Symptoms common to all riding mowers & tractors
Choose a symptom to see related riding mower and lawn tractor repairs.
Repair guides common to all riding mowers & tractors
These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your riding mower or lawn tractor.
Articles and videos common to all riding mowers & tractors
Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your riding mower or lawn tractor.
How to remove solenoid wires?
This is made up of a number of smaller wires. Lift up on the retainer clip holding the wires in place using a knife, then pull the wires up and out.
How to remove the battery wire from a starter?
The red positive battery wire also connects to the solenoid. Turn the bolts counterclockwise with your socket wrench to remove the battery wire. Remove the wire on the opposite side of the solenoid in the same manner.
How to disconnect a Craftsman tractor battery?
Open the front engine hood of your Craftsman lawn tractor and look at the battery. Disconnect the red "positive" and black battery cables from the battery using a socket wrench. This is for your own safety.
What is a Craftsman mower?
The Craftsman lawn tractor is a riding lawn mower that features a Briggs and Stratton engine assembly. These tractor mowers can suffer from a number of problems that affect its ability to run properly, and a malfunctioning solenoid that requires replacement is a common culprit.
Can you replace a solenoid on a Craftsman lawn tractor?
Fortunately, you can replace your old solenoid with a new one on your Craftsman lawn tractor regardless of your previous experience with replacing solenoids. Advertisement.
How to replace solenoid on a riding mower?
Buy the replacement from Sears, a local lawn and garden center, a yard equipment dealer or an Internet-based vendor. Bolt on the new solenoid where the old one was located. Reconnect the small thin wires and thick red cables to the solenoid. Reconnect the red and black battery cables to the mower battery. Close the hood. Verify everything is correct by starting the engine.
Where is the solenoid on a lawn mower?
On most models, the solenoid is a cylindrical or square palm-sized black device bolted to the mower frame near the engine or bolted on at the back of the engine compartment near the battery. It will have two thick red cables attached to it by nuts and bolts and one or more thin wires attached to it by bolts, screws or clips.
How to remove wires from solenoid?
Remove all the wires from the solenoid. Unbolt the large red cables from the solenoid and pull them away. Then undo the small wires by loosening the bolts, clips or screws holding them in place and pull the small wires away. Scrape any rust or corrosion off the terminal ends of the wires with a sharp knife.
What is the solenoid on a Craftsman mower?
That system includes a device called a solenoid, which is a low-amperage electromagnetic switch that completes the high-amperage connection between the battery and starter motor when the ignition key is turned to the “start” position. The electric starting system won’t work if the solenoid fails; a failed solenoid must be removed and replaced with a new one.
How to start a riding mower with a key?
Lift the riding mower’s front hood to access the starting battery. Disconnect the red and black cables from the mower battery with a box, socket or open-end wrench. Push the cables aside so the ends don’t touch the battery and give you an accidental shock.
How many posts are on a solenoid?
Step 3 – There are two posts on a solenoid. The red wire is attached to one of the posts, and right next to that post, a wire is leading towards the starter motor. These posts will be directly in line.
What is a defective solenoid?
A defective solenoid denies electric charge to the starter motor thus preventing the mower from starting up. A solenoid is basically an electromagnetic switch that needs to work for your mower to start.
How to check if a Craftsman mower is bad?
Step 1 – If the riding mower’s starter motor does not move or is unresponsive when you turn the ignition key, you need to test the solenoid. Craftsman solenoid location. Step 2 – If you are unaware the solenoid is a small black box ...
Why won't my mower start?
If you have a faulty solenoid your mower won’t start. A solenoid is a low-amp relay system that bridges the high-amperage electrical connection between the battery and the starter motor when you turn the ignition key to start the mower. A defective solenoid denies electric charge to the starter motor thus preventing the mower from starting up.
How to know if your mower is staring?
Other things that you should also check if you are having issues staring your mower are: 1 – Check the battery charge level of your mower. If the charge is below 12.5 volts you might need to charge the battery before starting the mower. 2- Check all the visible electrical wiring connecting the battery, solenoid, ...
Why is it important to take care of a riding lawn mower?
Maintenance is important for your riding lawn mower to ensure that it lives up to and exceeds its life span. It is important to know the basics of how to take care of your machine.
Do riding lawn mowers have electric starting?
Most modern riding lawn mowers are equipped with electric starting systems. These electric starting mechanisms offer great convenience over older methods. By older methods, we mean blowing your arm muscles out ripping the cord to get the mower started. Several essential parts play a part in the working of electric starting systems.
