Why My Craftsman Riding Mower Won’t Start

What would cause a Craftsman lawn mower not to start?

There may be old or bad fuel in the carburetor float bowl Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and prevent the engine from starting If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner

What would cause a riding lawn mower not to start?

There are many reasons a riding lawn mower won’t start—everything from stale gas to ignition switch problems If you constantly have to charge the battery, a bad battery or failed alternator could be causing the problem Lawn mower ignition switch problems can prevent the starter from getting current

What is the first thing to check if a lawn mower won’t start?

Your Mower Won’t Start: Loose, Dirty or Disconnected Spark Plug in Your Lawn Mower: Check it out, clean off debris, re-connect and tighten Dirty Air Filter: Clean or replace Fuel Not Reaching the Engine: Tap the side of the carburetor to help the flow of gas If this doesn’t work, you might need a new fuel filter

What are the symptoms of a bad solenoid on a riding lawn mower?

Look for the large terminal posts on the solenoid where the thick red wires connect to the solenoid Touch the metal shaft of a screwdriver to both of the large terminals at the same time If the engine turns over and starts, the solenoid is bad and should be replaced

How do you clean a carburetor on a lawn mower without removing it?

How to Clean Your Carburetor? Turn Off Mower Completely turn off the lawn mower and also let the engine cool down for a few minutes before you can begin any cleaning procedures Inspect the Air Filters Check all Connections to the Carburetor Clean the Carburetor Contact Your Local Dealer

Where is the solenoid located on a Craftsman riding lawn mower?

Look along the mower’s frame or back of the engine compartment to locate the solenoid On most models, the solenoid is a cylindrical or square palm-sized black device bolted to the mower frame near the engine or bolted on at the back of the engine compartment near the battery

How do you start a choke on a riding lawn mower?

How to Start a Riding Lawn Mower? Sit firmly on the seat Start the Engine Press the Brakes Engage the Parking Brake Put the Gear to Neutral Pull the Throttle onto Choke Position Insert the Ignition Key Turn the Key to the Right hand side/Clockwise

How do you start a Craftsman riding lawn mower?

Starting Step 1: Place the key in the ignition switch Step 2: Disengage the PTO by setting the lever to the PTO OFF position Step 3: Set the parking brake Step 4: Activate the choke Step 5: Turn the key to START Step 6: Set the throttle/choke control to FAST before you start mowing

How do you start a lawn mower after winter?

Give the spark plug wire a little tug to see if it’s loose If it is, push it onto the plug and try starting the mower If there isn’t any difference, remove the plug with a spark plug wrench and clean the gap with an emory board If the plug looks worn, replace it with a new one

How do I know if my Craftsman riding mower starter is bad?

A bad starter can manifest itself in a cranking noise without engine turnover, a clicking when the ignition button is pressed, or a mower that simply does not respond to attempts to start An indication of a bad starter motor is the absence of other electrical problems that can be more easily tested

What are the symptoms of a bad starter solenoid?

As a result, the common signs of a bad starter solenoid include: Engine Doesn’t Crank or Start No Clicking Noise When Trying to Start the Engine Starter Spins Without Fully Engaging the Flywheel (Rare) Engine Cranks Slowly (Rare) Test the battery Check That Power is Getting to the Starter Solenoid

How do you adjust a craftsman carburetor?

How to Adjust a Carburetor in a Craftsman Locate the carburetor on your Craftsman equipment Turn the main mixture and idle mixture screws on the carburetor counterclockwise about one full turn with a flat-head screwdriver Start the engine with the transmission in neutral and let it run for several minutes

How do you clean a carburetor on a riding lawn mower?

Detailed Guide on How to Clean Lawn Mower Carburetor Remove the Outer Casing and Air Filter Removing the Carburetor Unbolt the carburetor’s bowl and clean the nut Use a carburetor cleaner to get rid of dirt deposits within the carburetor Replace the gasket Check its settings Reassemble and reattach

Can I clean a carburetor with wd40?

No you can’t use wd40 or any other brand of spray oil as a carburetor cleaner, that’s oil Carb cleaner like the famous Gumout is essentially spray acetone, a very strong solvent that can perform good and fast with cleaning out carburetors

Why does my lawn mower only run for a few seconds then dies?

If your lawn mower starts, runs briefly, then dies these are the four most common reasons that’s happening: Dirty carburetor / clogged carburetor bowl Old gasoline that has gone bad Dirty or defective spark plugs

How can you tell when a spark plug is bad?

What symptoms may indicate my vehicle’s spark plugs need replacing? Rattling, pinging or “knock”-like noises When spark plugs begin to misfire, you may notice unusual noises from the force of the pistons and combustion not working properly Hard vehicle start Reduced performance Poor fuel economy

What kind of spark plug does a Craftsman lawn mower take?

The Craftsman 45hp mower uses either a Champion model RJ19LM or J19LM spark plug, or equivalent, with the gap set at 030 inch

What does a lawn tractor starter solenoid do?

The starter solenoid on a riding lawn mower is essentially an electromagnetic switch This switch closes when you turn the ignition key, allowing electricity to flow to the starter

Why does my riding mower clicks when I try to start it?

If the riding mower makes a heavy clicking or a rapid clattering sound when the key is turned to the start position, there is a problem with the battery or a part of the starting circuit The clicking noise comes from a part called the starter solenoid Low battery voltage – Battery needs charging or replacement

How do you test a starter solenoid?

Let someone turn on the starter switch while you stand near the engine When the starter motor solenoid engages, you should hear a clicking sound If you hear a clicking sound but the starter motor isn’t moving, the solenoid could be engaging but not receiving enough battery power

How do I start my lawn mower with a bad starter?

Attach a jumper cable from the large lug where the engine starter cable and other lugs connect to the battery cable Finally, rotate the ignition keys of the lawn mower If it just clicks without starting the lawn mower, you may need to replace the solenoid