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View Full Version : Craftman 15.5 HP Lawn mower


djjnz03
Sep 20, 2008, 04:11 AM
My old model lawn mower won't start. No cranking at all. No clicking. Completely dead. Battery is 5 months old, got it checked, a bit low, charged over night. No crank. Got the starter off and checked. It works. Cleaned its terminals and ground base. No crank. Replaced ignition switch. No crank. Seat switch seems OK. Fuse seems OK. Blade's on/off switch seems OK. Checked and cleaned all electrical connections and seem to be OK. Am I missing something else to check and replace? My neighbors will start to complain about my lawn. Please help.
Thank you.

rsain2004
Sep 20, 2008, 07:24 AM
The starter uses more amps than a simple switch can handle... there must be a relay or soleniod that the switch pulls in, to engage the starter. Follow the wiring to find it, it's probably failed... Good luck...

jsfocke
Sep 20, 2008, 01:23 PM
The only things you didn't mention checking are the safety switches on the clutch/brake pedal and the deck level handle.

djjnz03
Sep 20, 2008, 05:18 PM
Thank you both. I cleaned and check clutch/brake and handle safety switches. It's hard to tell if they are working or not. I'll remove what seems to be the solenoid and hope to find the a new one at the local store. I was about to give up hope and run to buy a new lawn mower.
Thank you again.

djjnz03
Sep 24, 2008, 02:48 AM
Thank you both again. The solenoid was the problem. Now I have a "New" lawn mower with new ignition switch, solenoid, and cleaned safety switches.