Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Briggs & Stratton Engine in Sears riding Mower

My Sears riding mower has a Briggs & Stratton engine Model No. 31H4777, type No. 0226-E1> It has two problems.

It does not start. When You turn key engine may groan and it might even turn a half turn. It acts like a bad battery but battery was checked and found OK. Does it need new solenoid or starting motor?

Alternator does not charge battery. Voltage on AC side 3+ on DC side 2+. Head lights are OK.

Can both jobs be done by a shade tree mechanic?

O.K. stupid qiestion. How do you know the alternator is not working if the engine won't start? Engine has to be running to check alternator voltage.

First;
Check the oil, if overfull, does it smell like gas.
Remove the spark plug/s and see if the engine will rotate freely, then post back and someone will suggest what to do next. Have a good one. Geo

Look really close at the battery. Check the voltage when the battery is under load.. If you checked it with a multi-meter, unless it has a load on it, you may chasing a dead battery.... Roger

This is a common problem on your engine and most all briggs ohv engines. The valves need to be adjusted. Put the engine at TDC on the compression stroke and set the clearance to .005" on both valves. This is part of the recommended routine maintenance for that engine. If they are too loose, the compression release mechanism cannot work and therefore it won't crank easily.

O.K. stupid qiestion. How do you know the alternator is not working if the engine won't start? Engine has to be running to check alternator voltage.

Simple, I checked the voltage when they tractor was running. The non-start problem developed out of the blue.