TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS

PROBLEM

CAUSE

 

CORRECTION

 

 

 

 

 

Will not start

1.

Out of fuel.

1.

Fill fuel tank.

 

2.

Engine not “CHOKED” properly.

2.

See “TO START ENGINE” in Operation section.

 

3.

Engine flooded.

3.

Wait several minutes before attempting to start.

 

4.

Bad spark plug.

4.

Replace spark plug.

 

5.

Dirty air filter.

5.

Clean/replace air filter.

 

6.

Dirty fuel filter.

6.

Replace fuel filter.

 

7.

Water in fuel.

7.

Drain fuel tank and carburetor, refill tank with fresh

 

 

 

 

gasoline and replace fuel filter.

 

8.

Loose or damaged wiring.

8.

Check all wiring.

 

9.

Carburetor out of adjustment.

9.

See “To Adjust Carburetor” in Service Adjustments

 

 

 

 

section.

 

10.

Engine valves out of adjustment.

10.

Contact an authorized service center/department.

 

 

 

 

 

Hard to start

1.

Dirty air filter.

1.

Clean/replace air filter.

 

2.

Bad spark plug.

2.

Replace spark plug.

 

3.

Weak or dead battery.

3.

Recharge or replace battery.

 

4.

Dirty fuel filter.

4.

Replace fuel filter.

 

5.

Stale or dirty fuel.

5.

Drain fuel tank and refill with fresh gasoline.

 

6.

Loose or damaged wiring.

6.

Check all wiring.

 

7.

Carburetor out of adjustment.

7.

See “To Adjust Carburetor” in Service Adjustments

 

 

 

 

section.

 

8.

Engine valves out of adjustment.

8.

Contact an authorized service center/department.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine will not turn over

1.

Clutch/brake pedal not depressed.

1.

Depress clutch/brake pedal.

 

2.

Attachment clutch is engaged.

2.

Disengage attachment clutch.

 

3.

Weak or dead battery.

3.

Recharge or replace battery.

 

4.

Blown fuse.

4.

Replace fuse.

 

5.

Corroded battery terminals.

5.

Clean battery terminals.

 

6.

Loose or damaged wiring.

6.

Check all wiring.

 

7.

Faulty ignition switch.

7.

Check/replace ignition switch.

 

8.

Faulty solenoid or starter.

8.

Check/replace solenoid or starter.

 

9.

Faulty operator presence switch(es).

9.

Contact an authorized service center/department.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine clicks but will not

1.

Weak or dead battery.

1.

Recharge or replace battery.

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.

Set in “Higher Cut” position/reduce speed.

 

2.

Throttle in “CHOKE” position.

2.

Adjust throttle control.

 

3.

Build-up of grass, leaves and trash under mower.

3.

Clean underside of 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.

Drain fuel tank and refill with fresh gasoline.

 

9.

Water in fuel.

9.

Drain 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 Adjustments

 

 

 

 

section.

 

15.

Engine valves out of adjustment.

15.

Contact an authorized service center/department.

 

 

 

 

 

Excessive vibration

1.

Worn, bent or loose blade.

1.

Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.

 

2.

Bent blade mandrel.

2.

Replace blade mandrel.

 

3.

Loose/damaged part(s).

3.

Tighten loose part(s). Replace damaged parts.

 

 

 

 

 

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Poulan 181537 manual Troubleshooting Points