Craftsman Mower 18HP B&S - Odd Starting Problem

13 years ago

Hello - I see a lot of people on here seem to know these mowers pretty well, and I am having a strange problem with this one. It is model number 917.254410 - probably early to mid 90's (I inherited it with the house several years ago). I have no problems replacing things, and have kept her running each season, but now am a bit baffled...

The battery has been running down this year - every couple of mows, I have to charge it. The Battery Discharging light does come on intermittently, but not all the time. Then a few days ago, it wouldn't start at all - not so much as a click when you turn the key. Figured the battery was dead, so put the charged one in (I have two). When I went to connect the NEG terminal (POS was done first), the starter engaged - and the key was off. Played around, and the key wouldn't start or stop the motor - so installed a new switch (I had a new one and a new solenoid sitting in my shed). While I was at it, I put the new solenoid in, and wired it like the old one (they looked very similar).

Now, the key will turn and put the lights on, but won't engage the starter. I can jump the solenoid terminals and get it to start, and the key will turn it off. Starter looks good, solenoid is new, ignition is new - what am I missing here? Any help from the forum would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks -

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Comments (5)

rustyj14
13 years ago
Probably the wrong solenoid. They all look the same, but ain't!
walt2002
13 years ago
Rusty may be right but I think it is your switch. The posts are not the same as the old one OR you have it connected wrong. You have to check for a post that has battery current to it when the key is in the Start position.

Walt Conner
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u812atbr549_gmail_com
12 years ago
I had simular problem. Bought new battery and then experienced the problem of no turning of starter. I figured out that the blade engage switch was not completely disconnecting when I turned it off. I giggled it and made sure it was switched off and it starts perfectly.
bluemower
12 years ago
You probably need a test light to see what is going on. I agree with the previous suggestions that wrong parts may have been installed or connected improperly. Check ground wires for continuity. Also look at the safety switches to see if they are adjusted or packed with grass. Problems like this require in depth knowledge of the electrical system.

This was a very nice older mower that is well worth maintaining. The horizontal shaft engine has been out of production for about 10 years. The blower housing and baffles on the engine should be removed to clean the cooling fins.
Ken Yolman
12 years ago
Very odd problem indeed. So you put a new battery into the machine and the engine magically turned over? Cool!

So many messed up electrical issues. I would say that a wire harness somewhere in there got fried at one time or another, and you are getting really odd shorts in all directions.