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TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART FOR ELECTRIC START MODELS
-REMEDY- ---:J
The battery must be instatled with the negative terminal, identified at t'le terminal post by (Neg. N
or -). grounded The positive terminal (Pos, P or ..) attaches to the large cable from the solenOid
The small red wire from the fuse holder or cirCUit breaker IS also attached to the positive termInal
Replace fuse with 7'/2 amp fuse 'I. x 1 '1." Ig CircUit breaker WIll reset Itself when it cools off Fuses
or circuit breakers seldom open or fail without a reason The problem must be corrected Check for
loose connections In the fuse holder Replace fuse holder if necessary A dead shon 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 strancs have not been damaged
Note: Look for a wire pinched between body panels. burned by the exhaust pipe or muffler or rubbed
Iagainst a movIng pan
TROUBLE
LOOK FOR
Engine will not
crank
Battery installed Incor.
rectly
Blown fuse or CirCUli
breaker
Battery is dead or weak
Use a hydrometer to check the condition of 1he battery The SpecIfic GravIty (sg) should be 1 265
at 80°F (1.215 sg minimum needed for cranking engine) 'he reason for the batter,. failing must
be determined (1) Defective battery Battery will not accept or hold a full charge (2) Short circuIt.
Check for grounded wire (3) Charging system not working
The charging system IS an alternator located under the flywheel It IS unregulated and rated 3 amp
at 3600 r.pm A diode (rectifier) IS located In the output lead just befort! the wIre harness plug on
the engine side
Red
Wire
Diode
--.'
I--'
--~
t,:.;';';;;;"D._~
To Alternator <) ~ ~ ~
s
Black
Wire
Polarized
Plug
The diode changes AC to DC to charge the battery A bad diode can either fall to charge the bat.
tery or discharge the battery If the alternator IS shorted as well as the diode To test: (1) Disconnect
charger lead from the battery (small red wire) (2) Connect 12 V small test lamp between the 3 amp
DC charge lead and the positive terminal of the battery. (3) With the engine off, the lamp should
not lIght If It does. the diode and possibly the alternator should be replaced (4) Stan the engine
The lamp should light. If it does not, the alternator (stator) or lead wIre IS bad and should be replaced
Mechanical failure
(Wires and swItches)
The interlock system Includes two mechanical activated switches which are wired in series in the
circuit used to energize the starter solenoid While testing the InterlocK system, you will make the
mower temporarily unsafe by permit1ing the engine to be started wIth the blade and clutch engaged
WARNING While testing, disengage the clutch, shut off the blade control, set the parking brake and
place the gear shift lever in neutral. Attach a wire (minimum 18 gauge) to the positive terminal of the
battery and touch the other end to the small terminal on the solenoid If the engine does not crank: (1)
There is a loose connection or poor ground (2) The solenoid may be bad The solenoid can be checked
by using a heavy wire (*8 gauge minimum) and Jumping between the two large terminals If the engine
cranks, the solenoid is bad. (3) If the engine does not crank when you jump the solenoid, have the
starter motor tested by an authorized engine dealer If the engine does crank. the problem is with
one of the safety switches. Ignition switch or the wire between the fuse holder (or circuit breaker) and
the small terminal on the solenoid. Note: Look for a poor connection at the switches or a defective
swItch Replace if necessary
Engine cranks
but will nol star1
Throttle or choke not in
starting poSition
Check owner's guide for correct position for throttle control and choke for starting
No spark to spark plug Spark plug lead disconnected Connect lead Hold spark plug lead away from engine block about
1/8" Crank engine. There should be a spark II not. have engine repaired at local Western Auto Ser-
vice Center.
Faulty spark plug To test. remove spark plug. Attach spark plug lead to sparl\ plug. Ground the spark
plug body against the engine block. Crank the engine. The spark plug should fire at the electrode.
., I Replace il it does not J
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