How to Check for a Short on a Rider Mower

Riding mowers use small engines that operate much like the engine in your car. Once the ignition is engaged, power from the battery energizes the starter and gets the mower running. If your engine has problems cranking or it fails to maintain power, there’s a chance that you have a short in the wiring. Fortunately, you can troubleshoot a short on your own by measuring readings between electrical connections.

Multimeter

Instructions

- 1
  Disconnect the positive and negative leads from the battery.
- 2
  Turn your multimeter setting to the 50 volt range.
- 3
  Place probes between the center of each battery post and note the voltage for this reading and for subsequent checks. Place the probes between the positive and negative cable clamps.
- 4
  Take the same reading between the center of the negative post and the positive lead as well as the negative post and the starter motor’s solenoid lug.
- 5
  Use the probes to check between the center of the positive battery post and the positive cable clamp.
- 6
  Examine the voltage readings for all tests between steps 2 and 5.The readings should all be the same. Otherwise, clean the connectors and take the readings again. If the voltage is low from testing between the battery posts and the leads but normal between the battery posts, the leads may have the short. If it's low between the battery posts, the battery may need recharging.

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