Westwood v20-50 mower problem

Hi all,If anyone has first hand knowledge of the following and can help i'd be most appreciative. I'm hoping someone has had an exact experience of this. I've done a lot of problem elimination diagnosis. Hopefully the following info will help.Problem: engine won't start when warm. Will not produce spark when warm but will when cold. It's a twin briggs and stratton. The westwood is 2004Current conclusions: this isn't a fuel issue, it's definitely electrical. Seems to be related to the safety switches, be it the seat switch, park brake switch, cutter desk switch. I've checked continuity on all switches and they appear to be working correctly but the park brake continuity testing was intermittent. Could it be related to the PCB or is my best guess of the park brake switch the right route to follow?I know is is mega techie but I'm at my wits end with it.Kind regard Neil

Hi presumably from your analysis the engine spins but does not spark.

If that is the case you can rule out seat and deck switch. The seat switch is not in use if the park brake is applied because you do not have to be on the seat to start it if the brake is on. Usually the engine will not turn over if the deck switch is on, so you can eliminate that too. The main problem with the park brake is the mechanism does not pull the switch hard enough. Sometimes a simple tug on the spring will pull it that bit further to allow the engine to spark. It is not an uncommon problem on these Westwood machines. It could be a coil or circuit board problem when hot but they would normally cause the engine to cut out in use as opposed to just fail on hot starting.

Finally if this all fails I would look at fuel solenoid despite your assertion that it is not fuel related. They can often display intermittent faults causing the issues seen.

From experience my bet would be that it is simply the pull not working every time on the park brake switch.
Regards

Derek

Replies

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Derek Tucker April 26, 2014 at 9:24pm

Hi presumably from your analysis the engine spins but does not spark.

If that is the case you can rule out seat and deck switch. The seat switch is not in use if the park brake is applied because you do not have to be on the seat to start it if the brake is on. Usually the engine will not turn over if the deck switch is on, so you can eliminate that too. The main problem with the park brake is the mechanism does not pull the switch hard enough. Sometimes a simple tug on the spring will pull it that bit further to allow the engine to spark. It is not an uncommon problem on these Westwood machines. It could be a coil or circuit board problem when hot but they would normally cause the engine to cut out in use as opposed to just fail on hot starting.

Finally if this all fails I would look at fuel solenoid despite your assertion that it is not fuel related. They can often display intermittent faults causing the issues seen.

From experience my bet would be that it is simply the pull not working every time on the park brake switch.
Regards

Derek
Neil Copeland May 9, 2014 at 7:29am

Hi Derek.

Many apologies for the delay. Your best guess of park brake pull spring fits well so I'm going to see if it is sticking or anything. Is it likely to be worse when the machine is warm?

Apologies for not thanking you sooner, I've been without computer for a couple of weeks.

Regards neil
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Derek Tucker May 9, 2014 at 7:52am

Hi Neil, yes if is sticking it effects warm machines more. By definition when machine is cold it has usually sat for longer with the brake engaged and the spring gradually pulls the switch across further. Very common to start first thing in morning and then not 5 minutes later. Try pulling the spring manually or get a new brake switch. Regards Derek
Neil Copeland May 11, 2014 at 12:58pm

Thank you I'll keep you informed