Craftsman 917.20386 Operator's Manual page 30

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:
See ap pro pri ate section in manual un less di rect ed to Sears service center
PROBLEM
Poor cut - uneven
cutting
Mower blades will
not rotate
Poor grass
discharge
Headlight(s) not
working
(if so equipped)
Battery will not
charge
CAUSE
1 Worn, bent or loose blade.
2 Mower deck not level.
3 Buildup of grass, leaves, and
trash under mower.
4 Bent blade mandrel.
5 Clogged mower deck vent from
build-up of grass, leaves, and
trash around mandrels.
1 Obstruction in clutch mechanism.
2 Worn/damaged mower drive belt. 2 Replace mower drive belt.
3 Frozen idler pulley.
4 Frozen blade mandrel.
1 Engine speed too slow.
2 Travel speed too fast.
3 Wet grass.
4 Mower deck not level.
5 Low/uneven tire air pressure.
6 Worn, bent or loose blade.
7 Buildup of grass, leaves and
trash under mower.
8 Mower drive belt worn.
9 Blades improperly installed.
10 Improper blades used.
11 Clogged mower deck vent holes
from buildup of grass, leaves, and
trash around mandrels.
1 Light switch is "OFF".
2 Bulb(s) or lamp(s) burned out.
3 Faulty light switch.
4 Loose or damaged wiring.
5 Blown fuse.
1 Bad battery cell(s).
2 Poor cable connections.
3 Faulty regulator (if so equipped).
4 Faulty alternator.
CORRECTION
1 Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.
2 Level mower deck.
3 Clean underside of mower
housing.
4 Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
5 Clean around mandrels to
open vent holes.
1 Remove obstruction.
3 Replace idler pulley.
4 Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
1 Place throttle control in "FAST"
position.
2 Shift to slower speed.
3 Allow grass to dry before mowing.
4 Level mower deck.
5 Check tires for proper PSI.
6 Replace/sharpen blade. Tighten
blade bolt.
7 Clean underside of mower
housing.
8 Replace mower drive belt.
9 Reinstall blades sharp edge down.
10 Replace with blades listed in
this manual.
11 Clean around mandrels to
open vent holes.
1 Turn light switch "ON".
2 Replace bulb(s) or lamp(s).
3 Check/replace light switch.
4 Check wiring and connections.
5 Replace fuse.
1 Replace battery.
2 Check/clean all connections.
3 Replace regulator.
4 Replace alternator.
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