Craftsman push mower won’t start after hitting stump
Hit blind stump, bent blade bad, replaced blade, no start. Replaced spark plug, air filter, still won’t start (needed it anyhow) Prime or no prime, similar behavior. I cranked over 150 times now, every once in a while I get but seems like a single ignition and a single black puff comes out, but it doesn’t really turn over more than that one firing. It seems like pulling the string is normal ease. Any thoughts? I did have to turn it on its side to replace the blade. Anything I should be looking for regarding that ? Can hitting a stump do something that damages more than just the blade(shaft bent, timing knocked off, etc).
I’m wondering if you’ve completely filled the carb with gasoline. I wonder if you could take the carb off of the engine, then drain everything which is in it, then put it back on and see if it will fire. Sounds like it could be flooding over and over again. This could have been caused by having it on its side. At least you’re getting your work out in by pulling on the cord! J/K. Let us know what you find.
emptied out the carb using the bolt on the bottom, which I inspected and it was very clean. I pulled off the top of the engine and found the flywheel was split in 4 places and off the key (which did not shear like it was supposed to do). Should I be simply replacing the flywheel now, or is there likely more damage that I cannot see to the crankshaft or engine?
As long as there’s no damage to the top of the crankshaft, you should be able to just replace this piece. I believe it may provide some of the “flywheel” action, but I believe its main purpose is for the magneto to provide power to run the engine (through the spark plug). You’ll need to ensure the magneto pickup is set at the right distance from the flywheel. I don’t know what that measurement is, but it should be pretty close, otherwise the induction pickup process won’t be strong enough and your engine won’t run.
Answers 2
With lawn mowers it’s not uncommon to shear the flywheel key when hitting something with the blade.
The crankshaft in a lawn mower sites vertically. At the bottom there is the blade. At the top there is a flywheel. The flywheel serves two purposes. The first is that it’s big and heavy allowing it to store kinetic energy so that the lawn mower can continue to spin through the 3 unpowered strokes. The second is that the flywheel has magnets embedded in it. The magnet is used for the ignition, sparking the plug when the magnets wiss by the ignition coil.
The end of the crank at the top of the mower is tapered and has key. The key is usually aluminum. The flywheel sits on the taper and is aligned with the key, With a big nut holding everything tight together. The key is aluminum so that when enough stress is applied it will shear. This is to protect the crank shaft and flywheel from damage. If the key was hard enough not to shear it could crack the crank shaft or the flywheel.
The symptom is that the engine will not start after hitting something with the blade. This is because when the key shears the alignment of the flywheel is no longer correct with the crank shaft. Because of the misalignment the ignition no longer sparks at the correct time.
To repair, remove the flywheel (not that easy to do), remove and replace the key.
Pros
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
The Craftsman 37744 is a self-propelled gas lawn mower that has all of the excellent features and functionality you need to keep your lawn well groomed, as well as several convenience features that make it easy to use and maintain. However, a few design oversights make it less convenient than the best gas lawn mowers in other areas.
You’ll immediately find this Craftsman lawn mower easy to start and use. An electric starter powers the mower with one push of a button. When we were testing, this mower started immediately each time we used it, and with a good-sized 163cc engine and a 21-inch cutting blade, we found it is a powerful mower that cuts grass quickly.
While you can cover a lot of acreage in a short amount of time with this mower, the bag has a small capacity. The manufacturer lists the bag’s capacity at 1.9 bushels or 2.4 cubic feet. While this is standard for a mower of this size, it requires you to empty the bag numerous times when mowing large lawns, which can become a big inconvenience. We also found that a significant amount of dust escapes this bag as you mow. Our top pick, the Honda HRX has a bag that can hold up to 2.5 bushels of clippings.
This mower has big wheels in the back and smaller ones in the front that improve the mobility. You can adjust the height of the lawn mower’s wheels and the cutting height of the blades to customize the mower to better fit you and your lawn. There are six cutting positions, with the height of the blades ranging from 1.25 inches to 3.75 inches. This self-propelled lawn mower also has variable front-wheel drive that makes it easier to push and turn, which is helpful since there is no cushion on the handle.
When operating the lawn mower, we found that it has a high vibration level compared to other brands in our product lineup. Without a cushion on the handle, this can wear on your hands after a while. While this mower vibrates more than our top-rated lawn mowers, it runs more quietly than most of its competition. We measured the noise level of the lawn mower while it was running at 90 dB, which is noticeably quieter than the common 97 dB.
This gas lawn mower is very easy to clean and maintain. It has a port you can attach to a hose so you can clean out underneath the mower while you run the blade. This is an increasingly common feature in lawn mowers and it is a welcome convenience. This Craftsman mower also has Just Check and Add technology from Briggs Stratton that saves you time by eliminating the need to change or drain oil from the engine. All you have to do is add oil when it is needed.
