Battery Maintenance; Battery Charging; Troubleshooting; Troubleshooting Charts - Simplicity Cobalt Series Operator's Manual

Battery Maintenance

This unit is equipped with a maintenance-free BCIU1 battery.
WARNING
Keep open flames and sparks away from the battery.
• Be careful when handling the battery.
• Avoid spilling electrolyte.
• Keep flames and sparks away from the battery.
• When removing or installing battery cables, disconnect
the negative cable FIRST and reconnect it LAST. If not
done in this order, the positive terminal can be shorted
to the frame by a tool.
Cleaning the Battery and Cables
1. Disconnect the cables from the battery, negative [-] cable
first (B, Figure 64).
64
2. Clean the battery terminals and cable ends with a wire
brush until shiny.
3. Reinstall the battery and reattach the battery cables,
positive [+] cable first (A).
4. Coat the cable ends and the battery terminals with
petroleum jelly or non-conducting grease.

Battery Charging

A dead battery or one too weak to start the engine may be
the result of a defect in the charging system or other electrical
component. If there is any doubt about the cause of the
problem, see your dealer. If you need to replace the battery,
follow the steps under Cleaning the Battery & Cables in the
Regular Maintenance Section.
To charge the battery, follow the instructions provided by the
battery charger manufacturer as well as all warnings included
in the safety rules sections of this book. Charge the battery
until fully charged (until the specific gravity of the electrolyte is
1.250 or higher and the electrolyte temperature is at least 60°
F). Do not charge at a rate higher than 10 amps
42

Troubleshooting

While normal care and regular maintenance will extend
the life of your equipment, prolonged or constant use may
eventually require that service be performed to allow it to
continue to operating properly.
This troubleshooting guide lists the most common problems,
their causes and remedies.
Refer to Maintenance Procedures for instructions on how
to perform most of these minor adjustments and service
repairs yourself. If you prefer, all of these procedures can be
performed for you by your local authorized dealer.
WARNING
Remove ignition key prior to performing maintenance on the
unit.
To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on the unit
or mower deck only when the engine is stopped and the
parking brake is engaged.
Always remove the ignition key, disconnect the spark plug
wire(s) and fasten it away from the plug(s) before beginning
the maintenance, to prevent accidental starting of the
engine.

Troubleshooting Charts

Troubleshooting the Zero-Turn Rider
Problem: Engine will not turnover or start.
Cause
Parking brake not engaged.
PTO (electric clutch) switch in ON
position.
Ground speed control levers not in
"NEUTRAL" position.
Out of fuel.
Engine flooded.
Fuse blown.
Battery terminals require cleaning.
Battery discharged or dead.
Wiring loose or broken.
Solenoid or starter motor faulty.
Safety interlock switch faulty
Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled or
incorrectly gapped.
Water in fuel.
Gas is old or stale.
Fuel Injected Models: Malfunction
in fuel injection system.
Remedy
Engage parking brake.
Place in OFF position.
Move ground speed control levers to
the "NEUTRAL" position.
If engine is hot, allow it to cool, then
refill the fuel tank.
Carburated Models: Move choke
control to closed position. Fuel
Injected Models: See authorized
dealer.
Replace fuse.
Clean the battery terminals.
Recharge or replace
Visually check wiring & replace
broken or frayed wires. Tighten loose
connections.
See authorized service dealer.
Replace as needed. See authorized
service dealer.
Clean and gap or replace. See
engine manual.
Drain fuel and replace with fresh fuel.
Drain fuel and replace with fresh fuel.
See authorized service dealer.
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