[mr_tiggy]

I hope someone may be able to shed some light on an issue have have with my new HRX2173HZC.
It is 2 months old. The mower started fine with the key start for a month. Than it quit so I thought the battery must be low. So I charged it once for a day. Tried the starter, did not work. Charge again with a different cord and plug just to make sure its charging. Still the key start does not work.
What it does is produce a hard knock when I try to start it. I can start it with the pull start.... thought that is a chore in it self.
I own last years model minus the key start and pull starting that machine is a breeze. With this new one if you don't time the pull right or don't release the cable fast enough it will tear your arm off. Needless to say the cable has broken 3 or 4 times in the last couple of weeks and I am more than sick of this issue. I would take it to my local deal but he has decided that he doesn't want to repair my machine because I did not buy the unit from him (he did not have one in stock when I needed it/he also didn't want to sell it to me at Honda's sale price of $150 off). Does this sound buggered to anyone else or is it just me?
What i know is: the batter shows 12.4 ish on the volt meter, the charger says 14.4 i think when plugged in, and when when the charger is plugged in to the battery it shows 12.51(though this may increase as the battery charges?)
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

 

[[email protected]]

I hope someone may be able to shed some light on an issue have have with my new HRX2173HZC.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Mike

Hi Mike:

Sorry to hear of the trouble, but let's see what we can do:

(1) If the starter motor is knocking/clicking, but not turning the starter or engine, it sure sounds like the battery has failed or is weak, even after a solid charge period. The battery in the HRX is a Cylon-brand battery, and is generally very reliable. If the battery has indeed failed, and it's determined to be a factory defect, it should be covered under warranty. If your dealer isn't going that way, you should contact Honda Customer Relations to discuss; they are available 9-5/M-F at 770-497-6400.

(2) The recoil start is smooth, and here are a few tips to make it work best: (a) Pull the rope out slowly until you feel some resistance, then, pull it briskly upward, and gently let it down to the eyelet. (b) Don't yank the handle aggressively like pulling a tooth; it needs a smooth and even pull, not lightening-fast. If it's still hard to pull or isn't smooth, there could be problems internally. Again, if found to be a factory defect, should be covered under warranty.

(3) All Honda dealers are under agreement with Honda to provide warranty service (they are NOT obligated to provide NON-warranty service) regardless of where the unit was purchased. Of course, a dealer is an independent business, and can do whatever he wants, but it's in his best interest to take care of all customers with Honda mowers. Again, if you can't make progress on this with the dealer, consider finding another one, or contact Honda to see what can be done.

 

[mr_tiggy]

Thanks for the reply. It is unfortunate that my local dealer feels the way he does. This matter would have been resolved a long time ago.
One other thing I didn't mention was that if you try to start the mower and you get your initial knock and then hold the key for another second or so(which one probably should do anyway) it blows the fuse.
As for the pull start. I guess I am puzzled because I don't know why it doesn't behave the same as the previous years mower. Just a nice gentle pull and away she goes. This one... well you are probably right and there probably is something a miss. I'll have to drop it off and see what they can do.
Cheers

 

[mr_tiggy]

So it seems the Honda Dealer that is 45 min away is pretty book and probably couldn't get to the mower for a week. I use the mower 30 times a week and would like to avoid not having it.
So If you are still following my thread Robert, and if you would be so kind, possibly give me a few things to check on my own to try and get this girl operating properly?
Other things I can tell you. This new mower seems to have black on the inside of the air filter where as my year old honda mower does not? I also have a new billy goat vacuum with the same Honda motor and it's filter is clean as well. Plus it pull starts easy also.
Could this possibly be a timing issue?
I did pull the spark plug and the pull start is easy to pull.
This mower has some sort of auto choke feature, maybe this is causing some sort of issue?
Mike

 

[[email protected]]

Mike, from what you described about the electric start issue, it sure sounds like the battery isn't producing enough power to properly turn the starter motor. Since the charger is showing 14+ volts output, I think it's safe to say the charger is probably okay. I would suspect the battery has at least partially failed. The rest of the electric start system is quite robust, and it's unlikely there any issue with it, unless there's been water intrusion to the cables, starter motor, etc., of if there's been physical damage to the wiring starter motor, etc.

For the hard-starting when using the recoil, a few things: (1) Disconnect the spark plug cap and remove the spark plug. Slowly pull the recoil handle a few full strokes. You should feel some drag as the piston and valves move, but nothing really difficult or excessive. With the spark plug out, there's no real compression, and the rest of the parts should move smooth and with little effort. If not, there may be some damage or binding in the pull-start reel, rope or ratchet assembly. (2) All Honda mower engines have a compression-release device that holds open an valve briefly when you are pulling the starter rope to reduce the effort required. As the engine starts to turn just a bit faster during the pull, the compression-release disconnects and lets the valves operate normally. Should this device fail, it can be a rear arm-strainer to get the engine started.

Both detailed inspection and repair of the recoil starter and compression release parts are somewhat involved, and I don't recommend they be done by a DIY'er without a shop manual and medium to above-average mechanical skill and a good assortment of tools. This is especially true for a unit that may qualify for warranty repairs. The last thing you want to do is tear into the machine, not find the problem, and then not be able to get it back together before having to take it to the dealer. You run a strong risk a the warranty being denied if you attempted repairs and caused a situation where more work is required to make the mower operate properly.

Now if you weren't under warranty, have at it. You can buy a detailed factory shop manual direct from Honda at their eBay store, free shipping. Here' s a link to the one for your HRX:

Honda HRX217 Lawn Mower Service Repair Manual 61VH700E7 | eBay

 

[mr_tiggy]

Yes I am reluctant to tear into the machine as I do not want to some how void my warranty. I was hoping there my be some external checks I could do. Thanks for the link to the manual, I will probably pick one up. Unfortunately I don't think there is free shipping to Canada :-/
Thanks for your responses.
Mike

 

[mr_tiggy]

So I decided to crack open the valve cover. Here is what I see

The pin in the first pic, should it not be higher out of the hole? In the second pic it shows the pin is not attached to the rod...that is should be attached to?
I am thinking this has a lot to do with my problem. How is this pin suppose to stay attached to the rod?
Valve clearances seem to be ok. .15 for intake and .20 for exhaust.
Be nice to hear your opinion rob,
Thank ya kindly
Mike