OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Walk Behind Lawn Mower Frames Four Stroke Lawn Mower Frames MTD Yard Machine 4 Stroke Mower - Electric Shock

Hi,I have just bought this mower brand new and other than accidentally overfilling it with oil, which I subsequently drained, it runs beautifully except: it gives low level electric shocks through the handle when I run over any rough stuff. It is fine when running on clear ground. Obviously it is coming from the spark plug. Has anyone heard of this problem? The MTD people aren't available on a Saturday afternoon and I want to cut the grass!

Chrisok,

You must have a loose wire, exposed wire or when assembled a wire has been crimped some how (metal to metal). As to the spark plug you might have some grass causing the the short as green grass wet grass will carry electricity.

Hope that this is of some help but without looking over the machine it is hard to give you a correct answer.

Thanks, Bruce, I did check all of those things. Anyway, the problem is solved! It must have been the oil. Because it was brand new and the oil was so clear I had a hard job seeing when it was full and actually over-filled it to blazes. Also, some oil did spill around the filler and ran down onto the base. I can only assume that it somehow caused the short because after leaving the machine for a couple of hours I started it up and the problem had gone, and hasn't returned even after mowing about 20 square metres. One to chalk up to experience. Thanks for your quick response.
Cheers,
Chriso