How to Test and Repair a Lawn Tractor Charging System

This is a Briggs & Stratton twin-cylinder 26HP engine that is not charging the battery as it should. I will show you how to test and repair it. In this case, we replace the stator (alternator) to get it back up and working. Thanks for watching!
Get your new Briggs Stator/Alternator here: amzn.to/30bsc7n (paid link)
Get your new Briggs Voltage Regulator here: amzn.to/2YlT0A0 (paid link)

[@joeshmo3638]

Great video. Step by step and very methodical. I just tested and ordered my stator/alternator today. Time to have some fun! Thanks!

[@kenk3102]

...Buck....just came across your DIY video and it's exactly what I need to help me repair an elderly neighbor's mower with "no-charge" issue....great
quality video and audio...thanks for posting... 🙂

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much!

[@LBurou]

Informative video covering the basics of troubleshooting this issue on this engine. Well organized, thank you! :)

[@tonycoleman6970]

Very informative...T.

[@Al-Fiallos]

I really appreciated your repair video. I'm not saying that you made it look easy, you just made it look like anyone with a few tools and the desire to fix things can do so much to maintain their own equipment. Thanks, Al.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks Al for sharing with me the DIY spirit!

[@mitchmartin1871]

Very nice work Buck. I think you have probably helped a lot of people by making this video, including me. Thank you!!

[@rocknral]

Great video. Clear and detailed enough to be a real help. Thanks mate 👍.

[@LukeAMcDowell]

Great video! I watched several others before I got to your video. My problem was the connection on the regulator that goes to the battery. You made it super easy to find and after just a few minutes it's working perfectly. Thank you for making this video!

[@Buckwsr]

Great news. Good job fixing it yourself.

[@salvatoresireci2450]

Just what I needed thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and skills.

[@troymcconnell6147]

Solid video! Thank you for sharing! and yes ... ''I'M GOOD WITH THAT!"

[@genel5881]

DUDE your vids are the Best !! thanks TONS for this one ! ive had this issue and a battery salesman convinced me that i have to replace the battery every year because they're all junk. i did the coils replacement, voltage regulator AND the coils... same issue... ran across your vid and BOOM - Done !
My machine is the Ariens 22 B&S V Twin, so close to the same beast... it mows MEGA lawn spring thru fall, and plows Montana snow for a whole cul-de-sac in the winter... so its a busy machine !! Thanks for your time and effort making this vid !!

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the note and kind words! And good job fixing your own machine!

[@rpondyke2121]

Thanks for your video. Very fortunate to find it as I am just now trying to repair my Briggs and Stratton for the same problem. Very helpful.

[@YonderZev]

Perfect walkthrough - exactly what I needed to do with my John Deere mower. Thanks for explaining, demonstrating, and uploaded sir!

[@Buckwsr]

Ok, great. I hope you're tractor is back up and running again!

[@joshuahernandez2867]

Thank you so much. I have spent years jumping my John Deere 118 because it would not hold a charge. This information gives me a great place to start checking things. Thank you so much for taking the timE to share your knowledge

[@cmpineda1035]

Excellent video!! Appreciate the step by step instructions!

[@alexgamingfr9452]

Was about to order a 130$ stator just before watching your video. Only to find out that mine was outputing DC and AC flawlessly like yours. Thanks for your time!

[@Buckwsr]

Great. No point in replacing parts that aren't faulty. But is your battery charging? Or what is the problem you're trying to resolve?

[@pvtcarver]

I think you just saved me a new mower! thanks for the detailed video!

[@100vg]

Excellent work, Buck. Now I know how to troubleshoot and repair the electric system on my tractor mower. Really only two components after verifying wiring is good. Every step covered and well explained. I'll check the regulated Voltage to battery just to see.

[@joshuahernandez2867]

Thank you. You helped me fix my JD 118. I have been jumping it for years.

[@stanleyyelnats1313]

Spectacular video! This is the exact information I needed. I'm learning as I go and this was my next step. Thank you for your time and thanks for sharing sir. Peace and love from Atlanta

[@albertburton4151]

Great instructions. Clear and concise.

[@OLong-fv8vq]

Thanks, always appreciate people willing to do the work ??(and take the time to film and post) to aid others.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you. Hope the video was helpful to you.

[@davidhelinski4965]

One 0f the best DYI i have ever seen. You covered all the bases in detail thank you very much

[@thereckchanic4709]

I learned something new , I never knew that the stator was putting out ac current. Thanks much. Very educational video.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you for watching!

[@LightSpirit24]

Thanks to you, I got my mower to charge now. My issue was a bad wire and corrosion at a wire terminal.

[@vijoella7506]

Appreciate your time and clear instructions that solved my problems.

[@donaldday6388]

Topman good job man

[@wesleymoberly6024]

A very good video!!You showed me every thing that I need to know to check out a charging system on a Husqvarna mower that may have a charging problem.Thank you so much!!

