Did you check the oil level? Sounds like you ran it low on engine oil.

i was not aware it has a low oil shut down but i will try that

Try a squirt or two of Gunout's small engine cleaner
Have to remove the air cleaner to do this. Worked more than once on my 20017. Wally Mart has the best price.

well i put a little oil in and still no start. the plug is good but still no spark.

How fresh is the gas? Maybe try draining the old gas and putting in some fresh. Also try the Gumout thing as mentioned above...that has been a lifesaver for my 5-yr-old B&S 6.25. Also, put in a new air filter and clean out the fins/air filter area. (May want to see if it will start after removing the air filter, cleaning that whole area with Gumout, etc.) I have found this procedure helps as well.

And definitely check your spark plug. Is it fouled/black, bad gap? Clean it off with sand paper down to shiny metal or better yet get a new one.

Well, I've got to ask this question. You ARE holding the bale down to the handle bar before you yank on the rope aren't you? I have heard of people not so familiar with power mowers not doing this, believe it.

UNLESS you have actually tested the spark plug with a tester, change the plug anyway. It's just too inexpensive NOT to. They can look good, but fail to perform under compression.

i am holding the bail down, and i have tried two different spark plugs that work fine in another mower. i really dont know what else it could be the mower does not have that much run time.

How new is this mower?
Supposedly that model has a 2 year guaranteed to start "promise".

2003 model

What are the engine brand/model/numbers?
Maybe I can refer you to a service manual to download.
That way we can keep on the "same page". (pun)

model 20017
serial # begins with 23

i forgot its a toro

If you have confirmed no spark, known good spark plugs make no difference, maybe you have a bent switch arm -which is easy to do on the Tec engines. It is the arm the brake cable attaches to on the engine. If it appears bent away from the engine- bend it back. If not, it is either the coil or possibly the kill switch . If you have an ohmmeter- with the bail pulled, the little spade terminal that hooks to the coil should not be grounded. If it is, funky switch or wire to the switch. Good luck.

Again- "What are the engine brand/model/numbers? "

I know it's a Toro MOWER!

ENGINE is where the problem is-ergo those are the numbers we need:-)

It also doesn't have a 'low oil shut-off'. He meant it may have heated up and seized because of low oil. Tecumsehs are usually very reliable and don't have a lot of trouble with the ignition coil.

well i found the problem the kill lever cable seemed not to be moving enough to allow spark. i seems to be ok for now. thanks for all the help. and sorry for the confusion

Toro 20017 2005 model year

Tecumseh LEV195EA-362003B
All looks normal BUT, plug not getting spark. Pull plug and comes out wet. Tried new RJ19LM still no start.
Tested Kill sw ....is good. Looked at coil, seems to be ok. Anyway to test , on of off the engine?
Would replace if were bad. What would this set me back in $$$?

rear wheels lock up on my self propelled toro mower when l pull back on the it. anybody know what it could be?