TROUBLESHOOTING

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.

Empty 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.

Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh, clean gas.

 

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

1.

Brake pedal not depressed.

1.

Depress brake pedal.

turn over

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

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, 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.

Empty fuel tank and refill tank with fresh, clean gas.

 

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 Adjustments

 

15.

Engine valves out of adjustment.

15.

Contact an authorized service center/department.

 

 

 

 

 

Excessive

1.

Worn, bent or loose blade.

1.

Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.

vibration

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 427159, 96042007201 manual Troubleshooting, Problem Cause Correction