[@renarstudios]

Excellent Video! Shows me exactly what I need to do to check and change out my stator. Thanks

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Dave. Good luck with your tractor!

[@mikemorris2159]

Exactly what I needed. Thank you for sharing !

[@marshallborder9089]

Thanks for the informative lesson

[@martinradtke5181]

Thanks for step by step diagnosis. Son in law has 2002 Simplicity Broadmoor 16 hp B&S Itek engine 405777 with Tuff Torq Hydrostatic tranny. Hour meter over 550 hours. Battery new but runs down after 2-3 weeks. Will first check for bad wiring.

[@claytonbeebe3045]

This is exactly what I needed and I love all the explanations with the multimeter (not my strong suit). Thank you so much for taking the time to explain everything! Greetings from central Alberta, Canada🇨🇦

[@BeemerBobbage]

Excellent diagnostic. Very many thanks

[@bperkins]

Thanks - very helpful. Exactly what I needed.. Great work.

[@ChaosExplained]

Great video! Working on a 1984 John Deere 116, somebody sabotaged the wiring on mine. I know my Staters putting out in my regulator is Black Box old school type before this era came out. Going to retest mine tomorrow after watching your video verifying a few things

[@salder70]

Excellent Video. Very informative. Thank you.

[@DC-cq5xl]

Excellent video!! Appreciate the step by step instructions! (I know I stole the review from below, but his is exactly what I wanted to say.)

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you

[@buick2526]

Thank you Buck I am an auto tech for more than 40 years very well versed in automotive but not in all mowers that was very informative I appreciate your step-by-step analysis

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks so much!

[@joedavis1404]

Fantastic! You’ve solved my issue and saved me some cash! Thank you Sir.

[@Buckwsr]

Great job!

[@MC-hs4mf]

How to disconnect red wire???

[@user-cv1xe9yf3f]

I enjoyed watching you work. Thanks for the display of how it should be done.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you very much!

[@jeromejackson3752]

Great video! I'll be doing this to my mower this weekend as it is the same issue I'm having. Thank you!

[@charlestredway8253]

That was a great demonstration.

[@kennytaylor2738]

Outstanding video!!! Nice job

[@leoramirez7583]

Great video thanks for all that information.

[@tamblyncecil7466]

Great video!! Thanks for the learning opportunity!!

[@handyangie645]

Thank you so much for this video. Excellent description!!!! My John Deere has not been charging for a few years so I just jump start. Haha. I hope to repair it this summer.

[@ryanvarner6520]

Great info! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[@MG-Rovernut]

Very informative video, very clear speech. One the best how to's I've watched. Best wishes from Chris in Manchester England!

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you, Chris. I appreciate the encouragement! Thanks for watching the video.

[@jmonte2811]

Awesome Lesson!! Thanks

[@peteowens3033]

Thanks for the video. I have a 13 HP Brigs experiencing similar charging issues. At full throttle I am only getting 12 to 12.3 volts DC to the battery. Time to do the same. The mower is about 11 years old. Started up after replacing the battery but have to use my jump box every time to start it since. ;-)

[@harveystephens6115]

Exactly what I need to see to do mine!!! Thanks!!!! Enjoyed.

[@custom5bass]

Nice video!!! If anyone has a Kawasaki Engine make sure to check for a bad fuse It could be blown preventing the battery to charge as well.

[@genecasey4460]

Great video. Good information, Great presentation. GOOD JOB!

[@davidcandler9766]

Thanks for a good video, very informative!

[@brandonbingham6507]

Outstanding. You have been incredibly helpful. THANK YOU! I am definitely subscribing.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so very much.

[@consumersgasman8376]

well done,very informative

[@bryanfaz]

Excellent video...thank you!!

[@AllanDSingh]

Fantastic Video. Very helpful

[@davidnash953]

What an incredibly thorough video! I just subscribed to your channel. Thank you for going through step by step and explaining how each part works.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much!

[@derricksauls2008]

Great video and awesome information. Helped me

[@Mr247One]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@kevinintheusa8984]

Great video. I went out on Sunday and my Ariens Zero turn battery was dead. I put my charger on the battery and got it running but when I got off in the yard it was dead again. I put it on the charger longer and got done. I was getting ready to call Ariens for warranty work but now I can check my stater and regulator before I call. Thanks. Great video.

[@Buckwsr]

Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running full throttle. If you're getting 14 volts or so, your charging system is fine. Possibly it's just time for a new battery??

[@amberjack1234]

Thanks. This taught me a lot.

[@jb.4516]

Outstanding video. Have me everything I need to the diagnosis and repair.

[@jayturner7712]

Wonderful detailed explanation and trouble shooting for charging problem....I have current issue on john deer l120 model, battery dies now and then...gonna check regulator and alternator....

