Craftsman 917.289250, 917.289251, 917.289253 owner manual Problem Cause, Will not Start

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 witl-

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

Carburetor

out

of

adjustment.

14

See "To Adjust

Carburetor"

in

Service

and

Adjustments

section.

15

Engine

valves

out

of

adjustment.

15

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).

Engine continues to 1 Faulty operator-safety presence

run when operator control system. leaves seat with

attachment clutch engaged

3Tighten loose part(s). Replace damaged parts.

1Check wiring, switches and connections. If not corrected, contact a Sears or other

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