QuestionQUESTION: Hi
I have a Craftsman riding mower model #917-271-121 .
I was mowing the lawn yesterday and all of the sudden the mower engine stopped running.
When I turn the ignition key it does not turn just like the battery is dead, the battery gauge read 0 and flicker every time I turn the ignition key on.
I checked the battery with tester and reads 12.7 volt all the way to the torque converter. On the other red terminal that goes from the converter to the starter I don't get any battery reading with the ignition key on or off, and seating on or off the seat.
I checked the only 30 amp fuse that I could find, and it's Ok also.
I have no clue what happened. ...it's dead !
Please help ...
All your input is sincerely appreciated
PS and yes I have fuel in the tank and oil is ok.
Engine model is a Kohler 16.5 OHV
ANSWER: Hello Fabio:
Lets Get the Starter Turning First. From your Description, it Sounds like the Clutch Safety Switch or the Blade Safety went Bad. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING THE SAFETY SWITCHES IS JUST THAT!!! FOR CHECKING ONLY. I NEVER Suggest a Mower be Operated with a Safety Device or Switch Disconnected or Bypassed. Now. On Some Model Mowers you can Simply Unplug the Safety Switch from the Harness. On Other Models you have to Place a Jumper Wire Between the Harness Terminals (on the 4 Post Switch Jumper from Same Color Wire to Same Color Wire). Check the Clutch/Break and the Blade/PTO Safety Switches First. Check the Seat Safety Last. Usually the Seat Safety is Not in the System for Starting the Engine. Just to Ensure Someone is in the Seat when Engaging the Transaxle and/or Blades. If these Check Good, then Use your Jumper Cable Set and Attach the Positive Lead Onto the Positive Post of the Battery. Now Firmly Touch the Large Post on the Starter. If the Starter Turns the Engine Properly, Then Check the Solenoid. Firmly Touch the Small Post at the Base of the Solenoid. If The Starter Does Not Turn and the Solenoid Clicks, Then the Solenoid is Bad. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting you Question at or Just After 9pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: HI John
I tried unplugging all the Safety Switches from the harness.
I first started with the Clutch/Break and the Blade/PTO switches ....nothing happened. I tried lastly with the seat switch and same result ...nothing.
I checked the starter with the jumping cable and it turns fine.
I thought than that it was the solenoid, so I went to Sears and bought a new one, installed and ....still nothing.
However ...one thing i noticed is that when i sit on the mower and turn the key to the headlight position, sometimes the light turns right on, sometimes it's like a dimmer light, sometimes nothing at all.
Also when I turn the key to the start position I feel all the relays (3 of them) clicking.
So as of right now , I am ready to tie my mower behind my truck and drive down the freeway at 70mph.
How frustrating....I know it something simple...or maybe not.
Should I check/replace the relays ? how often they go bad ?
Should I check the wires from the key to the safety switches for sign of wear ?
I really appreciate your time and patience.
Sincerely ...Fabio
ANSWER: Hello Again Fabio:
No Worries. Electrical Problems can be the Hardest to Locate and then It Looks like you Should have Thought of that First. I have Changed the Way I Diagnose Equipment and have Settled on the Most Common Cause to the Least Common Cause. So Do Not Let it Get you Down. Now, Did you Jumper Any of the Safety Switches? I Believe I Said that On Some Models you Place a Jumper Between the Harness Terminals. Make Sure you Check the System Both Ways. By the Way Did you Clean the Battery Terminals? Make Sure they are Getting a Good Connection. The Head Light being Dim and Sometimes Not Coming On at All would Indicate a Bad Battery Cable Connection or a Problem with the Ignition Switch. The Headlights Should be the Same Each Time you Turn them On. I Noticed I Failed to Give you the Site Addy for the Electrical Diagram. I Apologize for that. Go to this Site Caddy, http://www3.sears.com/ and Enter the Model Numbers in the Upper Left Search Box and Click Go. Then Visually Verify the Equipment and Click Continue. From this Page you can View Diagrams or Parts Lists for you Equipment. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi John...
Belive it or not ...it's working now !!!!I am amazed...
I should have follow your first advice to check and clean the battery terminals ....I thought it was more complicated than that , but just like you said, I should have worked from the most common problem to the list.
Anyway, thanks to your expertise and knowledge my mower is running again , after a little scrubbing of the battery terminals with a little sandpaper.
Once again, thanks for all your help and time. You're sure the best !
Sincerely ...Fabio
AnswerHi Fabio:
Great!! I am Glad I Could Help. I have a Tip on the Battery Terinals too. Clean All the Exposed Battery Terminal and the Battery Top. The Tape a Penny or a Piece of Copper in the Middle of the Top of the Battery. The Copper Draws the Corrision to it and Away from the terminals. Till Next Time. May All Your Mechanical Problems be SMALL ONES and May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks Again.
Best Wishes and Good Luck
Respectfully
John