Craftsman Lawn Mower Reviews: Which of These Four Is the Best?
In this review of four different gas-powered Craftsman lawn mowers, you’ll read about what these machines have to offer and how they differ from each other.
At the end of these reviews, you’ll also find out which model we chose as the winner in four product feature categories: best mower for small yards, the mower with the best power, the one with the most helpful product features, and the easiest to use.
By reading this review, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of these four Craftsman products, learning the advantages and disadvantages of each one. Then, you’ll have the information you need to decide if one of these lawnmowers is the right one for you and your lawn.
Quick Comparison Chart
This review covers the four models listed in the chart above. Take note that none of these are Craftsman electric lawn mower or Craftsman commercial lawn mower models.
Instead, all four products reviewed here are gas-powered and designed for residential use.
– Product Highlights:
Product Comparison
– Best Mower for Small Yards
If you want a small lawn mower that is extremely easy to use, this one might be a good choice because it has a simple recoil start and only one operator bar. It is also the lightest and most compact mower, making it straightforward to move around in small areas.
– Best Mower for Power
For those who want a small but incredibly powerful Craftsman self propelled lawn mower. this one has the biggest engine along with front-wheel drive. self-propel and large rear wheels for extra power when tackling challenging cutting situations.
– Best Mower Features
Due to the electric start combined with front-wheel drive. self-propel and 3-in-1 features, this model has the most features of all the reviewed models.
– Easiest to Use Mower
The electric start, self-propel and super-maneuverable front-wheel drive make this machine the easiest to start and operate of all the lawnmowers in this review.
Craftsman Mower Won’t Start – 5 Causes And Solution
If your Craftsman mower won’t start, it can be frustrating. Remember that you’re not alone. With so many Craftsman mowers sold, it’s a common problem for many owners. Before getting started, check to make sure the battery is charged and there is gas in the tank. If the mower still won’t start, there are ways to troubleshoot the issue and get back to cutting the lawn.
Whether you own a Craftsman mower or any other model, you’re not alone when it comes to issues starting the engine. It’s one of the most common issues experienced with lawnmowers, especially if you live in an area that experiences a lot of rain and humidity.
When your Craftsman mower won’t start, you have to identify the problem and figure out what is causing it. Is there a loose spark plug? Did you forget to prime the carburetor? Are you not getting fuel or oil to the proper locations? Once you know what the problem is, you can troubleshoot each source and attempt to correct the problem.
Luckily, there are a number of troubleshooting steps you can take to get your mower started again and avoid costly repairs by a professional.
Craftsman Mower Won’t Start – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis
When you’re having problems with your riding lawn mower, it can be confusing about what to do next. Actually, it’s really simple — all you need to do is check a few key elements to see if you can figure out the issue yourself and, if not, know where your machine broke down!
Make sure you don’t forget to check two crucial points to maintain your Craftsman lawn mower: gas levels, and stale gas. Gas renders the mower’s internal engine hollow, and its hard plastic shell has no way of absorbing the gas’s fumes. This is a recipe for a dangerous situation. But you can solve this problem easily by siphoning out old gas before filling up with fresh gas.
Be sure to check your gas valve. The gas valve halts the flow of gas to the carburetor, so it’s one of the most important parts to your mower. Make sure that when you’re not using your mower, the gas valve is turned off, or else you might run out of gas while you’re mowing.
Craftsman mowers are designed to give you a long life of good performance, but there’s one thing that can make them less reliable: a low oil level. Oil lubricates the engine, keeps it cool and clean, and prevents hard particles from entering the cylinder walls. By regularly checking the oil, you can protect your engine against issues before they even arise.
If your Craftsman mower engine seems to be running too slowly, try checking the battery. If it’s cranking over normally and you still notice that the engine is turning too slowly, the problem may be that the battery will need to be replaced.
The plug wire on a Craftsman mower can become disconnected from the spark plug. Check this by looking at the front of the engine to make sure that it is seated securely.
Clean your Craftsman mower air filter every 25 hours of use. If it’s blocked, you’ll have a hard time starting your mower.
The model of your mower should come with a lockout or safety sensors, which are designed to prevent the engine from starting unless specific steps are followed.
It’s pretty straightforward, but a manual choke should be set to full when starting up a cold engine. The choke serves to regulate air intake and allow the engine to start on the first try. It can also be used in situations when you want the engine to idle higher or lower than normal — for example, to warm up the engine in colder environments or run at a high idle when you’re mowing down thick grass.
