop running when you want.
A common issue that you may experience with the cable includes a bend or exposure to rain and dust. If any of these issues is the problem, you may need to change the whole thing to get it working normally again.
How to Change the Control Cable on Your Lawn Mower
- Get a new control cable.
- Disconnect the faulty cable from your mower.
- To begin the disconnection, remove or cut the ties securing it.
- Carefully disconnect the connection between the cable and the control bail. Then, you can remove the cable from the bracket and the ignition switch lever.
- Install the new cable correctly and attach it to the lever and bracket on the engine.
- Reconnect the cable to the control bail and re-secure it to the mower’s handle.
- You’re done installing the control cable, and your mower should function optimally.
3. The Control Bracket Won’t Make Contact with the Switch Stop.
The control bracket and switch stop need to make contact when you release your mower’s handle for the machine to stop working. Sometimes, either of these two components is out of place, and when it happens, the mower won’t stop when you release the handle. This issue occurs when you hit your machine against an obstacle or apply any other unnatural pressure.
It’s among the simplest to repair as you only need to push either of these components so that they touch when you release the handle. You can run this fix with a flathead screwdriver. Most times, when you open your mower’s hood and see any of these components out of place, there’s a nearly 100% chance that it’s the cause of the problem.
4. Disconnected Engine Side Wiring
Disconnected engine side wiring is another possible cause of the Toro lawn mower won’t stop running issue. Open your mower’s hood and check the three connection points at the side of your engine to see if there’s any disconnection. If there’s anyone, simply reconnect them, and your mower should work fine.
A broken wiring harness could also cause the issue, especially if you use a Toro Timecutter. Inspect all the connections and repair the faulty ones. You could use a voltmeter to perform a continuity check to know whether or not there’s a connection problem.
Those are the four possible causes of the Toro lawn mower won’t turn off issue. Instead of having to carry out repairs after the mower isn’t working, prevention is better than cure. The following section will educate you on some preventive measures to help you avoid the issue in the nearest future.
How to Avoid the Toro Mower Won’t Stop Running Issue
No matter how well you maintain your mower, it’s only regular for some components to need occasional replacements. Parts like the ignition switch and control cable are those that you may need to replace now and then. However, if you’re experiencing this issue very early into the machine’s lifespan, there might be some things that you’re doing wrong.
A common self-inflicted cause of the issue in the Toro mower is rough usage. You should be careful when using the mower in a yard with obstacles. Frequent collisions can cause the switch stop and control bracket to bend away from each other. It could also cause disconnection issues among weak wirings in your machine.
Regular maintenance on your mower is another way to ensure it stays in top shape and is void of all starting and running issues. When you regularly inspect all the connections in the mower, you can spot the ones that can go loose and fix them before it happens.
Conclusion
There’s all that you need to know about the Toro lawn mower won’t stop running issues. You learned about the potential causes and how to solve them yourself. It’s imperative to read and understand each fix before you attempt any.
Make the Toro user manual your friend. While it may not tell you how to fix specific issues, you can get the manufacturer’s guide to disconnecting and reconnecting vital connections in your mower.
If you can’t run any of the fixes mentioned above, or you run all of them, and the mower’s not working, don’t hesitate to take it to a qualified repairer. Repairers are trained to fix all kinds of issues and will do a perfect job for you. The mower won’t stop running problem is a minor one and won’t cost you much money to repair.
