MTD 604 manual Troubleshooting Guide, Trouble Possible Corrective Action Causes

SECTION 12: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Trouble	Possible	Corrective Action
	Cause(s)
Engine will	Safety switch	There are three safety switches in the starting circuit of your unit: the brake pedal
not crank	button not	switch, the seat switch and the PTO switch. Make certain the actuator found on the
	depressed.	brake control assembly is fully depressing the button on the brake switch. The PTO
		must be in the disengaged (OFF) position and the operator must be seated on the
		tractor in order to start the engine, also.
	Battery installed	The battery must be installed with negative terminal attached to black ground wire.
	incorrectly.	Negative terminal is identified at the post by “NEG”, “N” or “-”. The positive terminal,
		identified by “POS”, “P” or “+”, must be attached to the thick red wire which goes to the
		solenoid.
	Battery is dead	Charge at six amps with a 12-volt automotive-type battery charger for one hour or until
	or weak.	fully charged.
	Blown fuse	Refer to operator’s manual for fuse location. Replace fuse with automotive type fuse of
		the proper amperage. Fuses seldom fail without a reason. The problem must be
		corrected. Check for loose connections in the fuse holder. Replace fuse holder if nec-
		essary. A dead short may be in the cranking or charging circuit where the insulation
		may have rubbed through and exposed the bare wire. Replace the wire or repair with
		electrician's tape if the wire strands have not been damaged.
		Note: Look for a wire pinched between body panels, burned by the exhaust pipe or
		muffler or rubbed against a moving part.
Engine	Throttle or choke	Refer to the OPERATION section of this manual for the correct position of the throttle
cranks but	not in starting	control and choke for starting.
will not start	position.
	No fuel to the	Gasoline tank empty. Fill.
	carburetor.	Fuel line or in-line fuel filter plugged. Remove and clean fuel line. Replace fuel filter
		(if so equipped) if necessary.
	No spark to	Spark plug lead disconnected. Connect lead. Using a spark tester, check for spark. If
	spark plug(s).	no spark is present, have engine’s magneto serviced by an authorized engine dealer.
	Dirty aircleaner.	If the air cleaner is dirty, the engine may not start. Refer to the engine manual packed
		with your unit.
Engine	Engine oil has	Check oil level.
smokes	been overfilled.
	Engine loses	Dipstick not seated or broken. Replace defective part.
	crankcase	Engine breather defective. Replace.
	vacuum.
Excessive	Bent blade or	Stop engine immediately. Check all pulleys, blade adapters, keys and bolts for
vibration	damaged pulley.	tightness and spindle damage. Tighten or replace any loose or damaged parts.
		Always replace damaged blade. Only use original equipment blades.
Mower	Engine speed	Throttle must be set at full throttle.
won’t	low.
discharge	Speed selection.	Use lower ground speed. The slower your ground speed, the better the quality of cut.
grass or	Cutting height	Raise deck.
leaves	set too low.
uncut strips	Blades dull.	Sharpen or replace blades (uncut strip problem only).

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