You can shut off a lawn mower in 7 ways, including disconnecting its spark plug, grounding the engine, using the manual override, and turning off its power source. If you've ever finished mowing your lawn to find that your trusted lawn care companion no longer wants to stop, it's easy for intrusive thoughts about lawn mowers accounting for 22% of garden injuries to set in.
But don't panic — Mowrator is here to help you learn how to turn off a lawn mower engine that won't stop. We've researched and written 7 different ways that you can put a stop to your overenthusiastic lawn mower.
Key Takeaways
- To shut off a lawn mower that won't stop, you can use methods like disconnecting the spark plug, grounding the engine, applying the full choke, or cutting off the fuel supply for petrol mowers.
- Try releasing the stop lever, disconnecting the power source, or using a manual override for electric mowers.
- Common reasons for a mower not shutting off include faulty ignition switches, loose wiring, or malfunctioning control cables, which may require inspection and repair.
- Regular maintenance, such as oil changes and blade sharpening, ensures lawn mower longevity and efficient performance.
7 Emergency Ways to Shut Off a Lawn Mower That Won't Stop
Turning a lawn mower off that won't stop can be divided into seven methods. You can disconnect the spark plug, apply the full choke, cut off the fuel supply, and ground the engine for petrol lawnmowers. If you have an electric lawn mower, you can release the stop lever, disconnect the power source, and use the manual override.
1. Ground your Engine (Petrol)
Grounding your engine is one of the most reliable ways to throttle it. To ground your lawn mower, you need to find the kill wire or grounding table that's connected to the ignition coil. Using insulated tools and safety equipment, you can activate the kill switch through a specific lever or button on your lawn mower or manually connect the wire to any metal part.
If the wire is touching metal, no spark should be able to form in your engine, and it will shut off. If the mower is running despite the wire touching, ensure the wire is firmly placed against the metal.
2. Disconnect your Spark Plug (Petrol)
If your petrol lawn mower keeps cutting even after you've tried to turn it off, disconnecting your spark plug is a simple way to stop it. You can find the spark plug on the front or back of your lawn mower engine, acting as a DIY kill switch. Keep an eye out for a thick, insulated cable that connects directly to your engine.
Before removing your spark, ensure your lawn mower is not in motion. You can place your face towards a solid object like a wall or fence to release the handle without your lawn mower running off.
DO NOT use your bare hands to pull on your spark plug — instead, use gloves and a pair of pliers to disconnect the spark plug.
3. Apply the Full Choke (Petrol)
Your full choke is the lungs of your lawnmower, so by “choking” your engine of air, you can stop a lawnmower that keeps running despite you turning it off. Keep revving your lawn mower's engine while you hold its choke level or trigger until it completely shuts off. Modern lawnmowers often have automatic choke systems, so you must manually block the mower's airflow.
Start by removing the air filter, covering the carburettor with a rage or gloved hand, and holding until the engine stalls. If you turn off your lawn mower engine this way, remember, it causes the engine to flood with more fuel than usual. Wait for it to dry (about 30 minutes) before you start your engine again.
4. Cut off your Fuel Supply (Petrol)
Cutting off your lawn mower's engine when it won't stop is as simple as cutting off its fuel supply. Most petrol engines have a shut-off valve at the fuel tank base along the carburettor. Some may not, so you must pinch the fuel line or shut it off with a DIY shut-off valve.
If your engine has a fuel valve, it's as simple as rotating it towards the OFF position to prevent any fuel from entering into the carburettor.
DO NOT stop holding onto your engine when you shut off the valve. Continue to make contact and stop your mower from moving until the mower has burnt through its fuel, stalls, and shuts off.
5. Release the Stop Lever (Electric)
Every electric lawn mower, large or small engine, will have a type of stop level or emergency stop button that ceases all functions. This will be located either on the handle of the electric lawn mower or on the app you use to control your lawn mower. Our remote-controlled lawn mower, the Mowrator S1 4WD, has a big emergency stop button at the centre of its Smart Remote Control that lets you stop your mower immediately.
6. Disconnect your Power Source (Electric)
For corded lawnmowers, turning off a running mower is as simple as unplugging it from the wall socket or extension cord. Simply find the power cord connection, turn it off, and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Before you do, check that there are no signs of wear and tear, cuts, or damage.
If you have a cordless lawn mower, you won't be able to turn off your lawn mower directly. Instead, you should find the battery compartment of your lawn mower and remove it.
7. Use the Manual Override (Electric)
If disconnecting your power source or releasing the stop lever hasn't stopped your lawn mower blade spinning, you may need to override your electric lawn mower manually. Modern electric mowers have a manual override or safety key to access a secondary power cut-off.
Once it has been overridden, you should unplug the mower from its electrical outlet (corded) or remove the battery (cordless) and wait for the mower blades to stop.
Why Won't My Lawn Mower Shut Off?
There are several reasons why your lawn mower suddenly won't shut off, including a bad ignition switch, loose wires, and a broken grounding device. Here’s a complete list of why your lawn mower won’t shut off:
- A faulty ignition switch
- Your switch stop is not making contact
- A damaged or loose piece of wiring
- Malfunctioning control cable
- A broken grounding device
- Kill switch failure
Mowrator's selection of remote-controlled lawn mowers delivers high power with an eco-friendly design and a fully responsive Smart Remote Control. Save on maintenance and small engine repair parts by investing in a lawn mower of the future. Shop our collection today.
FAQs on How to Shut Off a Lawn Mower That Won't Stop
How can a lawn mower be kept running for as long as possible?
Regular maintenance is key to keeping a lawn mower running actively for as long as possible. For example, changing the oil every 25–50 hours of use can extend engine life by up to 15 years, while sharpening the blades every 25 hours improves cutting efficiency and reduces strain on the motor.
Why do I have to choke my lawn mower to keep it running?
If you need to choke your lawn mower to keep it running, it is likely due to the engine running too lean, meaning there is not enough fuel in the air-fuel mixture. This can be caused by issues such as a clogged carburettor, dirty or damaged fuel jets, or air leaks in the intake system, which restrict proper fuel flow and require the choke to enrich the mixture for the engine to operate.
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