Replace the Mower Filter
In order to start your mower, the engine needs a constant supply of air; this is why you have an air filter. The filter protects the engine from small dust particles and debris that might otherwise clog it, but it can’t do its job when it’s broken. So if the air filter on your mower is damaged or missing, the engine could be compromised the next time you go to start it.
To prevent this, you should replace your paper filters every 300 hours of operation, or clean or replace your foam filters when they become dirty.
To remove the filter, you must first be sure that your lawnmower is either off or in park. To tell whether it’s on or off, simply check the position of the engine — if it’s off, there will be a lack of noise and movement, while if it is on, both the engine and blade will produce sounds.
The cleaning process depends on the size of your mower, but the general rule is to avoid getting gas on yourself. First, turn off the engine and set the parking brake — on riding mowers, this is a lever that you can pull up with your foot. Then, turn off the fuse or unplug the spark plug wire from its plug. With both riding and walking mower, you should now be able to lift out the filter.
You can buy replacement paper filters for a Craftsman mower
Tighten or Replace the Spark Plug
Whether your Craftsman mower is running rough or not starting at all, there’s a good chance the issue is with the spark plug. Spark plugs are responsible for creating sparks that ignite the fuel used by engines. When they’re dirty or faulty, they can cause your mower to be difficult to start or cause it to overheat and stall.
When the spark plug builds up residue from poor maintenance or not being cleaned, it can cause your machine to malfunction. If it’s loosened, not connected, or coated in water or carbon residue, your mower could be experiencing issues that you might not be able to detect through visual inspection.
The spark plug is usually located near the front of the mower and can be identified by its black, cylindrical shape. Use a socket wrench to unscrew and detach the spark plug from the engine.
Craftsman mower engines need a few things to run correctly, such as oil, air filters and spark plugs. The spark plug is responsible for igniting the fuel mixture in the cylinder; therefore, it’s an essential component to the engine. Ignition problems can be corrected or prevented by changing or inspecting the spark plug.
By inspecting the spark plug, you will be able to prevent the mower from running poorly and save money on repair fees.
ook at the Craftsman mower spark plug to see if it’s damaged or worn out. If there are cracks in the porcelain insulator, if the electrodes are gone or carbon deposits have built up on them, replace the spark plug immediately. You can test the spark plug with a tester to see if it’s working properly — when you crank up the mower, you should observe a strong spark between the tester’s terminals.
If there is no spark from the Craftsman mower spark plug, it has to be replaced. Perhaps the plug is defective and not providing the necessary charge to make a spark, or the gap between electrodes is too wide. At any rate, the old spark plug needs to be removed and a new one installed.
Craftsman M110 Won’t Start
Each year the spark plug should be replaced because it burns out after so much use. This usually happens due to frequent starting and stopping or poor fuel quality. A worn-out or damaged spark plug can cause your lawnmower to not run efficiently, which would hinder any lawn maintenance task.
If a Craftsman M110 mower has been used in conditions that are too wet, too dry or otherwise extreme, the spark plug can get ruined — causing the engine to run poorly and negatively impacting the performance of the machine. To keep your mower running in prime condition, always inspect the spark plug before every use.
If you’re experiencing a problem with your Craftsman M110 mower, check the spark plug. First, remove the plug from the socket, then use a tester to ensure that it’s working properly. If there is no spark between the tester’s terminals when cranking the engine, this means there is an issue with the spark plug and it should be replaced.
Craftsman M230 Won’t Start
The most common reason is due to dirty gas, or old gas from storage. As a result, it’s important to drain and replace the gas every fall. This prevents build-up that can cause damage to your engine down the road. It’s best to clean the carburetor entirely — you’ll find an assortment of cleaners and parts at your local hardware store.
The Craftsman push mower uses a four-stroke engine, which means that there are four distinct strokes that occur during one complete cycle of engine operation.
The first stroke is the intake stroke, where the piston moves downward, drawing in a mixture of fuel and air.
The second stroke is the compression stroke, where the piston moves upward, compressing the mixture of fuel and air.
The third stroke is the power stroke, where the piston moves downward, igniting the mixture of fuel and air and causing the engine to produce power.
The fourth and final stroke is the exhaust stroke, where the piston moves upward, expelling the exhaust gases from the engine.
If the Craftsman push mower will not start, it is likely due to one of these four strokes not occurring.
If the Craftsman push mower won’t start, the first thing to check is the gas tank. Make sure it is full and that the gas is fresh. Next, check the air filter and spark plug. If they are dirty, clean or replace them. Finally, check the blade. If it is damaged or dull, sharpen or replace it.
Craftsman 140cc Lawn Mower Won’t Start
There are a number of reasons why your Craftsman 140cc lawn mower may not start. The most common reasons are a dirty air filter, a dirty spark plug, or old gas. Other possible causes include a faulty kill switch, a defective ignition coil, or a clogged fuel line.
