Check out some similar questions!

gabzeek · May 15, 2007, 11:08 AM

Sears Craftsman riding mower will not start. Not a click sound. Battery is good. I think the key switch is good. When I checked it has continuity when switched to ON. Where do I need to check next?

ballengerb1 · May 15, 2007, 11:29 AM

Your tractor has at least 3 safety switches that need to be checked. The seat safety switch is under the seat and should show no continuity when you are seated, it shorts when you get off. The test the blade engagement switch and then the clutch/brake switch. If all switches test OK then check the black and the white wire at the solenoid. When you turn the key the solenoid should click and show 12 vdc. If you have power but no click then the solenoid is bad. Try jumpering the two large red wires on the solenoid with the key turned on. Use a heavy wire, it will heat up quickly. If the engine starts then you likely have a bad ignition switch.

blh · May 31, 2007, 03:27 PM

Some if not all Sears mowers also have a 20 AMP Fuse in the wireing harness.

MrNewYears · Nov 8, 2007, 06:51 AM

My Craftsman tractor would not start either - I was cutting the grass and it just stopped. Tried starting, nothing, no clicks, nothing. So, since I needed to do some maintenance, here's what I replaced: battery, solenoid, starter, oil & filter, fuel filter, spark plug, muffler and fuel tank (small crack in the old one).

Still nothing. Read here and saw to check fuse. While doing so, I noticed a hot lead wire from the solenoid that was sliced almost all the way through. Cut it, spliced it, crimped it and it started up!

So, the lesson is: check your wiring for any cuts, too, in addition to the good advice given here.

blh · Nov 8, 2007, 12:13 PM

Glad my answer helped you. Sometimes we forget to check the easy things. Most times the easiest solution to a problem is the most obvious. "if you hear hoofbeats think horses not zebras".

MOWERMAN2468 · Nov 10, 2007, 06:38 AM

Check the fuse. It is located in between the solenoid and ignition switch.

gsaddler · May 2, 2010, 06:21 PM

My lawn mower stopped in the middle of mowing I have relpaced the battery, spark plugs, solenoid, I do get a click what else do I need to do

dfincher · Jun 8, 2012, 10:00 AM

Where are the blade and brake switch located and how do I test them?

dfincher · Jun 8, 2012, 10:01 AM

[QUOTE=dfincher;3145155]where are the blade and brake switch located and how do I test them or what do I test them with?

Draks · Sep 9, 2013, 02:43 PM

Craftsman, 42" Rider, 917.271142
Won't start, hear click of solenopid... tested seat safety, OK. Was working fine, left it after my last cut when it was running OK... I have had some issues of having to 'wiggle' around on top of it to get it started - as if the seat sensor was bad, but not this time. Also, the flywheel starter are not engaged, not too sure where to look next...