20 Most Recent Craftsman 17.5 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor - CA Model - Page 8 Questions & Answers

I believe that this is the wiring schematic your searcxhing for

You had a big shortn in wiring.

there is no adjustment drop deck all the way down spray all moving parts with wd40 mash clutch all the way down release quickly several times crank and try

most lawnmowers have one for the reverse and under the seat some have them on the brake pedal to start it if it breaks it wont start

model 917258862 mower was given to me. sat outside numerous years. I've managed to get it to start run and drive, but cant get blades to engage. don't know what the wires are for or do that go to some sort of pulley attached to the bottom of motor. can somebody help me pls ?

I couldn't find the manual for your tractor but I did fiind one for a 917255917 model it calls for a 71-25231 snow thrower. The 842 model you listed must not be complete number. There are several different models that start with 842. Does your tractor have the horizontal engine that has clutch on front, and drive pully on rear of engine? I used to have one like that and I had a sears blower on it. You'll need wheel weights and chains too.

dont know, but if you start at the positive battery terminal and just follow the wire, you will bump into one fairly quickly

Has to be your stater or magneto going bad or had rust on it...

It's not recommended but find the switch you want to bypass should have two wires going all the switch does is make a connection to send the power to start the mower or to keep the circuit going to keep mower running

most fuel filters don't fill all the way up in the first place..as your carb fills up it stops the gas flow..there is nothing wrong with this it is normal..

Either belt is not on right or one of the tension springs needs to be adjusted or it has come loose...

Sounds to me that you have a weak battery and is not putting out enough cranking amps..Takes more cranking amps during compression strokes to start than in down stroke...That is why you are able to start it in the down stroke less amps needed to turn motor over..

left to right, there is a nut on each side between the deck and floor where your feet sit. front to back is the drag links attached to the front of the deck. adjust left/right first, then front to back. make sure tires are aired up before you do it.

check your return spring on the deck. it goes from hole in bracket welded to deck to hole in moving lever that one of the deck pulleys is attached to. if spring is missing or broke, it will not dissengage or may dissengage slowly. If spring is there, the moving lever may have debris under it or may be bent. If spring is there, remove deck and try pushing the pully with the spring to see if it breaks free.

I have had this before. Most likely it is a broken or missing return spring which is pulling the pulley to stop position (this is part of what pulls against the engage lever when you pull it up to engage the deck). Also there might either be debris under the lever on the deck that the moving pulley is attached to or it could be bent. Remove the deck and check for the spring (if you have owners manual that will show exactly where it would be located. If you dont and cant find one, give me the model number from under the seat and I will see if I can find one). If the spring is there, try forcing that lever on the deck by hand to see if you can get it to release (keep yours and others fingers away as when it breaks free, the spring provides some good force.

Front of engine.

I just put a new one on mine. Your owner's manual has a diagram. Should be a diagram on the deck close to right rear wheel.

Three things need to be checked. The steering shaft for play, the pinion gear on the end of the steering shaft and your stationary gear at the bottom. Raise the hood, turn the wheel back and forth so you can see where the play is coming from.

You have the steering shaft the pinion gear on the end of the shaft and the stationary gear at the bottom on the frame. Either the gears are worn out or the steering shaft has too much play in it causing the gears to slip.