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TROUBLESHOOTING POINTS
Does not start 1. Dirty air fi lter. 1. Clean/replace air fi lter.
2. Out of fuel. 2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Stale fuel. 3. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank with fresh,
clean gasoline.
4. Water in fuel. 4. Empty fuel tank and refi ll tank with fresh,
clean gasoline.
5. Spark plug wire is disconnected. 5. Connect wire to plug.
6. Bad spark plug. 6. Replace spark plug.
7. Loose blade or broken blade adapter. 7. Tight en blade bolt or replace blade adapter.
8. Control bar in released position. 8. Depress control bar to handle.
9. Control bar defective. 9. Replace control bar.
10. Fuel valve lever (if equipped) in OFF position. 10. Turn fuel valve lever to the ON position.
11. Weak battery (if equipped). 11. Charge battery.
12. Disconnected battery connector (if equipped). 12. Connect battery to engine.
Loss of power 1. Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting 1. Raise cutting height.
blade dragging in heavy grass.
2. Cutting too much grass. 2. Raise cutting height.
3. Dirty air fi lter. 3. Clean/replace air fi lter.
4. Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under 4. Clean underside of mower housing.
mower.
5. Too much oil in engine. 5. Check oil level.
6. Walking speed too fast. 6. Cut at slower walking speed.
Poor cut – 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.
uneven 2. Wheel heights uneven. 2. Set all wheels at same height.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves and trash under 3. Clean underside of mower housing.
mower.
Excessive 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten blade bolt.
vibration 2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a Sears Parts & Repair center.
Starter rope 1. Engine fl ywheel brake is on when control 1. Depress control bar to upper handle before
hard to pull bar is released. pulling starter rope.
2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a Sears Parts & Repair center.
3. Blade adapter broken. 3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Blade dragging in grass. 4. Move lawn mower to cut grass or other
hard surface before starting.
Grass catcher 1. Cutting height too low. 1. Raise cutting height.
not fi lling 2. Lift on blade worn off. 2. Replace blade.
(if so equipped) 3. Catcher not venting air. 3. Clean grass catcher.
Hard to push 1. Grass is too high or wheel height is too low. 1. Raise cutting height.
2. Rear of lawn mower housing or cutting 2. Raise rear of lawn mower housing one (1)
blade dragging in heavy grass. setting higher.
3. Grass catcher too full. 3. Empty grass catcher.
4. Handle height position not right for you. 4. Adjust handle height to suit.
Loss of drive 1. Belt wear. 1. Check/replace drive belt.
(or slowing of 2. Belt off of pulley. 2. Check/reinstall drive belt.
drive speed) 3. Drive cable worn or broken. 3. Put belt on pulleys / replace belts if broken.
4. “Loose” drive control system. 4. Adjust drive control.
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION