TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

PROBLEM

CAUSE

CORRECTION

Will not start

1.

Out of fuel.

1.

Fill fuel tank.

 

2.

Engine not “CHOKED”

2.

See “TO START ENGINE” in

 

 

properly.

 

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 carbure-

 

 

 

 

tor, refill tank with fresh gas

 

 

 

 

oline 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 and Adjustments

 

 

 

 

section.

 

10. Engine valves out of

10. Contact a qualified service

 

 

adjustment.

 

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 gasoline.

 

6.

Loose or damaged wiring.

6.

Check all wiring.

 

7.

Carburetor out of adjustment.

7.

See “To Adjust Carburetor” in

 

 

 

 

Service and Adjustments

 

 

 

 

section.

 

8.

Engine valves out of

8.

Contact a qualified

 

 

adjustment.

 

service center/department.

 

 

 

 

 

Engine will not

1.

Clutch/brake pedal not

1.

Depress clutch/brake pedal.

turn over

 

depressed.

 

 

 

2.

Attachment clutch is

2.

Disengage attachment

 

 

engaged.

 

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

9.

Contact a qualified service

 

 

switch(es).

 

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

1.

Raise cutting height/reduce

 

 

fast.

 

speed.

 

2.

Throttle in “CHOKE” position.

2.

Adjust throttle control.

 

 

 

 

 

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Poulan CO185H42STA manual Troubleshooting Chart, Problem Cause Correction