Craftsman Snowblower- Electric Start = :) Pull Start = :(
#1
01-26-14, 01:19 PM
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Craftsman Snowblower- Electric Start = :) Pull Start = :(
I've got a craftsman 536.881510 snowblower. It has a Briggs & Stratton 4-stroke engine. The snowblower has an electric starter and a pull starter. The snowblower will only start using the electric starter. I cannot get the pull starter to turn over. It has a new spark plug, fresh gas, oil is full. I've tried with choke on, choke off, hot engine, cold engine...nothing with the pull start. The manual can be found here under the "Manual" tab. As you can see there is not a whole lot of detail in the troubleshooting section.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...d=&documentId=
I'm glad the unit works, but if it dies in the middle of clearing the driveway, it's a pain to have to go back to the garage to plug it in. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Here's a picture of the unit I own.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...d=&documentId=
I'm glad the unit works, but if it dies in the middle of clearing the driveway, it's a pain to have to go back to the garage to plug it in. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Here's a picture of the unit I own.
#2
01-27-14, 03:45 AM
If it starts and runs fine with the electric start, but you can't get it started with the pull start and the pull start will spin the engine over, you may have a weak ignition module.
I would get in the garage take out the spark plug and ground it to the engine, then hook up the plug wire and spin it over with the pull start. The spark should be a bright blue. If its yellow the module is likely weak. You would have to replace it.
Is this an older blower?
I would get in the garage take out the spark plug and ground it to the engine, then hook up the plug wire and spin it over with the pull start. The spark should be a bright blue. If its yellow the module is likely weak. You would have to replace it.
Is this an older blower?
#3
01-27-14, 05:10 AM
Group Moderator
Are you physically able to give the starter rope a strong, fast pull? It has to be pulled relatively fast to generate a good spark and compression for starting.
#4
01-27-14, 07:00 AM
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I am the second owner, but I'm guessing this unit is <10 years old. I am able to get a nice strong full pull on the cord, even with multiple pulls it will not start up. Even with the electric start, it has to crank longer than I would think necessary, but it starts. I starting tearing it down last night and will troubleshoot the ignition module. Thank you for the input. One step at a time. As always, great support on this site!
#5
01-27-14, 01:59 PM
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Just an update, I disassembled the snowblower. Since I needed to pull most of it apart to get to the ignition coil, I pretty much had a mess when I got to the actual component that needed testing. With as much crap that was in the way or hanging loose, I didn't trust myself ripping on the pull start. I found a new coil at a local hardware store and replaced it, and cleaned out the carb while it was apart. It fired up after a few pulls and getting fuel to the carb. This thing better be good to go for a while now. Again, and as always, I appreciate the advice and support here!
Now to deal with this...
High of 1 degree so far!
Now to deal with this...
High of 1 degree so far!
#6
02-01-14, 08:50 AM
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Okay, little update here. I guess I'm not done with this thing. We got a snow last night. It will start with the pull, but with pretty significant effort and 5-6 pulls. I guess that is slightly better than where I started. I tried clearing part of the driveway, but the snow blower stalls under normal load. Any other suggestions, could I have a compression issue, timining,...?
Work done as of so far:
Carburetor pulled and sprayed
New spark plug
Fresh gas
New fuel filter
New ignition coil
I noticed droplets in the carb when I pulled it, so I've also run fuel treatment through the snowblower thinking it was water or condensation.
Work done as of so far:
Carburetor pulled and sprayed
New spark plug
Fresh gas
New fuel filter
New ignition coil
I noticed droplets in the carb when I pulled it, so I've also run fuel treatment through the snowblower thinking it was water or condensation.
Last edited by Chacho; 02-01-14 at 09:17 AM.
#7
02-01-14, 03:29 PM
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Okay, got it figured out. Sorry for the multiple posts, but I just didn't want anyone wasting their time trying to answer.
No compression, blow head gasket. All good now. Guess I got about a brand new machine since this was the last thing I checked!! Ha!
No compression, blow head gasket. All good now. Guess I got about a brand new machine since this was the last thing I checked!! Ha!
