Craftsman wont start.

[ddzamba]

I have a 26 HP Craftsman lawntractor. I was mowing the yard just fine. Stopped to use the restroom. Came back out and mower will not start period.Sprayed some starter fluid in there. It cranked for a brief second and then died. Any ideas where to start on figuring this out. I am not mechanically inclined. Thanks.

 

[reynoldston]

I have a 26 HP Craftsman lawntractor. I was mowing the yard just fine. Stopped to use the restroom. Came back out and mower will not start period.Sprayed some starter fluid in there. It cranked for a brief second and then died. Any ideas where to start on figuring this out. I am not mechanically inclined. Thanks.

Are you saying it wouldn't crank. I would say a starter problem. Start with the battery and work from there, cables, connections, switches, starter ????

 

[bertsmobile1]

To be of great assistance we need the model number of the mower & the make model number & code from the engine identity tag.

So from what you are saying the engine will crank but won't fire is that correct ?

When you sprayed the starter fluid down the carb, did it fire , even for a little while ?

 

[reynoldston]

I have a 26 HP Craftsman lawntractor. . It cranked for a brief second and then died. . Thanks.

Just what are you saying because I see two completely different ideas here?

 

[mechanic mark]

Park brake on & mower deck off when trying to start?

 

[SeniorCitizen]

I have a 26 HP Craftsman lawntractor. I was mowing the yard just fine. Stopped to use the restroom. Came back out and mower will not start period.Sprayed some starter fluid in there. It cranked for a brief second and then died. Any ideas where to start on figuring this out. I am not mechanically inclined. Thanks.

Spraying starter fluid is a bad approach because the engines needs the correct air fuel ratio to run and by spraying you have no idea what that A/F ratio is you are feeding that little fellow. If you must put something in there try a thimble of gasoline and let the vacuum of the piston draw in about the amount of air fuel mixture it needs for combustion.

 

[whr6633@att.net]

1. Check for fuel in tank 2. fuel to pump past filter 3. fuel pump to carb 4. Check for wire on bottom of carb? If you leave fuel in carb between mowing seasons (Winter storage ) Ethanol breaks down quickly and can gum up the anti run on solenoid needle. It some times stinks in the close position ( power off ) When ignition is on the wire is hot and solenoid keeps needle in up position so the engine will run . Sticking needle means starved for fuel . Drop bowl on carb and clean needle valve with WD40. That will dissolve the deposits but will repeat if you don't use stabilizer.