Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Craftsman Lawn Tractor - Electrical Problems???

Craftsman 12.5 HP IC Electric Start 42" Lawn Tractor Model 917.255580

Background: Tractor started readily and drove smoothly. When mower assembly was engaged, all seemed normal but over first 30 feet of cutting, engine steadily died, then stopped. Disengaged blades, reset gas and restarted easily, then engine died again before blades engaged.

Current Symptoms: Now when ignition key turned, solenoid ckicks audibly but otherwise no response.

Checks Completed: Battery confirmed by Sears to be in good condition, all switches (ignition, seat, brake/clutch, engage/disengage) continuity checked with no sign of malfunction. Solenoid and spark plug replaced with new. Battery terminals and leads cleaned and reconnected. Leads continuity checked. Fuse checked.

Suspicions: Ignition unit? Alternator? User malfunction?


ANY AND ALL SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE WELCOMED! THANKS.

granbyman,

The click of the solenoid would indicate that all safty switches are functional and with the batt checked as good, with the way the engine slowly come to a stop; it would seem that your engine may have seized. Is your oil level at full? Can you hear the starter engaging the crank ring gear? See if you can rotate the crank by hand?

God Bless,
Dave237

Dave327,

Oil in fact was low. Cannot hear any activity in engine. How does one crank by hand? And if engine in fact seized, what are treatments and prognosis?

Thanks for your advice!

Granbyman

granbyman,

Oil level would have to be very low to cause a seizing condition. Looking under the hood try to rotate the screen that covers the flywheel by hand also, you can try the shaft under the engine. This is not a means of cranking the engine but just to see if the crank shaft will turn freely. You should feel some resistance but not to the point that it will not turn. If it will turn with some moderate resistance but otherwise freely back and forth then seizing is not your problem.

If the crank shaft does not turn then it has seized. If this be the case; your engine is pretty much done for and will need to be rebuilt however, by adding the proper amount of oil and working the engines crank shaft back an forth by hand may loosen the bearing enough to get some more run time out of it however, it most likely will not last long and you run the chance of the rod breaking loose from the crank and cracking the block which will totally ruin this engine.


God Bless,
Dave237

Yikes,

Will give it a try and advise you of results.

Thanks,

granbyman

Before attempting to turn the engine over by hand, remove each spark plug wire lead at the plugs. Safety first...you don't want an unlikely but accidental start up while your hands are nearby. Also try the same procedure that dave237 suggested but with the plugs removed.

granbyman,

I agree. Please, be safe!

God Bless,
Dave237

Any clear diagnosis yet granbyman?