Troubleshooting your Honda gas walk-behind mower when it won't move
Check the drive control cable when your lawn mower won't move because the drive cable can stretch over time. Replace the control cable if it's damaged. A worn or broken drive belt will also prevent the mower from moving so check the belt next. Adjust the drive belt or replace it if it's broken.
A failed transmission, broken front deck tray or broken wheel can also cause drive system problems. If your lawn mower won't move, watch our motion drive troubleshooting video to figure out the problem with your mower's drive system.
How to replace the drive cable on your Honda gas walk-behind lawn mower
- Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.
- Pivot the cable clip up and release it from the mower handle. Release the zone control cable from the bail control bar. Release the drive cable from the drive control lever. Depress the release tabs and pull the zone control cable out of the drive cable clip. Cut the cable ties that secure the cables to the mower handle.
- Tilt the mower back to lift the front wheels then secure the mower handle to your work table to hold the mower steady as you remove bottom-mounting screws. Remove the bottom drive cover mounting screws. Release the mower handle from the work table and carefully lower the mower to the upright position. Remove the top drive cover mounting screws. Release the height adjuster lever and pull the drive cover off.
- Remove the drive cable end from the anchor post. Depress the release tabs and pull the drive cable sheath out of the transmission lever. Remove the drive cable.
- Attach the drive cable end to the anchor post. Push the drive cable sheath into the transmission lever.
- Put the drive cover in position on the mower and re-engage the height adjuster lever. Reinstall the drive cover’s top-mounting screws. Tilt the mower back to lift the front wheels then secure the mower handle to your work table. Reinstall the drive cover’s bottom-mounting screws. Release the mower handle from the work table and tilt the mower upright.
- Route the drive cable around the right side of the engine and connect the zone control cable to the drive cable clip. Reconnect the zone control cable to the bail control bar. Connect the drive cable to the drive control lever. Snap the drive cable clip back into the mower handle. Install new cable ties to hold the cables against the mower handle.
- Connect the spark plug wire to the spark plug.