Craftsman Lawn Tractor 1996 starting issue

mwhitnell

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Sep 7, 2014
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Hi, I have a 1996 50" Craftsman with 23Hp Command Engine. I replaced the ignition switch, and rewired. I must have missed a wire somewhere in my new wiring. When I turn to start and starter engages, motor will not run. However, when I turn to start and release immediately the motor starts and runs. So I must have missed a wire connected to the ignition module that should be connected both while the switch is in start & run position. Here is the wiring diagram.Left Hand Side Front.jpgWiring diagram 1024.jpg
 

HughDaHand

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It might be a little easier to speculate if you told us what you rewired. Is that an electric fuel pump I see in that pic?
 

mwhitnell

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It might be a little easier to speculate if you told us what you rewired. Is that an electric fuel pump I see in that pic?
I rewired the ignition switch, PTO switch, and connected new wiring to all devices, such as clutch, ignition module, starter solenoid, hobbs meter, spark module...yes that is a elect fuel pump. The engine starts easy, just a couple of turns and release to run position and it goes great.
 

ILENGINE

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My suspicions is that you don't have 12 volts to the fuel solenoid while in the crank key position. Could of missed a wire or wouldn't be the first key switch that I have found failed.
 

Cusser

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It sounds like the "Run" circuit only gets power in your "Run" position and not the "Start" position, why you need to catch it perfectly to get it to start/run.

In cars and trucks, there are separate contacts in the electrical part of the ignition switch to "close"/complete the "Run" circuit in the Start and Run positions. I have a 1988 Mazda truck that did essentially same and would crank fine but have issues with its "Run" circuit until I replaced its electrical part of the ignition switch (back in 1995).
 
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