Craftsman 917.98643 Operator's Manual page 34

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART:
See appropriate section in manual unless directed to Sears service center
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Engine clicks but 1 Weak or dead battery. 1 Recharge or replace battery.
will not start
2 Corroded battery terminals. 2 Clean battery terminals.
3 Loose or damaged wiring. 3 Check all wiring.
4 Faulty solenoid or starter. 4 Check/replace solenoid or starter.
Loss of power 1 Cutting too much grass/too fast. 1 Raise cutting height/reduce
speed.
2 Throttle in "CHOKE" position. 2 Adjust throttle control.
3 Build-up of grass, leaves and 3 Clean underside of mower
trash under mower, housing.
4 Dirty air filter. 4 Clean/replace air filter.
5 Low oil level/dirty oil. 5 Check oil level/change oil.
6 Faulty spark plug. 6 Clean and regap or change spark
plug.
7 Dirty fuel filter. 7 Replace fuel filter.
8 Stale or dirty fuel. 8 Empty fuel tank and refill tank with
fresh, clean gasoline.
9 Water in fuel. 9 Empty fuel tank and carburetor,
refill tank with fresh gasoline and
replace fuel filter.
10 Spark plug wire loose. 10 Connect and tighten spark plug
wire.
11 Dirty engine air screen/fins. 11 Clean engine air screen/fins.
12 Dirty/clogged muffler. 12 Clean/replace muffler.
13 Loose or damaged wiring. 13 Check all wiring.
14 Engine valves out of adjustment. 14 Contact a Sears or other qualified
service center.
Excessive vibration 1 Worn, bent or loose blade. 1 Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.
2 Bent blade mandrel. 2 Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
3 Loose/damaged part(s). 3 Tighten loose part(s).
Replace damaged parts.
Engine continues to 1 Faulty operator-safety presence 1 Check wiring, switches and
run when operator control system, connections. If not corrected,
leaves seat with contact a Sears or other qualified
attachment clutch service center.
engaged
,_ CAUTION: DO NOT
operate machine until
problem is corrected.
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