Simplicity 2690770, 2690716 instruction sheet Troubleshooting the Rider

TROUBLESHOOTING

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 operating properly. The troubleshooting guide below lists the most common problems, their causes and remedies.

If you prefer, all of these procedures can be performed by your local authorized dealer.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury, perform maintenance on the rider or mower only when the engine is stopped and the ground speed levers are 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	Ignition switch not turned fully to START position.	Turn ignition switch fully to START position.
not turnover.
	Ground speed levers not set to START/PARK.	Set to START/PARK.
	Mower blade switch in ON position.	Place in OFF position.
	Battery terminals require cleaning.	Clean the battery terminals
	Battery discharged or dead.	Recharge or replace.
	Wiring loose or broken; connector separated.	Visually check wiring & replace broken or frayed
		wires. Tighten loose connections.
	Safety interlock switch faulty.	Replace. Contact your local authorized dealer.
	Solenoid or starter motor faulty.	Replace. Contact your local authorized dealer.
Engine will	Engine is cold; choke not in CLOSED position.	Move choke to CLOSED position.
turnover but
	Engine is warm; choke not in OPEN position.	Move choke to OPEN position.
will not start.
	Engine flooded.	Set choke to OPEN position when cranking engine.
	Out of fuel.	Allow engine to cool, then refill the fuel tank.
	Fuel is old or stale, or water in fuel.	Drain fuel & replace with fresh fuel. Contact your
		local authorized dealer.
	Spark plug(s) faulty, fouled or incorrectly gapped.	Clean and gap or replace.
	Safety interlock switch faulty.	Replace. Contact your local authorized dealer.
Engine starts	Air filter plugged	Service pre-cleaner and/or replace air filter
hard or runs		element.
poorly.
	Choke not set to CLOSED position when	Set choke to CLOSED when cranking. Set choke
	cranking the engine, OR choke not set to OPEN	to OPEN when engine is running. A warm engine
	after engine starts.	may not require choking.
	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 or pre-cleaner, or both.	Service or replace as required. See Maintenance
exhaust is		Section.
black.
	Choke set to CLOSED when engine is running.	Set choke to OPEN as soon as engine starts.

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