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#1
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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! |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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! |
#4
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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! |
#5
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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. |
#6
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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. |
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