Craftsman rider won't turn over....

[mowerjunkie]

I just got a Craftsman model 971.272140 and when I bought it needed a battery. Got the battery and it would not turn over, made sure the clutch was all the way down and I was on the seat. So then I jumped it over past the solenoid and it turned over but wouldn't start. When I was turning over past the solenoid if I pushed the seat down it would stop turning over. I contacted the previous owner who told me it was because there is water in the engine, and that they had this problem before and took it to a shop? I checked the oil....again and it shows no sign of water in it, I checked the 15amp fuse in the motor area and it is good. It's been to raining out to do trouble shooting with my meter but would like any help and ideas of what maybe the problem of why it will not turn over. Thanks in advanced and hope I am able to help others on this site.

 

[jc56]

Did you check the safety switch on the pto??You said you checked the clutch...did you jump across that switch???Was that mower in a flood or something????jc

 

[mowerjunkie]

This mower does not have a PTO, but thanks anyways. will check to see if it is fully engaging any switch. I jumped it on the solenoid, like you would a car.

 

[Carscw]

This mower does not have a PTO, but thanks anyways. will check to see if it is fully engaging any switch. I jumped it on the solenoid, like you would a car.

When you jumped the solenoid did you make sure you had the key on? They like to call the blade engage lever a pto.

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[mowerjunkie]

Yes I had the key in the on position. It's been snowing and cold here so I haven't messed with it lately. When it get's nice out again I'm going to clean all the electrical conections and if it does not turn over I'm going to jump it over again and have a spark plug pulled to see if it has spark. Does anyone know how to by pass the seat safety switch, or how to check it, I have a meter also. Thanks

 

[reynoldston]

Yes I had the key in the on position. It's been snowing and cold here so I haven't messed with it lately. When it get's nice out again I'm going to clean all the electrical conections and if it does not turn over I'm going to jump it over again and have a spark plug pulled to see if it has spark. Does anyone know how to by pass the seat safety switch, or how to check it, I have a meter also. Thanks

I would say to by pass the seat safety switch just unplug it. You have to remember the negative circuit turns off the mower.

 

[packkelley]

I just got a Craftsman model 971.272140 and when I bought it needed a battery. Got the battery and it would not turn over, made sure the clutch was all the way down and I was on the seat. So then I jumped it over past the solenoid and it turned over but wouldn't start. When I was turning over past the solenoid if I pushed the seat down it would stop turning over. I contacted the previous owner who told me it was because there is water in the engine, and that they had this problem before and took it to a shop? I checked the oil....again and it shows no sign of water in it, I checked the 15amp fuse in the motor area and it is good. It's been to raining out to do trouble shooting with my meter but would like any help and ideas of what maybe the problem of why it will not turn over. Thanks in advanced and hope I am able to help others on this site.

Take the spark plug out and turn it over might be leaking gas by carburetor float making to much pressure for motor to turn