I have a craftsman LT2000 with an 18.5 hp Briggs. The starter motor will spin fine but won't engage the flywheel. It just sits in the lower position and spins. What is the fix?

The keys are not dropping in the clutch fan. Lightly tap with hammer before attempting to start. Will need to replace eventually.

Most starters will have a bendix shaft, once the motor starts to rotate the gear follows the bendix thread up into the fly wheel ring gear, so there is either not enough charge in the battary, or the bendix on the starter motor is bad, or the gear itself is bad, or the battary is wired up the wrong way.

check key switch first, and fuse.

take it off and see if the gear is broken (you can buy the gear at napa)or did the shaft the gear rides on got a little rusty over the winter

If the starter is spinning when you try to start but doesn't spin the engine over then you most likely have teeth missing off the flywheel ring gear. The facts that you say you have to push it and then it starts means the flywheel position changes and the starter has good teeth on the flywheel to engage. To confirm this next time the engine won't crank over remove the starter and look inside at the flywheel for missing flywheel teeth.

You are right, that is , the shaft that engage to the flywheel don,t get to connect at the flywheel . Try fixing the starter.

From your description it seems that the starter is not engaging to turn over the engine. First ensure all the connections of the thicker cables to the battery, starter and tractor frame are clean and tight. If starter motor is turning but still not engaging it will mean that the pinion on the starter motor is binding on the shaft. You can buy a new starter pinion gear from your local B & S agent.
To replace pinion, remove starter motor from engine, remove old pinion and put on new one and reattach starter to engine. If fuel & spark are right you should be up amd running.

Check the flywheel for areas of damaged teeth also. Broken teeth on the starter drive gear may inticate damage to flywheel also.

Starter motor spins, but does not engage

1. Check the starter motor for a seized or binding pinion gear.
2. Remove the flywheel inspection plate and check for a damaged ring gear.
3. Engine stalls immediately when started
   1. Check the ignition switch condition and operation. The electrical contacts in the run position may be worn or damaged. Try restarting the engine with all electrical accessories in the off position. Sometimes turning the key on an off will help in emergency situations, however once the switch has shown signs of failure, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
   2. Check for loose, corroded, damaged or shorted wires for the ignition system and repair or replace.
   3. Check for manifold vacuum leaks or vacuum hose leakage and repair or replace parts as necessary.
   4. Measure the fuel pump delivery volume and pressure. Low fuel pump pressure can also be noticed as a lack of power when accelerating. Make sure the fuel pump lines are not restricted. The fuel pump output is not adjustable and requires fuel pump replacement to repair.
   5. Check the engine fuel and ignition management system. Inspect the sensor wiring and electrical connectors. A dirty, loose or damaged sensor or control module wire can simulate a failed component.
   6. Check the exhaust system for internal restrictions.

Look under 'My Profile' (Longhorn294 in the top right corner of this page)on page 5 at this post and solution. "craftsman riding mower starter will spin but not engage". Dwain