My Murray Tractor Battery Will Not Charge

Battery Quality

• In most cases, when a battery fails to charge or to maintain its charge, there is something wrong with the battery. The battery may have weakened over time with frequent use, or you may have purchased a faulty battery. A battery should last about four years for a Murray tractor. If the battery is new, try to exchange it at the location from which you bought it and get a new battery. If it is older, purchasing a new battery may resolve your issues. Check with a volt meter to see if the battery has a charge before you replace it. A Murray tractor should read between 11 and 13 volts when not running. If the motor is running, the reading should be about 13.5 volts.

Connections

• Before you purchase a new battery, check that no other issues are causing the battery to fail to charge. Check all the connections between the charger and the battery for loose wires or connectors. Examine the connectors to check for corrosion on the leads. If you find corrosion, use a mild acid to clean off the leads and reconnect the battery. Once the leads are clean, try to charge the battery again.

Wiring Issues

• In addition to a loose connection, wiring issues can sometimes be the cause of electrical problems, such as the battery failing to charge. Check all the wires for excessive wear and tear, such as broken wire looms meant to protect the metal wire inside. A blown fuse can also create an issue with battery charging. If you have difficulty charging the battery while inside the Murray tractor, take it out and use an external charger to check if the battery itself is capable of charging. If so, the issue is likely in the wiring within the tractor.

Symptoms

• If you are dealing with a battery that charges, but cannot hold its charge, you will notice some specific symptoms. A battery that does not charge at all results in a tractor that does not start. However, if your tractor starts, the charging method itself is not the problem. If your battery no longer holds its charge, you can use the lawn tractor until you stop. Once you stop moving, the engine stops running and you can't restart the mower. This can cause issues if you cannot mow your lawn in one sweep.