Craftsman 42" starting problems

mrgutzmer

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May 6, 2010
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Hi
I have a 42" craftsman - it does not want to start - had starter rebuilt - new battery - seems like blade drive does not want to disengage.
Please Advise.
Thanks,
Martin
 

old man

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May 6, 2010
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Need to pull the mower deck out from under the mower. Then you can try to start the mower and while you have it out check all of the pulleys and belt pathway
 

GentlemanFahmah

Active Member
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May 5, 2010
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The cable system that is attached to the blade engagement idler pulley must bottom out on the safety switch to work. I am pretty sure that switch is a "normal open" switch so unless the cable retracts fully and hits the safety, it won't start thinking the blades are still engaged even though the arm on the dashboard is down.

Those 42" decks get full of grass and then get corrosion and the return spring on the idler pulley on the belt system sticks so you have to clean the top of the deck completely of old grass and crap (leaf blower & brush or hose and stick) and then make sure when you engage the mower, the idler pulley is tensioning the belt, then also make sure that when you release the blade the bracket is free (hose it down with some KROIL or PB Blaster) so it properly retracts and pulls the cable at the dashboard lever back AND AWAY from the safety.

The idler pulley on those 42" decks stick constantly when they are old and require frequent lube and cleaning to keep them free.

If the starting problem acts like a bad solenoid (clicks but won't start) then check the ground connection from the battery to the frame AT THE FRAME assuming you have cleaned your battery terminals at the battery and starter.
 
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