I cannot get my Craftsman 14.5 OHC IC Gold 42 inch, model #917.270514, lawnmower to start. The battery is fully charged and the key turns, but nothing happens. There is no click or anything when I turn the key. All the wires appear to be connected with no breaks in the lines. What can be wrong and how can I fix it?

Tom Arn, May 2008

model #917.270514 dies when blades are engaged ?

ben, March 2012

Are you pressing in on the clutch/brake before you start it? If not, it won't crank.

paul, May 2008

Assuming you are sat on the mower, out of gear, blade clutch out, brake full on, and still nothing, then you have either a faulty safety interlock switch (likely), a dead solenoid (possible but unlikely), or a faulty key switch (very unlikely but possible).

You will need to check if battery voltage appears at the small solenoid terminal when the key is turned to START. If it does, the solenoid is faulty. If not, check if battery voltage appears on the START terminal of the ignition switch when turned to START (access may be a problem, but it is possible). If not, key switch is faulty. If it does, then you have an interlock problem. Replace or bypass.

phil_saunders@bigfoot.com

Phil Saunders, May 2008