Craftsman Ride On Lawn Tractor Wont Start

[Tractorguy24]

Hello all,
I have a craftsman mower which had a bad ignition switch and would only start sometimes. The engine itself has no problem starting. Being really cheap, I disassembled the switch, marking the pieces to know which way they went in, and cleaned everything real well with some brake clean and scotchbrite. By the time I was done the marks were obviously gone. So I reassembled everything from memory but it wouldn't start and the hour meter display didnt turn on (which it did before). So I got a new switch from amazon but still no changes. Any ideas where I Might start looking? Battery is brand new

Thanks!!

 

[4get gto]

Is the new switch identical to the old one. There should have been letters or numbers on the back that shouldn't have came off with cleaner. Almost seems as though something got changed up. Or the switch may be a little different.

Maybe give us the model # of your mower to find a wiring schematic.

 

[jaxs]

Assuming you have it wired as it was before taking it apart,I'd start by looking at all the safty switches. Most machines have at lest 2,1 for seat and 1 for clutch/break. Most Craftsmans have a ground on starter solenoid,make sure it's making good contact.

 

[Tractorguy24]

Thanks for the replies guys! Its a Craftsman GS 6500. Im afraid that by putting the old switch back together I may have fried some of the electronics as the hour meter won't even come on

 

[Tractorguy24]

Is the new switch identical to the old one. There should have been letters or numbers on the back that shouldn't have came off with cleaner. Almost seems as though something got changed up. Or the switch may be a little different.

Maybe give us the model # of your mower to find a wiring schematic.

I took apart the switch completely and cleaned all the inside parts. I labeled them with marker but that came off with the cleaner and im thinking that I have put it back together incorrectly and maybe shorted out some of the electronics. Is there a fuse on this machine I could check? thanks!

 

[RandyT]

There should be most likely a 20 amp spade type fuse usual in the area of the battery. So if the battery is under the seat, you may need to pull the battery out to find it. Could also be located under the engine side of the dash usually on the right side if sitting on the seat.

 

[GLyford]

There may also be a fuse in an in-line holder near the engine. I have seen both the old round fuses and the newer "blade" type used, depending on the age of the tractor. In addition to the seat and the clutch pedal, there is usually a switch on the blade lever. Make sure it is all the way in the disengaged position.

Check for stupid stuff, for example, did you unhook the battery to install the switch, and forget to tighten it up again after? It is amazing how often silly stuff like that bites even experienced people who get in a hurry.

 

[4get gto]

Might be some good u-tube videos on this model..

 

[Alan W.]

I have a DGS 6500. Here is a schematic for it and a pic of where my fuse is located.

 

[Tractorguy24]

Thanks for posting that picture Alan! Helped me find the fuse. It was blown. I got a new fuse, turned the key, heard a click and a pop and the fuse went again. Any ideas where I might start looking? I really don't know that much about wiring and what might've gone bad

Thanks for the Help!