There are several reasons why your Craftsman lawn mower won’t start. The most common reason is that the spark plug is dirty or faulty. If the spark plug is dirty, it won’t be able to create a spark to ignite the gasoline.
You can clean the spark plug with a wire brush. If the spark plug is faulty, you will need to replace it. Another common reason for a lawn mower not starting is that the air filter is dirty.
The air filter prevents dirt and debris from getting into the engine. If the air filter is dirty, it will restrict the airflow to the engine and prevent it from starting. You can clean the air filter with a vacuum cleaner or replace it if it is damaged.
Hi there! I’m Sam Hendricks, and I’m a repair technician and expert. I created this website to help people like you save money and time by fixing your own appliances.
Over the years, I’ve seen people spend a lot of money on unnecessary repairs or replacements. That’s why I decided to share my expertise and create easy-to-follow guides for fixing appliances on your own.
Question: Craftsman Riding Lawn Tractor Won”t Start?
Nothing happens when I turn the key. It will start when I run a jumper cable from the battery to the starter. I replaced the solenoid, but it is still not starting. I have no idea what to do or check?
Answers
Check under the seat for a safety switch, it may be stuck open or closed.
Question: Craftsman Mower Won’t Start?
Why will my Craftsman lawn tractor not start with a new battery, new spark plugs, new gas, gas filter, oil filter, and new oil?
Answers
This happened to mine while under warranty (last year). Repairman came, raised my seat there was a little fuse or something he pulled it out replaced it. told me to get on crank it.
Either a poorly connected battery ground if you get nothing or varnish in the carburetor if it tries but won’t turn over. It never hurts to add C-foam to the gas. Let it sit 24 hrs then try again.
Question: Craftsman Riding Mower Won’t Start?
I have a Crafstman riding mower. I haven’t used it for about nine months. Unfortunately before winter came nothing was done to “winterize” it.
Now I can’t get it to start. Should I change the oil? Empty the gas and refill it? As you can tell I’m not a “handyman”!
Answers
Change ALL the fluids, clean the battery terminals, and change the spark plugs as well. AutoZone and other auto supply stores sell a ‘gap’ tool that will assist you in adjusting the spark plug gaps.
I’m a woman who had to learn these things (the hard way, oh well, now I do know:). As the need arose pre-Internet days to get my mower running after a hard winter, I found a Reader’s Digest ‘how to’ book at the library and learned from it. You can do the same. I would never have thought myself mechanically minded or able until I left a John Deere lawn mower under a tarp in my back garden over a harsh winter, now I can work on just about any mower or other small engine machine!
Question: Riding Lawnmower Won’t Start?
I have a 15.5 HP Craftsman riding mower. It has a new battery, solenoid, starter, wiring harness, fuse, and clutch and seat switches. And it still will not turn over. What else is there to replace? The motor turns over when I jump the starter.
Answers
I had a similar problem with my riding mower, would not turn over but would make a click when the ignition was turned to on. I replaced the battery, spark plug, solenoid, magneto coil, ignition switch checked harness for shorts and checked switches at the brake and lever to raise/ lower the blades and both were working as should be.
I even changed the gas and oil and nothing. I finally stumbled on the answer to my problem when I was holding the switch that depresses when the blades are raised in my hand and manually pressed it and the damn think fired up like nothing was wrong. Despite everything being ok, the switch was not positioned correctly to recognize the blades being up and was therefore not firing up when I turned the key. In other words if you know everything is working then try adjusting the position of your switches.
Question: Craftsman Mower Won’t Start?
I have an older Craftsman mower with the 19.5 horse Briggs and Stratton motor that was given to me. The guy said all it needed was a drive belt because the original one broke while he was mowing and he didn’t know how to fix it. Well I put a new drive belt on and now the motor won’t start with the key, it doesn’t make any noises or even attempt to turn over.
The headlights will come on with the key, but that’s it. I tested the battery and it’s good, so I used a screw driver to bridge across the positive and negative side of the silenoid and the motor will turn over, but not start. What could be causing the ignition not to be able to turn over the motor?
Answers
I fixed it! Changed out my solenoid and it fired right up! but now when i put it in gear and let off the clutch it boggs down and dies, it also does the same thing when I try to disengage the blades and let off the clutch, but it runs great with the clutch pushed in, I even idled it up all the way and popped the clutch and the mower only moved like a foot then started bogging down and died again. I have no clue what could be causing this.
Things You Will Need
Mark O’Brien started his professional writing career in 2000 at the “Newman Grove Reporter” newspaper. He was an English tutor while in school and earned an Associate of Arts in English from Northeast Community College. O’Brien indulges his mechanical side by fixing mowers part-time.