Just ran into this issue. I was able to finish the front section of my customers lawn by holding down the start button while mowing. Feel like i’m getting carpal tunnel in my thumb. Thought i’d Google to see if this was a known issue and apparently it is. We’ll see what the Milwaukee service centre can do about it. My hope is the repair will involve a different design from default because I want it fixed, not OEM.
Simple fix is to add a small piece of foam or rubber in the space between the black metal lever and the red plastic so that the metal will not go all the way down in the grooves and disengage the switch. Works like a charm. There is no need to clamp it or take it apart. I also told Milwaukee about the fix.
This work for me too. I don’t have the luxury of taking it back because I bought it with some coupons in the winter time I had to wait until spring before I could mow my yard. I didn’t discover it was broken until it was too late.
I watch your video was great example so I took mine apart and pulled the switch put a small piece of electrical tape rolled up and put back together now works great it’s a small rocker switch yellow wires
Very helpful, I bought one and the same problem occurred. I was not able too return it because I didn’t unbox it and try in a timely manner. I hope this works for me also
I got a new mower as well and since NSD failed to pick up the mower with the issue HD let me keep it batteries and all. So I figured since I had a free mower I would see if I could fix it, that's why I had one to tear apart. I'm going to use it the next few times I mow to see if it's fully resolved, if it is I guess I'll keep it for a parts mower?? Worse case I just gained to 12ah batteries:)
Took mine apart yesterday, the problem appears to be with the micro switch located behind the black start button. (Need to remove the back of the handle and thumb control lever) So even though the start button is still locked down the micro switch looses contact with it. I simply shimmed the micro switch contact lever so it pushed it in a little deeper when the start button is engaged. I ran it for about 10 minutes with no issues, before it would only run 10 seconds or so.
Good job, I was going to take it apart but milwaukee offered another one so he sent it and no more issues, they even told me to keep the batteries, I gave them a 5 star for the good customer service
Good to know Rod. Owners of a new $1100 mower should never, ever have to dick around llike that. Some companies would void warranty for attempting that fix.
@@frankwoodbery2473 Frank, I didn't tear it apart until after I had already received my replacement mower. It's a long story but because of all the hassles I had returning it Home Depot told me to keep it and took $150 off of the new one. So by the time it was all done I had $850 in the new mower and $0 in the defective mower that I fixed! Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, worse case I have 2 extra 12 amp hour batteries.
I have this issue as well. A clamp fixed it, too. Thanks for posting this. Really surprising Milwaukee isn't offering a replacement switch given their normal willingness to make it right.
I worked in the alarm industry for 20+ years that rocker switch was replace years ago WTH a bubble on it it only a milometer that is the difference we we had to find a fix and we did
They sent me a new one and I sent the defective one back, they told me to keep the two batteries for the trouble, very nice people on the technical support
Respect bro. Nice find. Milwaukee needs to address this asap. I haven't bought one because of this complaint
Very helpful. Dident have the right size clamp so I threw a pebble in their with it 👍thanks
Just ran into this issue. I was able to finish the front section of my customers lawn by holding down the start button while mowing. Feel like i’m getting carpal tunnel in my thumb. Thought i’d Google to see if this was a known issue and apparently it is. We’ll see what the Milwaukee service centre can do about it. My hope is the repair will involve a different design from default because I want it fixed, not OEM.
Simple fix is to add a small piece of foam or rubber in the space between the black metal lever and the red plastic so that the metal will not go all the way down in the grooves and disengage the switch. Works like a charm. There is no need to clamp it or take it apart. I also told Milwaukee about the fix.
This work for me too. I don’t have the luxury of taking it back because I bought it with some coupons in the winter time I had to wait until spring before I could mow my yard. I didn’t discover it was broken until it was too late.
We have the same exact problem. Very disappointing because we do like this expensive mower. I’ll call Milwaukee this week.
I watch your video was great example so I took mine apart and pulled the switch put a small piece of electrical tape rolled up and put back together now works great it’s a small rocker switch yellow wires
I'm glad you were able to fix it
I had the same problem. Milwaukee sent me a new mower and it hasn't done it since. I've had the second one for about year and a half
Very helpful, I bought one and the same problem occurred. I was not able too return it because I didn’t unbox it and try in a timely manner. I hope this works for me also
Call Milwaukee Tools and hopefully they can help you,
1800-729-3878
Milwaukee lied. Mine does the same exact thing. Thanks for the fix but I paid too much money for this not to work. I'm returning this garbage.
I got a new mower as well and since NSD failed to pick up the mower with the issue HD let me keep it batteries and all. So I figured since I had a free mower I would see if I could fix it, that's why I had one to tear apart. I'm going to use it the next few times I mow to see if it's fully resolved, if it is I guess I'll keep it for a parts mower?? Worse case I just gained to 12ah batteries:)
Milwaukee needs to send every M18 owner a factory clamp like that and problem solved.
I mean what did you expect for only $1100?
🤣
I had this issue also and am doing the exact same thing with the clamp...the poster is correct,
the button design is flawed.
Everything happens for a reason 😛. They will probably drop the price a little to save face and regain traction. 800 is a little more palatable
Took mine apart yesterday, the problem appears to be with the micro switch located behind the black start button. (Need to remove the back of the handle and thumb control lever) So even though the start button is still locked down the micro switch looses contact with it. I simply shimmed the micro switch contact lever so it pushed it in a little deeper when the start button is engaged. I ran it for about 10 minutes with no issues, before it would only run 10 seconds or so.
Good job, I was going to take it apart but milwaukee offered another one so he sent it and no more issues, they even told me to keep the batteries, I gave them a 5 star for the good customer service
Good to know Rod. Owners of a new $1100 mower should never, ever have to dick around llike that. Some companies would void warranty for attempting that fix.
@@frankwoodbery2473 Frank, I didn't tear it apart until after I had already received my replacement mower. It's a long story but because of all the hassles I had returning it Home Depot told me to keep it and took $150 off of the new one. So by the time it was all done I had $850 in the new mower and $0 in the defective mower that I fixed! Not sure what I'm going to do with it yet, worse case I have 2 extra 12 amp hour batteries.
I have this issue as well. A clamp fixed it, too. Thanks for posting this. Really surprising Milwaukee isn't offering a replacement switch given their normal willingness to make it right.
Happened to me too, I would like to know what the real issue is inside that switch.
I worked in the alarm industry for 20+ years that rocker switch was replace years ago WTH a bubble on it it only a milometer that is the difference we we had to find a fix and we did
Any updates on the Milwaukee m18 fuel lawn mower shutting off or did you send it back?
They sent me a new one and I sent the defective one back, they told me to keep the two batteries for the trouble, very nice people on the technical support
Shouldn’t have to Jimmy rig a 1100 dollar mower
Mine keeps leaving strips when it mows and I can't figure out why. I have to go over it twice.
Any luck fixing the switch?
They replaced mine, I don't know if they found the problem
Mine doesn’t do that or need no clamp, you got a lemon…
Thank you for that
Mine doesn’t do that. It runs like a dream
We are having this same issue. Very frustrating after paying $1100 for it!
Call milwaukee customer service and they will send you a new one
cool, now fix my self propel issue
I have exact same problem
Call milwaukee and they will send you a new one
@@leodepena Thank you .. I will do that :)
I have the same problem
Mine is OK