Repairs 2016 craftsman 42" riding mower, Model 917203831 starting problem

mnettrour

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  • / 2016 craftsman 42" riding mower, Model 917203831 starting problem
Briggs and Stratton 19.5 Hp Engine attempts to crank a little bit, high pitched whine from around the solenoid. Sometimes almost starts flywheel turns. Battery put on tender until it was 12.6V, new solenoid, new starter, valves adjusted today 4/6 which is the middle setting. They were very loose but still the same symptoms. I get a .9V reading checking from negative battery terminal to engine ground. 1.2V checking from positive battery terminal to starter positive terminal (everything I read says they both should read less than .5V. Also when checking voltage at positive starter terminal its only 6V. I have tried jumping it with my truck battery ( truck engine not running) just in case I had a weak battery, same problem. I have connected a jumper cable from the positive battery terminal to the positive starter terminal, same problem. I also tried connecting both jumper cables, + to starter terminal, - to ground same problem. I have not tried it with the spark plug removed which I will tomorrow. Cables all look good, but the mower is stored outdoors under a metal carport that is open on the sides so I suppose a cable could be corroded internally. I took the ignition switch out and it checks okay with a ohm meter, but I wonder as sometimes when you rapidly turn the switch the engine almost turns over, but that may be it being on the exhaust cycle and the when it hits the intake it slows down? and not a switch problem? Could a pushrod be off the rocker arm? I guess removing the spark plug an cranking will tell me that. The 20 AMP fuse is okay.

BTW this mower has had the blade engaging spring fail, the transmission cooling fan replaced once and now it needs another one. The warranty is now expired and I have a zero turn mower, but want to fix this one to sell or use to pull the trailer we bought for it.

I am not a mechanic but have read everything I can find, and I have worked on a little bit of everything so have basic mechanical ability.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
 

Rivets

Lawn Royalty
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  • / 2016 craftsman 42" riding mower, Model 917203831 starting problem
Please give us the model, type and code numbers from the engine and the model and serial number from the tractor. This will tell us what you are looking at. Here is a procedure to troubleshoot your unit. When you post back with the results of each test we will be better able to tell you how to prooceed.
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Electrical* problems can be very easy or very difficult, depending on four things.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]1. * How well you understand basic electricity.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]2. *What tools you have and know how to use.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]3. *How well you follow directions.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]4. *You don't overlook or assume anything and verify everything.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Remember we cannot see what you are doing. *You are our eyes, ears and fingers in solving this problem. *You must be as accurate as you can when you report back. *The two basic tools we will ask you to use are a test light and a multi-meter. *If you have an assistant when going through these tests it would be very helpful. *These steps work the best when done in order, so please don't jump around. *Now let's solve this problem.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]First, check the fuse(s), check battery connections for corrosion (clean if necessary) and *voltage - above 12.5 volts should be good.*[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Second, check for power from the battery to one of the large terminals on the solenoid. *One of the wires is connected directly to the battery and has power all the time so one of the large terminals should light a test light or show 12 volts on a meter at all times.*[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Third, *check for power at the small terminal of the solenoid while depressing the clutch/brake pedal and holding the key in the start position (you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch). If your solenoid is a four wire solenoid, check both small wire terminals as one is ground and the other is power from the ignition switch. *If your solenoid is a three wire solenoid, make sure the solenoid body is not corroded where it bolts to the chassis of the mower as this is your ground path back to the battery. *If in doubt, remove the solenoid and clean the mounting area down to bare metal. *If there is no power to the small terminal then your problem is most likely a safety switch, ignition switch or in the wiring.*[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Fourth, check for power on the other large terminal of the solenoid while holding the key in the start position q(you may need an assistant to sit in the seat to override the safety switch).*[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Fifth, check for power at the starter while holding the key in the start position (assistant again).*[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Sixth, check your ground circuit back to the battery.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]After you have gone through each of the above steps, let us know what happened when you did each step. *At that point we will have great info to tell you how to proceed. *Remember you are our eyes, ears, and fingers, so please be as accurate as possible.[/FONT][/FONT]
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[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Be as specific as possible with voltage readings as this will help diagnose your problem quicker. *If you do not know how to perform the above checks, just ask and I will try to guide you through it. *Youtube also has some videos and as you know a picture is worth a thousand words.[/FONT][/FONT]
 
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