Troubleshooting Chart - Craftsman 536.270270 Operator's Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM: The engine will not start.
1. Follow the steps, "How To Start The Engine" in this book.
2. Electric-Start Models: Clean the battery terminals. Tighten the
cables.
3. Drain the fuel tank. Clean the fuel line. Replace the fuel filter.
4. Remove the spark plug(s). Move the throttle to the SLOW posi-
tion. Turn the ignition key to the ON position. Try to start the en-
gine several times. Install the spark plug.
5. Replace the spark plug.
6. Adjust the carburetor.
PROBLEM: The engine will not turn over.
1. Follow the steps, "How To Start The Engine" in this book.
2. Electric-Start Models: Check the level of the acid in the battery.
If needed, add water. Charge the battery.
3. Replace the fuse.
4. Check the wiring harness for damage or a loose connection.
Repair the damaged wire.
5. Electric-Start Models: replace the solenoid. Recoil-Start Mod-
els: replace the module.
2. Check the oil.
3. Adjust the carburetor.
4. Replace the fuel filter.
PROBLEM: Excessive vibration.
1. Replace the blade.
2. Check for loose engine bolts.
3. Decrease the air pressure in the tires.
4. Adjust the carburetor.
5. Check for a damaged belt or damaged pulley. Replace the
damaged parts.
PROBLEM: The grass does not discharge correctly.
1. Stop the engine. Clean the mower housing.
2. Raise the height of cut.
3. Replace or sharpen the blade(s).
4. Move the shift lever to a slower speed.
5. Move the throttle control to the FAST position.
6. Replace the spring for the blade idler.
PROBLEM: The engine is difficult to start.
1. Adjust the carburetor.
2. Replace the spark plug.
3. Replace the fuel filter.
PROBLEM: The engine does not run smooth or has a
loss of power.
1. Check the oil.
2. Clean the air filter.
3. Clean the air screen.
4. Replace the spark plug.
5. The engine is working too hard. Use a lower gear.
6. Adjust the carburetor.
7. Replace the fuel filter.
PROBLEM: The engine does not run smooth at fast
speed.
1. Replace the spark plug.
2. Adjust the throttle control.
3. Clean the air filter.
4. Replace the fuel filter.
PROBLEM: The engine stops when the blades are
engaged.
1. Check the wiringharness for damage or a loose connection.
Repair the damaged wire.
PROBLEM: On slopes, the engine stops.
1. Mow up and down slopes. Never mow across a slope.
PROBLEM: The engine will not idle.
1. Replace the spark plug.
2. Clean the air filter.
3. Adjust the carburetor.
4. Adjust the throttle control.
5. Drain the fuel tank. Clean the fuel line. Replace the fuel filter.
PROBLEM: A hot engine causes a decrease in power.
1. Clean the air screen.
F-020611L 36
PROBLEM: The mower housing does not cut level.
1. Check the air pressure in the tires.
2. Adjust the level of the mower housing.
3. Check the front axle. If the front axle does not freely pivot, loos-
en the axle bolt(s).
PROBLEM: The mower blades will not rotate.
1. Check the mower drive belt. Make sure the belt is installed cor-
rectly.
2. Replace the mower drive belt.
PROBLEM: The unit will not move when the clutch is
engaged.
1. Check the motion drive belt. Make sure the belt is installed
correctly.
2. Adjust the clutch.
3. Replace the motion drive belt.
PROBLEM: The unit moves slower or stops when the
clutch is engaged.
1. Adjust the clutch.
2. Replace the motion drive belt.
PROBLEM: When the clutch/brake pedal is released, belt
noise can be heard.
1. Temporary belt noise does not change the operation of the unit.
If belt noise is continuous, check the routing of the belt. Make
sure the belt is inside all belt guides.
2. If the noise is continuous, adjust the clutch.
PROBLEM: The rear wheels spin over uneven terrain.
1. Check the front axle. If the front axle does not freely pivot, loos-
en the axle bolt(s).
PROBLEM: The transaxle is difficult to shift between
gears with the engine running and the clutch depressed.
1. Check the clutch adjustment to make sure the belt stops when
the clutch pedal is depressed with the transaxte in (N) neutral.
2. Check the belt guides around the transaxte drive pulley. Make
sure the belt guides do not touch the pulley.