While normal care and regular maintenance will extend the life
of your equipment, prolonged or constant use may eventually
require that service be performed to allow it to continue operat-
ing properly. The troubleshooting
guide below lists the most
common problems, their causes and remedies.
If you prefer, all of these procedures can be performed for you
by a Sears Parts & Repair Center. See the back cover for
important Sears Parts & Repair Center information.
,WARNING
To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance
on
the rider or mower only when the engine is
stopped and the parking brake set to PARK.
Always remove the ignition key, disconnect
the
spark plug wire and fasten it away from the plug
before beginning
the maintenance, to prevent
accidental
starting
of the engine.
Troubleshooting
the Rider
PROBLEM
CAUSE
REMEDY
Engine will
Parking brake not set to PARK
Set parking brake to PARK.
not turnover
PTO switch in ON position.
Place in OFF position.
or start.
Ground speed levers not in PARK positions.
Move ground speed levers to PARK positions.
Throttle not in CHOKE position.
Move throttle to CHOKE position.
Key not turned fully to START position.
Turn key fully to START position.
Out of fuel.
If engine is hot, allow it to cool, then refill the fuel
tank.
Engine flooded.
Move throttle control back to FULL position to open
the choke.
Gas is old or stale.
Drain fuel & replace with fresh fuel. See Storage.
Water in fuel.
Drain fuel & refill with fresh fuel. See Storage.
Battery terminals require cleaning.
Clean the battery terminals
Battery discharged or dead.
Recharge or replace.
Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled or incorrectly
Clean and gap or replace.
gapped.
Wiring loose or broken.
Visually check wiring & replace broken or frayed
wires. Tighten loose connections.
Solenoid or starter motor faulty.
Replace. Contact Sears Parts & Repair.
Safety interlock switch faulty.
Replace. Contact Sears Parts & Service.
Engine starts
Air filter plugged
Service pre-cleaner and/or replace air filter ele-
hard or runs
ment.
poorly.
Throttle set to CHOKE position longer than
Set throttle to FULL position.
necessary.
Spark plug faulty, fouled, or incorrectly gapped.
Clean and gap or replace.
Engine
Low oil level.
Check/add oil as required.
knocks.
Using wrong grade oil.
See "Change Engine Oil" in the Maintenance
Section.
Excessive
oil
Engine running too hot.
Clean engine cooling fins, blower screen and air
consumption,
cleaner.
Using wrong weight oil.
See "Change Engine Oil" in the Maintenance
Section.
Too much oil in crankcase.
Drain excess oil.
Engine
Dirty air filter.
Replace air filter. See "Replace Air Filter Element."
exhaust is
black.
Engine choke control is in closed position.
Open choke control.
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