Just a couple of thoughts.
The clicking could be due to a bad connection on the main starting circuit.

Corrosion on a connection.

Faulty ignition switch.

Faulty solenoid.

Faulty starter motor.

Have you checked to make sure the engine turns over by hand?
When you do get it to crank over be sure the fuel is fresh all the way to the carb.

If you're feeling brave you could try shorting out the solenoid. The two large connections need to be bridged, I use an old pair of pliers to do this, there'll be a few sparks though. Turn on the ignition switch, make sure it's not in drive or the blades engaged. You may need someone to sit on the seat so the safety circuit is engaged.

Good Luck, Phil

 

Just because a battery is new it doesnt mean its charged. Jump it with jumpercables from your car. If it still doesnt start and the cables still hooked up remove the positve cable from the mower battery and touch it to the wire bolted to the starter with the key on.

 

remove the positve cable from the mower battery and touch it to the wire bolted to the starter

I have found when doing this ^^^^^ it's best to hook the positive jumper cable to the starter post/cable then touch the negitive to a frame ground point.

Doing so prevents the arc from messing the threads up on the starter post thus making it easier to remove the nut for starter service.

 

I have found when doing this ^^^^^ it's best to hook the positive jumper cable to the starter post/cable then touch the negitive to a frame ground point.

Doing so prevents the arc from messing the threads up on the starter post thus making it easier to remove the nut for starter service.

Oh some people will do anything to avoid a firework display

Sound advise though

=

 

I have found when doing this ^^^^^ it's best to hook the positive jumper cable to the starter post/cable then touch the negitive to a frame ground point.

Doing so prevents the arc from messing the threads up on the starter post thus making it easier to remove the nut for starter service.

Where does he come up with all these good ideas?

I would say the solenoid is da problem. They're inexpensive and cause more trouble than they are worth. I cannot count the number of times I bought a riding mower that wouldn't turn over the engine, or I only got a clicking sound. Only to replace the solenoid and have the sucker start up.

I believe the solenoid is to the mower what plaque is to your arteries.

 

Just because a battery is new it doesnt mean its charged. Jump it with jumpercables from your car. If it still doesnt start and the cables still hooked up remove the positve cable from the mower battery and touch it to the wire bolted to the starter with the key on.

I've found that if I have a bad solenoid - jumpering from my car battery yields no results. If you jump from your car battery and it won't start - and the cables get HOT - then more than likely bad solenoid.

Better to put the battery on a charger - than to jump start from a car battery.

If battery is fully charged and still no go at the starter - but you hear that click - then the solenoid is the culprit.

 

Where does he come up with all these good ideas?

From experience Rain Man, 18 yrs. in this biz and 12 in the auto biz....I'm not wet behind the ears any longer.....

 

I've found that if I have a bad solenoid - jumpering from my car battery yields no results. If you jump from your car battery and it won't start - and the cables get HOT - then more than likely bad solenoid.

Better to put the battery on a charger - than to jump start from a car battery.

If battery is fully charged and still no go at the starter - but you hear that click - then the solenoid is the culprit.

not necessarily. Could be a bad connection.

 

you are correct sir, in fact, I just recently had that problem. The crimp on connector on the positive lead cable was loose. It could be either a bad connection or a bad solenoid, check all connections/connectors first.

thanks