[@BrianHoff04]

Nice job with the video. Very helpful info.
The only thing I'd suggest is being very careful hammering on the crank shaft end when trying to pull the flywheel. I always put the nut back on the shaft so that I hammer the nut rather than risk deforming the end of the shaft. But... you were careful & it all worked out. Thank you.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks for the note and the good tips.

[@sherriv.6599]

Thank you for being so detailed. It was awesome for instructions and weeding out why my battery wouldn't stay charged.

[@Buckwsr]

Cool. I hope you were able to get it fixed!

[@Indianaxes]

Made my day. Thanks!

[@teecee8024]

Thanks..Great Informative video.

[@electro9480]

Thanks, Buck, a really great video, I have learned a lot from it.

[@ride4kix]

Thanks for the information.

[@AlexeiTetenov]

Thank you for sharing!

[@77.88.]

Very short and thorough easily understood; thanks

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you!

[@Eekeiner]

Thanks for the video, it helped me a lot.

[@ahmedbandukda3439]

Very interesting work. It will be of great help in future.

[@dawinner777]

Excellent video! Taught like a real pro with excellent knowledge and experience! But you made it showing that anyone can do it. I’ve worked on cars all my life but never did a whole lot on small engines other then cleaning carbs. So this expanded my knowledge. I did my first engine swap. Can you do a video on engine swaps from brand to brand and shaft sizes? I didn’t realize that there were different brand engines that will work on the same frames.

[@Mudmowerdiesel]

Awesome video

[@chuysho29]

Thanks bro for the video very helpful I was having that problem with my tractor

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you. I hope you got it all figured out and repaired now.

[@opinion4246]

Thanks for showing this .it help me.tanks.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you.

[@staceyhill846]

Great video, thank you!!

[@benredmond8271]

Great video! Thanks!

[@timhogan745]

Great vid! Thank you

[@randyd9805]

Excellent and understandable video. I have a truck-mounted carpet cleaning machine that uses a 23 hp B & S engine. I think either the voltage regulator is burned out or possibly the stator. It is not nearly as accessible as a lawn mower because of how the machine is made, but all in all, it's basically the exact same type of system just a little more complicated and hard to work on. Getting to the stator is the biggest issue so I need to find out for sure if that's bad or not. If it is I may have to hire a professional service on this one for help. Anyway, your video was a big help because I'm pretty dumb when it comes to these things, but even I fully understood everything you did. Thanks!!!

[@Buckwsr]

Interesting! I would start by verifying DC voltage at the battery with the engine running full throttle. 13 or 14 volts DC would indicate that everything is working just fine. I was also just wondering in your situation if it were possible to use the truck alternator to charge the machine battery just like it charges the truck battery? That might be an easy work around.... Good luck with the repair, and I'd be interested to know how it turns out.

[@keithingraham8752]

Awesome instructional video

[@quangthai5849]

Good lesson instructor

[@lalola9327]

Pretty well explanation. Thank you

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you so much!

[@billcoley8520]

Always take a picture with your phone of every step during removal.

[@FormulaZ583]

Lol

[@bertgrau3934]

Bill
That's a very good tip. I do that all the time, sure saves time when I have to wait for parts.

[@nathanfryer3538]

Thanks Buck...I figured this is the problem with a friends mower..it's an older Craftsman...Excellant video..take care.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Nathan.

[@segundoramirez6108]

Thanks a million Buckwsr !!!

[@sbond1963]

Thanks for the help. Using your video I found my 50 inch craftsman 26 hp. Problem. It’s where the alternator wires come out from under the plastic cover. that cover chafed my wires, once I repaired that it was good again. I should have tried to fix it years ago instead of replacing batteries. I have since put a small piece of foam on the plastic cover to prevent it from happening in the future. I suspect a lot of B and S engines with that cover may suffer the same fate

[@bradfordwest1837]

Thanks for the video

[@Brian-xu9di]

Thanks, now I have a few things to diagnose tomorrow.

[@gwrace]

I have a brand new china mini skid steer. The unit worked great except for one issue. It would not keep the battery charged. Followed these instructions and found the red lead from the voltage regulator had not been connected at the factory. Had to undo every wire bundle to find it. Had 45-50 volts at the stator. Thank you.

[@robertjohnston472]

Thanks so much for your video. That was very informative and helpful. From a follower in Sydney Australia.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks so much, and good luck!

[@strikeruk1]

great video, very helpfull , thank you

[@josephtaverna1287]

Great video

[@Robert-lo6uf]

Good instructions 👍

[@raymondjunk6996]

good video!

[@JackFerry]

Great job. Thanks!

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Jack.

[@coolturbog]

Thanks for video helped alot!!!

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, George.

[@jeffmckee1851]

Very helpful, nicely done video sir.

[@Buckwsr]

Thanks, Jeff.

[@grahamharris4941]

Brilliant thanks, the solution to my problem.

[@Buckwsr]

Thank you.