Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Start
 

On Saturday my mower died. I jumped off to move the picnic table. As
usual, the engine stopped due to the seat interlock switch (normal and
expected). I moved the tables, jumped back on, disengaged the mower
deck clutch, depressed the main clutch, and the darned thing wouldn't
turn over. I checked the battery - 13 volts ouptput - OK. I checked
the key switch. There were five wires coming in. I found a
combination of a hot and neutral that showed infinite resistance when
off and resistance when on, which I would assume means the key switch
is operating correctly. Hmmmm, next I put the tractor up on ramps and
looked underneath. AhHA! the linkage from the shifter to the clutch
was not connected. I think the cotter pin fell out but couldn't find
it on the lawn. No problem, I inserted a new cotter pin. Thinking
the clutch interlock switch was preventing the tractor from turning
over, I thought the problem was solved. However, again nothing
happened when I turned the key. Any thoughts? My grass is still
growing. Help!

Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Start
 

Big Al wrote:

On Saturday my mower died. I jumped off to move the picnic table. As
usual, the engine stopped due to the seat interlock switch (normal and
expected). I moved the tables, jumped back on, disengaged the mower
deck clutch, depressed the main clutch, and the darned thing wouldn't
turn over. I checked the battery - 13 volts ouptput - OK. I checked
the key switch. There were five wires coming in. I found a
combination of a hot and neutral that showed infinite resistance when
off and resistance when on, which I would assume means the key switch
is operating correctly. Hmmmm, next I put the tractor up on ramps and
looked underneath. AhHA! the linkage from the shifter to the clutch
was not connected. I think the cotter pin fell out but couldn't find
it on the lawn. No problem, I inserted a new cotter pin. Thinking
the clutch interlock switch was preventing the tractor from turning
over, I thought the problem was solved. However, again nothing
happened when I turned the key. Any thoughts? My grass is still
growing. Help!

Hi - Dunno if this'll help - but sometimes the simplest things can be the cause
of this 'no-apparent-reason' sort of a restart problem - Be sure to double check
the "seat interlock switch" - which could have suddenly 'broken' (failed) when
you sat down again - on top of it? - which would break the starting circuit -
maybe? - Just a thought. - Wes/MO

Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Start
 

As a temporary measure, you can disconnect the seat switch and insert a
piece of wire (IE a paper clip) and see if it will turn over then. If not,
it could be one of the other interlock switches. I know I had a problem with
mine, and thought it was the seat switch. But it turned out to be the
interlock for the engine cover. Good luck,
S
"Big Al" wrote in message
om...
On Saturday my mower died. I jumped off to move the picnic table. As
usual, the engine stopped due to the seat interlock switch (normal and
expected). I moved the tables, jumped back on, disengaged the mower
deck clutch, depressed the main clutch, and the darned thing wouldn't
turn over. I checked the battery - 13 volts ouptput - OK. I checked
the key switch. There were five wires coming in. I found a
combination of a hot and neutral that showed infinite resistance when
off and resistance when on, which I would assume means the key switch
is operating correctly. Hmmmm, next I put the tractor up on ramps and
looked underneath. AhHA! the linkage from the shifter to the clutch
was not connected. I think the cotter pin fell out but couldn't find
it on the lawn. No problem, I inserted a new cotter pin. Thinking
the clutch interlock switch was preventing the tractor from turning
over, I thought the problem was solved. However, again nothing
happened when I turned the key. Any thoughts? My grass is still
growing. Help!

Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Start
 

If you are in the habit of jumping off a moving lawnmower I would not defeat
the interlock switch even temporarily.


"Nonya" wrote in message
...
As a temporary measure, you can disconnect the seat switch and insert a
piece of wire (IE a paper clip) and see if it will turn over then. If not,
it could be one of the other interlock switches. I know I had a problem
with
mine, and thought it was the seat switch. But it turned out to be the
interlock for the engine cover. Good luck,
S
"Big Al" wrote in message
om...
On Saturday my mower died. I jumped off to move the picnic table. As
usual, the engine stopped due to the seat interlock switch (normal and
expected). I moved the tables, jumped back on, disengaged the mower
deck clutch, depressed the main clutch, and the darned thing wouldn't
turn over. I checked the battery - 13 volts ouptput - OK. I checked
the key switch. There were five wires coming in. I found a
combination of a hot and neutral that showed infinite resistance when
off and resistance when on, which I would assume means the key switch
is operating correctly. Hmmmm, next I put the tractor up on ramps and
looked underneath. AhHA! the linkage from the shifter to the clutch
was not connected. I think the cotter pin fell out but couldn't find
it on the lawn. No problem, I inserted a new cotter pin. Thinking
the clutch interlock switch was preventing the tractor from turning
over, I thought the problem was solved. However, again nothing
happened when I turned the key. Any thoughts? My grass is still
growing. Help!

Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Start
 

Tim B wrote:
If you are in the habit of jumping off a moving lawnmower I would not
defeat
the interlock switch even temporarily.


Since the suggestion you're reacting to was to bypass it for testing
purposes, I'm curious as to how you would troubleshoot a bad switch if
you're so against defeating the interlock switch even temporarily?

--
Warren H.

==========
Disclaimer: My views reflect those of myself, and not my
employer, my friends, nor (as she often tells me) my wife.
Any resemblance to the views of anybody living or dead is
coincidental. No animals were hurt in the writing of this
response -- unless you count my dog who desperately wants
to go outside now.

Craftsman Riding Mower Won't Start
 

"Warren" wrote in message
news:LUIAa.1001346$F1.121037@sccrnsc04...
Tim B wrote:
If you are in the habit of jumping off a moving lawnmower I would not
defeat
the interlock switch even temporarily.


Since the suggestion you're reacting to was to bypass it for testing
purposes, I'm curious as to how you would troubleshoot a bad switch if
you're so against defeating the interlock switch even temporarily?

Wish and hope? :-) This is why some people aren't mechanics.