Brand: CRAFTSMAN
Category: Lawn Mower
Manual Type:
Language:
Manual for T100 SERIES - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download
Uploaded: April 8, 2025, 1:53 p.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2018
Warranty Summary
Warranty information is not provided in this manual excerpt.
Basic Operation Summary
- Starting the Engine: Ensure PTO is disengaged, parking brake is engaged, and throttle/choke lever is activated. Turn the key to START.
- Driving: Release parking brake, select speed and direction with speed control lever (Hydrostatic) or shift lever and drive pedal (CVT models).
- Engaging Blades: Move PTO lever to the engaged (ON) position.
- Setting Cutting Height: Use the deck lift lever to select desired height.
- Stopping: Disengage blades (PTO OFF), move speed control/shift lever to neutral, engage parking brake, turn key to STOP.
- Safety First: Always read safety instructions before operation. Keep bystanders away, especially children and pets. Mow on slopes with caution and never exceed 15 degrees.
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine fails to start | 1. PTO/Blade Engage lever engaged. 2. Parking brake not engaged. 3. Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. 4. Throttle/Choke control lever not in correct starting position. 5. Choke not activated 6. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. 7. Blocked fuel line. 8. Faulty spark plug(s). 9. Engine flooded. 10. Blown Fuse(s) |
1. Place lever in disengaged (OFF) position. 2. Engage parking brake. 3. Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s). 4. Place Throttle/Choke lever into the FAST position. 5. Move the Throttle/Choke lever into the Choke position. 6. Fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) gas. 7. Replace the fuel line and replace fuel filter. 8. Clean, adjust gap or replace plug(s). 9. Crank engine with throttle in FAST position. 10. Replace Fuse(s) See "Fuse" in Service and Maintenance section. |
| Engine runs erratically | 1. Unit running with CHOKE activated. 2. Spark plug wire(s) loose. 3. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 4. Vent in gas cap plugged. 5. Water or dirt in fuel system. 6. Dirty air cleaner. |
1. Deactivate the CHOKE. 2. Connect spark plug wire(s). 3. Replace the fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter. 4. Clear vent or replace cap if damaged. 5. Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh gasoline. 6. Replace air cleaner paper element or clean foam pre-cleaner, if equipped. |
| Engine overheats | 1. Engine oil level low. 2. Air flow restricted. |
1. Fill crankcase with proper amount and weight of oil. 2. Clean grass clippings and debris from around the engine's cooling fins and housing. |
| Engine hesitates at high RPM | 1. Spark plug gap too close. | 1. Remove spark plug and reset the gap. |
| Engine idles rough | 1. Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too wide. 2. Dirty air cleaner. |
1. Replace spark plug. Set plug gap. 2. Replace air cleaner element and/or clean pre-cleaner. |
| Excessive vibration | 1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. 2. Damaged or bent cutting blade. |
1. Tighten blade and spindle. 2. Replace blade. |
| Mower will not mulch grass | 1. Engine speed too low. 2. Wet grass. 3. Excessively high grass. 4. Dull blade. |
1. Place throttle in FAST (rabbit) position. 2. Do not mulch when grass is wet. 3. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath. 4. Sharpen or replace blade. |
| Uneven cut | 1. Deck not leveled properly. 2. Dull blade. 3. Uneven tire pressure. |
1. Perform side-to-side deck adjustment. 2. Sharpen or replace blade. 3. Check tire pressure in all four tires. |
Troubleshooting and error codes
| Problem | Cause | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Engine fails to start | 1. PTO/Blade Engage lever engaged. 2. Parking brake not engaged. 3. Spark plug wire(s) disconnected. 4. Throttle/Choke control lever not in correct starting position. 5. Choke not activated 6. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel. 7. Blocked fuel line. 8. Faulty spark plug(s). 9. Engine flooded. 10. Blown Fuse(s) |
1. Place lever in disengaged (OFF) position. 2. Engage parking brake. 3. Connect wire(s) to spark plug(s). 4. Place Throttle/Choke lever into the FAST position. 5. Move the Throttle/Choke lever into the Choke position. 6. Fill tank with clean, fresh (less than 30 days old) gas. 7. Replace the fuel line and replace fuel filter. 8. Clean, adjust gap or replace plug(s). 9. Crank engine with throttle in FAST position. 10. Replace Fuse(s) See "Fuse" in Service and Maintenance section. |
| Engine runs erratically | 1. Unit running with CHOKE activated. 2. Spark plug wire(s) loose. 3. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel. 4. Vent in gas cap plugged. 5. Water or dirt in fuel system. 6. Dirty air cleaner. |
1. Deactivate the CHOKE. 2. Connect spark plug wire(s). 3. Replace the fuel line; fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline and replace fuel filter. 4. Clear vent or replace cap if damaged. 5. Drain fuel tank. Refill with clean, fresh gasoline. 6. Replace air cleaner paper element or clean foam pre-cleaner, if equipped. |
| Engine overheats | 1. Engine oil level low. 2. Air flow restricted. |
1. Fill crankcase with proper amount and weight of oil. 2. Clean grass clippings and debris from around the engine's cooling fins and housing. |
| Engine hesitates at high RPM | 1. Spark plug gap too close. | 1. Remove spark plug and reset the gap. |
| Engine idles rough | 1. Spark plug fouled, faulty or gap too wide. 2. Dirty air cleaner. |
1. Replace spark plug. Set plug gap. 2. Replace air cleaner element and/or clean pre-cleaner. |
| Excessive vibration | 1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced. 2. Damaged or bent cutting blade. |
1. Tighten blade and spindle. 2. Replace blade. |
| Mower will not mulch grass | 1. Engine speed too low. 2. Wet grass. 3. Excessively high grass. 4. Dull blade. |
1. Place throttle in FAST (rabbit) position. 2. Do not mulch when grass is wet. 3. Mow once at a high cutting height, then mow again at desired height or make a narrower cutting swath. 4. Sharpen or replace blade. |
| Uneven cut | 1. Deck not leveled properly. 2. Dull blade. 3. Uneven tire pressure. |
1. Perform side-to-side deck adjustment. 2. Sharpen or replace blade. 3. Check tire pressure in all four tires. |