Troubleshooting - Craftsman 917.389990 Owner's Manual

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM CAUSE
Does not start 1. Dirty air filter.
Loss of power
Poorcut-
uneven
Excessive
vibration
Starterrope
hard to pull
Grass catcher
not filling (if so
equipped)
Hard to push
2. Out of fuel.
3. Stale fuel.
4. Water in fuel.
5. Spark plug wire is
disconnected.
6. Bad spark plug.
7. Loose blade or broken
blade adapter.
8. Control bar in released
position.
9. Control bar defective.
1. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in heavy grass.
2. Cutting too much grass.
3. Dirty air filter.
4. Buildup of grass, leaves,
and trash under mower.
5. Too much oil in engine.
6. Walking speed too fast.
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
2. Wheel heights uneven.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves
and trash under mower.
1. Worn, bent or loose blade.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
1. Engine flywheel brake is
when control bar is
released.
2. Bent engine crankshaft.
3. Blade adapter broken.
4. Blade dragging in grass.
1. Cutting height too low.
2. Lift on blade worn off.
3. Catcher not venting air.
1. Grass is too high or wheel
height is too low.
2. Rear of lawn mower
housing or cutting blade
dragging in heavy grass.
3. Grass catcher too full.
4. Handle height position not
right for you.
15
CORRECTION
1. Clean/replace air filter.
2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Drain tank and refill with
fresh, clean fuel.
4. Drain fuel tank and
carburetor and refill tank
with fresh gasoline.
5. Connect wire to plug.
6. Replace spark plug.
7. Tighten blade bolt or
replace blade adapter.
8. Depress control bar to
handle.
9. Replace control bar.
1. Set to "Higher Cut" position.
2. Set to "Higher Cut" position.
3. Clean/replace air filter.
4. Clean underside of mower
housing.
5. Check oil level.
6. Cut at slower walking speed.
1. Replace blade. Tighten bolt.
2. Set all wheels at same
height.
3. Clean underside of
mower housing.
1. Replace blade. Tighten bolt.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
1. Depress control bar to
upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
1. Raise cutting height.
2. Replace blade.
3. Clean grass catcher.
1. Raise cutting height.
2. Raise rear of lawn mower
housing one (t) setting
higher.
3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Adjust handle height to
suit.