Craftsman riding mower starting problems...
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Craftsman riding mower starting problems...
Where, exactly, is that fuse located? I have a Craftsman 20 HP 42" mower with single cylinder. model 917.276810. Turn key this afternoon and not even a peep. It's as if I had no battery, but we just replaced the battery this spring. Charged the battery just to be sure and did not take long. Still nothing when I try to start. I can unplug the seat safety switch, but what holes would I jumper to bypass it to see if that is the culprit? Any other safety switches that may have been "corroded"? We have had some really humid days this last week. SW Michigan. I've adjusted the gap on the valves to 0.008" and it has been running great since I did that.
Like I said, no click, no noise at all when the key is turned. So figures I might look at the fuse if I could find the bugger!
See thread here where this was originally posted..
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ou...-problems.html
Like I said, no click, no noise at all when the key is turned. So figures I might look at the fuse if I could find the bugger!
See thread here where this was originally posted..
http://www.doityourself.com/forum/ou...-problems.html
Last edited by lawrosa; 08-12-13 at 07:35 PM.
#2
Look at the battery cable that goes to the solenoid. From this same terminal is a small red wire. Follow this red wire to a black fuseholder. That's the one.
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Found the 20amp fuse and it was ok. I had to remove the gas tank to one side so I could find it tucked in there. Checked with an ohm meter as well as visual. Checked any other connection for loose or not connected. All were fine. Took off the seat safety switch and taped it shut (like sitting down) and tried again. No sound at all. Moved the flywheel by hand so the engine is not frozen up. checked batter terminals, and all clean.
Any other ideas? any way to jumper the safety seat connection and try that?
Any other ideas? any way to jumper the safety seat connection and try that?
#4
If you have a meter, try testing for voltage at the solenoid terminal near the base of the solenoid while trying to start it. The seat switch won't keep it from turning. It will turn no matter if you're on the seat or not.
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Yes, I have a meter. I'll test that as soon as the rains stop. I am thinking that you are meaning that thick red wire that is bolted onto the side of the starter? I also took off the whole ignition key switch and have it in the house. I was going to have it checked out to see if their was a problem with any of the contacts inside.
After Pam got done with the lat mowing she parked it under the lean-to shed. It's open but we have had some very humid nights recently (since last run) that everything outside is drenched. Just adding that for information.
THANKS so much for replying back!!
After Pam got done with the lat mowing she parked it under the lean-to shed. It's open but we have had some very humid nights recently (since last run) that everything outside is drenched. Just adding that for information.
THANKS so much for replying back!!
#6
No, the solenoid is what turns on the power to the starter. It has 2 wires plugged onto the bottom of it. The white one should get 12 volts when the key is turned to start if the clutch pedal is pressed and the blades are off.
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Might have some headway. I cleaned the female terminals of the plug that goes into the ignition switch and put back together. Nothing yet. Decided to go to the back and see how much juice the battery really had. I read it in millivolts on my Volt meter. I hooked up a jumper cable to a good 12 v batter I have, and turned the key to start, while holding down the brake/clutch. Heard it crank. Did not start it as was not wanting to run it in this condition. However, it was the first time I heard it cranking since I started this troubleshooting. Local guy that works on all sorts of small engines, lawnmowers, chain saws, etc., checked out the ignition switch and said nothing wrong with the switch. I am charging the batter as I write. If it does not show 12 volts when I get done I am taking it back to Walmart. I bought it May 7th of this year and "assumed" that it was not the problem. It is fairly new, but I imagine if something goes bad in the battery it can become defective as well.
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Fixed
It has been starting the last few time, on it's own, with no battery charging. What I believe the problem was/is was the corrosion in the connection from the key switch that plugged into the multiple blade connector. On the female side I noticed corrosion in there, and took an fingernail emery board and trimmed it so that it was narrow enough to go in to the slots. I cleaned the slots and now all seems well.