Short or other?

[McFish1951]

my model 917.28990 wouldn't start last night. Charged the battery, checked the freewheel lever, depressed brake, checked blade engagement. All no go's. Looked for loose wiring; but I don't know what I'm looking at. One wire seemed loose; I think it went to headlights. I pushed the connector into a hole in the frame; voila, it works!! But while I'm mowing, it stops. The first wire has bounced off frame, and the return wire seems loose also. Is it that simple?

 

[Rivets]

Can you take a picture of that wire? May need to resize the picture, as most phones produce a photo too large to attach. Sounds like it is a ground wire which must be attached to the frame.

 

[McFish1951]

Facing forward from seat, blue wires are disconnected from either the frame or whatever they were connected to. Previously, 1 side was attached, one was loose. When I tucked the loose side into a hole in the frame, it started up. Once I stopped, it would not start again. It seems the second wire became disconnected as well.

 

[Rivets]

I’m thinking that your loose wire is a ground wire. Though not your unit this is a typical wiring diagram for Craftsman units https://www.searspartsdirect.com/mo...500-917287220-front-engine-lawn-tractor-parts

 

[McFish1951]

Thanks for your help.