Craftsman 917.388721 - Manual (Page 16)

TROUBLESHOOTING CHART
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
Does not start 1. Dirty air filter. 1. Clean/replace air filter.
2, Out of fuel. 2. Fill fuel tank.
3. Stale fuel. 3. Drain tank and refill with
fresh clean fuel.
4. Water in fuel. 4. Drain fuel tank and
carburetor and refill tank
with fresh gasoline.
5. Spark plug wire is
disconnected.
5. Connect wire to plug.
6. Bad spark plug. 6. Replace spark plug.
7. Loose blade or broken 7. Tighten blade bolt or
Made adapter. replace blade adapter.
8. Control bar in released 8. Depress control bar to
position. handle.
9. Control bar defective. 9. Replace control bar.
Loss of power 1. Rear of lawn mower 1. Set to “Higher Cut’
housing or cutting blade
dragging in heavy grass. position.
2. Cutting too much grass. 2. Set to “Higher Cut"
position.
3. Dirty air filter. 3. Clean/replace air filter.
4. Buildup of grass, leaves, 4. Clean underside of mower
and trash under mower. housing.
5. Too much oil in engine. 5. Check oil level.
6. Walking speed too fast. 6. Cut at slower walking
speed.
Poor cut - 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten
uneven blade bolt.
2. Wheel heights uneven. 2. Set all wheels at same
height.
3. Buildup of grass, leaves 3. Clean underside of
and trash under mower. mower housing.
Excessive 1. Worn, bent or loose blade. 1. Replace blade. Tighten
vibration blade bolt.
2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
Starter rope hard 1. Engine flywheel brake is on 1. Depress control bar to
to puli when control bar is released upper handle before
pulling starter rope.
2. Bent engine crankshaft. 2. Contact a Sears or other
qualified service center.
3. Blade adapter broken. 3. Replace blade adapter.
4. Blade dragging in grass. 4. Move lawn mower to cut
grass or to hard surface.
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