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TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART FOR ELECTRIC START MODELS
TROUBLE
LOOK FOR
REMEDY
Engine will not
crank
Battery installed incor¬
rectly
Blown fuse or circuit
breaker
The battery must be installed with the negative terminal identified at the termrna post by (Neg. N
or -), grounded The positive terminal (Pos, P or + ) attaches to the large cable from the solenoid.
The small red wire from the fuse holder or circuit breaker is also attached to the positive terminal
Replace fuse with 7'/2 amp. fuse V* x 1 '/*" Ig. Circuit breaker will reset itself when it cools off. Fuses
or circuit breakers seldom open or fail without a reason The problem must be corrected Check for
loose connections in the fuse holder. Replace fuse holder if necessary. A dead short may be in the
cranking or charging circuit where the insulation may have rubbed through and exposed the bare
wire Replace the wire or repair with electrician's tape if the wire strands have not been damaged
Note: Look for a wire pinched between body panels, burned try the exhaust pipe or muffler or rubbed
against a moving part
Battery is dead or weak
Mechanical failure
(Wires and switches)
Use a hydrometer to check the condition of the battery. The Specific Gravity (s g ) should be 1.265
at 80° F (1215 s.g minimum needed for cranking engine). The reason for the'battery failing must
be determined (1) Defective battery. Battery will not accept or hold a lull charge. (2) Short circuit.
Check for grounded wire (3) Charging system not working
The charging system is an alternator located under the flywheel. It is unregulated and rated 3 amp.
at 3600 r.p m. A diode (rectifier) is located in the output lead |uss before the wire harness plug on
the engine side
To Alternator
The diode changes A C to D C to charge the battery A bad diode can either fail to charge the bat¬
tery or discharge the battery if the alternator is shoded as well as the diode. To lest: (1) Disconnect
charger lead Irom the battery (small red wire) (2) Connect 12 V small test lamp between the 3 amp
D C. charge lead and the positive terminal of the battery (3) With (he engine off. the lamp should
not light If it does, the diode and possibly the alternator should be replaced. (4) Start the engine.
The lamp should light. If if does not, the alternator (stator) or lead wire is bad and should be replaced
The interlock system includes two mechanical activated switches which are wired in series in the
circuit used to energize the starter solenoid While testing tne interlock sysiem. you will make Ihe
mower temporarily unsafe by permitting the engine lo be started with the blade and clutch engaged.
WARNING While testing, disengage the clutch, shut off the blade control, set the parking brake and
place the gear shift lever in neutral Attach a wire (minimum 18 gauge) to ihe positive terminal ol ihe
battery and touch the other end to the small terminal on the solenoid It the engine does not crank: (1)
There is a loose connection or poor ground (2) The solenoid may be bad The solenoid can be checked
by using a heavy wire (#8 gauge minimum) and jumping between the two large terminals. If the engine
cranks, the solenoid is bad (3) It the engine does not crank when you )ump the solenoid, have the
starter motor tested by an authorized engine dealer It the engine does crank, Ihe problem is with
one ot the safety switches, ignition switch or the wire between the fuse holder (or circuit breaker) and
the small terminal on ihe solenoid. Note Look tor a poor connection at the switches or a defective
switch Replace it necessary
Engine cranks
Throttle or choke not in
Check owner's guide for correct position (or throttle control and choke for starting
but will not start
starting position
No spark to spark plug
Spark plug lead disconnecled Connect lead Hold spark plug lead away from engine block about
1/8" Crank engine There should be a spark It not, have engine repaired
Faulty spark plug To test remove spark plug Attach spark pljg lead to spark plug Ground the spark
plug body against the engine block. Crank the engine. The spark plug should fire at the electrode.
Replace it it does not
21
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