25

SECTION 12: TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

Trouble Possible

Cause(s) Corrective Action

Engine will
not crank Safety switch
button not
depressed.
Battery installed
incorrectly.
Battery is dead
or weak.
Blown fuse
There are two safety switches in the starting circui t of you r unit: the brak e pedal s witch
and the PTO switch. Make c ertain the actuator is fully depressing the buttons on each
switch. The Operator must be seated on the tract or i n order to start the engine, also.
The battery must be installed with negative terminal attached to bl ack ground wire.
Negative terminal is identified at the post by “NEG”, “N” or “- ”. The positive terminal,
identified by “POS”, “P” or “+”, must be attached to th e thic k red wi re which goe s to the
solenoid.
Charge at six amps with a 12-volt automotive- type bat te ry charger f or one hour or unt il
fully charged.
Refer to operator’s man ual f or f use locat ion. Repl ace fuse wi th automot iv e t ype fuse o f
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 dam aged.
Note: Look for a wire pinched between body panels, burned by the exhaust pipe or
muffler or rubbed against a moving part.
Engine
cranks but
will not start
Throttle or choke
not in starting
position.
No fuel to the
carburetor.
No spark to
spark plug(s).
Dirty aircleaner.
Refer to the OPERATION section of this manual for the corr ect position of the throttle
control and choke for starting..
Gasoline tank em pty. Fill.
Fuel line or in-line fuel filter plugged. Remove and clean fuel line. Replace fuel filter
(if so equipped) if necessary.
Spark plug lead disconnected. Connect lead. Using a spark tester, check for spark. If
no spark is present, have engine’s magneto serviced by your Cub Cadet dealer.
If the air cleaner is dirty, the engine may not start. Refer to the engine manual packed
with your unit.
Engine
smokes Engine oil has
been overfilled.
Engine loses
crankcase
vacuum.
Check oil level.
Dipstick not seated or broken. Replace defective part.
Engine breather defective. Replace.
Excessive
vibration Bent blade or
damaged pulley. Stop engine immediately. Check all pulleys, blade adapter s, keys and bolts for
tightness and spindle damage. Tighten or replace any loose or damaged parts.
Always replace damaged blade. Only use original equipment blades.
Mower
won’t
discharge
grass or
leaves
uncut strips
Engine speed
low.
Speed selection.
Cutting height
set too low.
Blades dull.
Throttle must be set at full throttle.
Use lower ground speed. The slower your ground speed, the better the quality of cut.
Raise deck.
Sharpen or replace blades (uncut strip problem only).