[macbugs]

I have a Craftsman lawn mower 917.270752. I added a volt meter to the tractor last year to go along with the amp meter that came on the tractor. Everything was going fine for the past year.

Yesterday I was mowing and noticed that the voltmeter was reading 16-17 volts - it usually reads around 14 volts. I noticed that when I increased the throttle the volt meter read around 16-17, at idle it was lower.

I went to start the mower today - no start. I poked around and found the fuse was blown - replaced the fuse and it started right up. I did not leave it on or check the voltage. What could have caused this. I didn't want to try to use it because fuses are supposed to blow for a reason, right?

Thanks!

 

[Bill Kapaun]

According to the schematic, that engine is equipped with a Voltage regulator.

It sounds like the regulator has died, but make sure all the connections (including ground) are intact.

 

[macbugs]

That is the direction I was going. I started the mower up today before I went to work and the volt meter read 14V constant a couple of minutes after let it idle. The ampmeter was at around 0. I did find some burnt wiring going to the headlights so I disconnected the headlights before I started it. I found my shop manual so I'll check out the voltage regulator and look for shorts as well. Thanks!

 

[Bill Kapaun]

14 VDC is about right

 

[macbugs]

I mowed for about an hour this evening and it stayed at 14V. I'm thinking there's a short in the headlight wiring. Thank you for your help!