Craftsman ride on mower won't start?

cocoed · Aug 30, 2008

A friend gave me a craftsman RE2000, model 502255060. I bought a new battery & new spark plug but still can't get it to start,, no spark. Would anyone have any ideas on this, I would appreciate it alot.

Foothill Rancher · Aug 31, 2008

I have a yard man that acts up every now and then, my problem has been the float sticks shut and won't allow gas to the fuel bowl.
How did you check for spark, was the plug grounded?

TedLaRue · Aug 31, 2008

On many lawn mowers, the spark is generated when magnets in the flywheel pass the armature of the coil. It's pretty common for some rust to form on the flywheel and/or the armature of the coil causing them to touch. If they touch, you won't have sufficient spark.

Remove the tin cover to expose the flywheel, and use some sandpaper to sand the flywheel clean. If you see the armature of the coil, sand it clean where it's close to the flywheel. I try to run a piece of fine-grit sandpaper in between them.

There could be other problems (bad coil or bad electronic ignition module) but start with the simple inexpensive stuff.

cocoed · Aug 31, 2008

Thanks alot for all the good info. I wanted to say don't know if it makes a diff, it shut off while the guy was mowing the lawn from what I hear.

WVBill · Aug 31, 2008

Check all of the safety interlocks. operator-in-seat sensor for example.
I had a neighbor who 's wife mowed on his Craftsman and it kept cutting out as she mowed along. turns out she's a very tiny lady and as she bounced along she would come up weight off seat just enough intermittently to un-make the operator-in-seat sensor and the tractor would die.

WVBill

cocoed · Aug 31, 2008

Thanks, I pushed the seat down to make sure the button went in & it did, is that right? Also where would other safety interlocks be?

radioman · Aug 31, 2008

there's the mower saftey lock when engaged. For now find those two saftey switches and pull them off and jump it with a paperclip or bent wire in shape of U. then try to start it . if you get it started then you have a bad saftey switch. replace one of those switches. If still no spark- you will need to follow the previous advice to pull the metal cover off top of motor to expose flywheel and clean it and coil as well. then try again. IF all fails, most likely you got a bad coil or spark plug like other TBN member said. good luck.

Foothill Rancher · Sep 1, 2008

I may have misunderstood you, does it turn over but won't start or when you turn the key to start there's nothing?

cocoed · Sep 1, 2008

I did what was suggested by you guys& it started but it was smoking real bad & the cellunoid (prob spelled wrong) was clicking. Went to Sears guy sd I need a new on but have to order on line, he sd it's an old machine. Thanks everyone!