Bolens 135-688-000 - Manual (Page 20)

TROUBLE SHOOTING CHART FOR ELECTRIC START MODELS
TROUBLE LOOK FOR REMEDY
Engine will not
crank Battery installed incor­
rectly The battery i nust be installed with the negative, identified at the terminal post by (Neg, N or -),
grounded. T le positive (Pos, P or -i-) attaches to the large cable from the solenoid. The small
red wire fron i the fuse holder or circuit breaker is also attached to the positive terminal.
Blown fuse or circuit
breaker Replace fusi) with 7Vi amp. fuse V a x 1’A ” Ig. Circuit breaker will reset itself when it cools off.
Fuses or ciicuit breakers seldom open or fail without a reason. The problem must be cor­
rected. Cher :k for loose connections in the fuse holder. Replace fuse holder if necessary. A
dead short iiay be in the cranking or charging circuit where the insulation may have rubbed
through and exposed the bare wire. Replace the wire or repair with electrican’s tape if the wire
strands hav< not been damaged. Note; Look for a wire pinched between body panels, burned
by the exhau st pipe or muffler or rubbed against a moving part.
Battery is dead or weak Use a hydro meter to check the condition of the battery. The Specific Gravity (s.g.) should be
1.265 at 80” ^ (1.215 s.g. minimum needed for cranking engine). The reason for the battery fail­
ing must be determined. (1) Detective battery. Battery will not accept or hold a full charge. (2)
Short circuí . Check for grounded wire. (3) Charging system not working, either engine alter­
nator or trici le charger.
Trickle Chaiger. Check with multimeter. Charger 725-0578—input 120 V A.C., no load output
13.5 V D.C., ated load current 1 amp. Charger 725-0507—input 120 V A.C., no load output 17.4
V D.C., rated load current 1/2 amp.
Alternator (ilual or single circuit) The charging system is an alternator located under the
flywheel. It s unregulated and rated 3 amp. at 3600 r.p.m. A diode (rectifier) is located in the
output lead j ust before the wire harness plug on the engine side.
To Alternator
The diode cf anges A.C. to D.C. to charge the battery. A bad diode can either fail to charge the
battery or dl jcharge the battery if the alternator is shorted as well as the diode. To test: (1)
Disconnect < iharger lead from the battery (small red wire). (2) Connect 12 V small test lamp be­
tween the 3 i imp. D.C. charge lead and the positive terminal of the battery. (3) With the engine
off, the lamp should not light. If it does, the diode and possibly the alternator should be re­
placed. (4) S
i art the engine. The lamp should light. If it does not,the alternator (stator) or lead
wire is bad ai id should be replaced.
Mechanical failure.
(Wires and switches)
The interloci system includes two mechanical activated switches which are wired in series in
the circuit u sed to energize the starter solenoid. While testing the interlock system, you will
make the mcyver temporarily unsafe by permitting the engine to be started with the blade and
clutch engag ed. WARNING: While testing, disengage the clutch, shut off the blade control, set
the parking t fake and place the gear shift lever in neutral. Attach a wire (minimum 18 gauge) to
the positive terminal of the battery and touch the other end to the small terminal on the
solenoid. If t ie engine does not crank: (1) There is a loose connection or poor ground. (2) The
solenoid ma;: be bad. The solenoid can be checked by using a heavy wire (#8 gauge minimum)
and jumping between the two large terminals. If the engine cranks, the solenoid is bad. (3) If
the engine dses not crank when you jump the solenoid, have the starter motor tested by an
authorized eigine dealer. If the engine does crank, the problem is with one of the safety
switches, igr ition switch or the wire between the fuse holder (or circuit breaker) and the small
terminal on he solenoid. Note: Look for a poor connection at the switches or a defective
switch. Repli ce if necessary.
Engine cranks
but
will not
start
Throttle or choke not in
starting position
Check ownei's guide for correct position for throttle control and choke (if separate control) for
starting.
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