Tony Maldonado
Tony Maldonado is the repair & diagnostics editor at Mower Mentor. He's the byline on every "won't start," "starts then dies," "white smoke," "won't move," and "won't turn over" article on the site, because he does this work for real - eighteen years operating an outdoor-power-equipment repair shop, EETC Master Technician certified, with factory engine training from Briggs & Stratton, Kohler, and Kawasaki. When a mower comes in dead, Tony's article walks the same fuel → spark → air → compression decision tree he runs at the bench, including the cheap tests he'd do before condemning a $90 carburetor. He owns the carburetor and won't-start pillars because those are the single most common reasons a homeowner gives up on a machine that's an afternoon from running again. His editorial bias is repair-vs-replace honesty: he'll tell you when a fix isn't worth it. Tony works in the US Southwest.
Published work
Articles by Tony Maldonado
Troubleshooting & RepairTest your Craftsman riding mower starter solenoid in about 15 minutes with a screwdriver and multimeter, then fix the click-no-crank for around $18.
Troubleshooting & RepairFix a Craftsman riding lawn mower won't start no clicking: test battery voltage, inline fuse, safety switches, ignition and solenoid with a multimeter.
Troubleshooting & RepairFind the right Craftsman riding mower battery: 12V U1/U1R size chart by model, 5 tested picks, and why yours keeps dying.
Troubleshooting & RepairFix a riding lawn mower won't start no clicking fast: test the battery, ground, fuse, safety switches and ignition in 6 bench-verified steps.
Troubleshooting & RepairDiagnose why your riding mower won't start just clicks: single clunk means solenoid, rapid chatter means a weak battery. Load-test and bypass steps inside.
Troubleshooting & RepairExpect 3–5 years (lead-acid/AGM) or 5–10 (lithium). How long does a riding mower battery last depends on heat and storage, plus the signs yours is dying.
Troubleshooting & RepairYes: here's how to jump start a riding mower battery with a car (engine off) or a jump box. Correct cable order, plus when a jump won't help.
Troubleshooting & RepairPick the right battery charger for riding lawn mower use, then charge it safely: we tested 4 (NOCO, Battery Tender) for amps and time.
Troubleshooting & RepairFix a riding mower battery not charging fast: measure charging voltage (13.5-14.5V at RPM), then isolate a bad stator, regulator, or parasitic drain.
Troubleshooting & RepairSkip re-checking the battery: if your lawn mower won't turn over with new battery, test grounds, solenoid, interlocks, ignition and starter in this order.
Troubleshooting & RepairGet the right gauge and terminal ends for riding mower battery cables, replace corroded cables step by step, and fix cables that run hot fast.
Troubleshooting & RepairFind the right 12 volt battery for riding lawn mower: decode group size (U1 vs U1R), CCA, and AGM vs lithium, then see our tested top picks by brand.
Troubleshooting & RepairTest your Craftsman riding mower starter before you buy: the 3-step starter-vs-solenoid check, engine-specific fitment, and what a replacement really costs.
Troubleshooting & RepairDiagnose why your Craftsman lawn mower won't start with a crank-vs-no-crank flowchart: battery, solenoid, fuse, safety switch or fuel, fixed fast.