How To Troubleshoot A Lawn Mower Gas Pedal Not Working?

Have you ever had difficulty accelerating your lawn mower, despite the fact that it has a gas pedal? Whether this is the case, you will need to know if the problem is fixable and how to repair a lawn mower with a malfunctioning gas pedal.

To begin, gather all of the necessary supplies and tools. The next step is to inspect the safety switches and linkage for any damage or obstruction. If broken drive belts are found, they should be replaced. The throttle cable and other components should also be checked in order to address this problem.

Continue reading the article to learn the easy troubleshooting techniques for a lawn mower gas pedal not working.

 What Causes Lawn Mower Gas Pedal Not Working?

If you are one of the many people who own lawn mowers who experience problems with their gas pedal, you should be aware of what causes this infuriating problem.

It’s likely that the old and strained drive belts on your mower are preventing the transaxle pulley from gripping and spinning enough to engage the transmission gears when the gas pedal is depressed.

This problem could be caused by corroded or worn-out rod bushings, damaged safety switches on the pedal, improper pedal linkage adjustment, or any of several other possibilities.

Knowing the root cause of a problem will help you pinpoint the correct parts of a mower for troubleshooting, making the procedure more efficient and effective.

6 Steps to Troubleshoot a Lawn Mower Gas Pedal Not Working:

Not all lawn mowers are equipped with a gas pedal. Typically, installation occurs after purchase. Therefore, this issue is uncommon, and troubleshooting is equally infrequent.

This article will describe this unusual approach to diagnosing a malfunctioning gas pedal on a lawn mower.

Things you will need to troubleshoot the lawn mower gas pedal not working

You’ll need these things to figure out why your lawn mower gas pedal wont working:

Step-1: Checking All the Linkages

The steering systems of lawn mowers wear down quickly from repeated use in our unleveled backyards. In addition, the lawn Mower linkage assembly is obviously compromised. Misalignments and dirt and debris might cause them to become inoperable.

It is important to look for any abnormal linkage and get them fixed as soon as possible.

Check the linkage adjustment on the pedal and make sure they are not damaged and are in good condition.

Step-2: Check the Pedal for Blockage

The gas pedal is most likely rusted and frozen over. With a hammer, see whether it responds. You might also use WD-40. Push the pedal after noticing the end of the parking lever. The pedal should not be able to be moved because of a component keeping it in place.

Check if something has lodged behind the pedal preventing it from going down or making it unresponsive while mowing.

Step-3: Check the Drive Belt

Your tractor may not move even if you push the foot pedal because the drive belts are worn and strained, preventing the transaxle pulley from engaging the transmission gears. One or both of the belts might cause this.

Both belts can wear or slip, resulting in a loss of force or perhaps no movement. So, unless you have recently changed one of the belts, replacing both upper and lower drive belts is recommended. 

There is a good chance your belt has come loose from a pulley, most likely the tensioner pulley.

If you see a belt slipping off a pulley after it has been spinning for a while, check underneath the tractor to see if it is correctly attached and routed and if so, repair or replace any bent or broken belt keepers.

To fix the drive belt, follow these steps-

• Adjust the position of the mower to fix the belt.
• Check the engine’s temperature.
• Remove the spark plug’s wire, batteries, and cutting deck.
• Loosen the large nut holding the pulley to the input shaft with a 7/16″ socket.
• Remove the upper drive belt and belt guide from the mower.
• With variable speed, detach the belt from the pulley.
• Using a 1/2-inch wrench, remove the belt retainer surrounding the engine pulley. Additionally, remove the nut that secures the crankshaft pulley.
• Remove the mower’s bottom drive belt by pulling it towards the engine.
• Install the replacement lower drive belt by pulling it toward the engine, followed by the new upper drive belt for the riding mower.

Step-4: Check the Safety Switches

There is a pin on the switch. When the pedal is fully depressed, the pin is also forced in. A safety switch on the brake pedal of a tractor is designed to guarantee that the brake is engaged prior to engine start.

• The Switch should be checked.
• Changing out the Switches

You must park the lawn mower and remove the key before attempting to remove the safety switch. Next, make sure the seat is as near to the steering wheel as possible by repositioning it.

Bend down and remove the old safety switch with a screwdriver. Next, disconnect the switch from the wiring and remove it from the vehicle. After you’ve plugged it in, replace the seat safety switch.

Note: First, check whether the safety switches are fine or not. If not, only then replace them. Then, use a multimeter to test the switches.

• Rebooting and Verifying

This phase is the final phase of the procedure. Then, check to see whether the switch works after restarting your lawn mower.

Step-5: Check the Rod Bushings

If the gas pedal on your mower is not functioning properly, the rod bushings have likely been damaged.

The lifting and lowering truck axles are made possible by employing rod bushings, which connect the chassis to the axle.

In addition, vibrations at the rear axle can be reduced thanks to their ability to handle large radial loads.

Step-6: Check the Throttle Cable

In the garden mower, the throttle cable regulates the engine’s speed. The cable should be inspected if the mower gas pedal does not respond or the engine dies when the throttle is used.

If you have seen any of the symptoms of a bad throttle cable, your best bet is to get a new one. However, the new throttle cable may require fine-tuning depending on how your mower behaves.

A cable replacement and cable adjustment entail the following:

• To begin, unplug the defective throttle cable and replace it.
• The new cable should be attached to the handle.
• Connect the new cable to the old one.
• Next, adjust the new cable. With the new wire installed, check to see if your mower is constantly idle or operating at full speed. Based on this, you will need to stretch or relax the throttle cable that was just fitted

Final Verdict

After reading this article, you will understand how to troubleshoot a lawn mower gas pedal not working. You may now quickly eliminate such problems. In addition, you may learn more about these issues by reading the opinions of professionals. Also, Regular mower maintenance may help to prolong your lawn mower’s life.

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