Brand: CRAFTSMAN
Category: Lawn Mower
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Manual for T1200 - Troubleshooting and error codes + PDF Download
Uploaded: April 8, 2025, 1:44 p.m.
Manual Publish Date: 2015-03-09
Warranty Summary
The Craftsman T1200 has a 2-year limited warranty on non-expendable parts and a battery warranty for 90 days from the date of purchase.
Basic Operation Summary:
- Starting: Engage parking brake, disengage blade, ensure shift lever is in neutral, turn ignition key to start.
- Driving: Release parking brake, select forward or reverse with shift lever, use auto-drive pedal to control speed.
- Mowing: Move throttle to FAST, engage blade with PTO lever, adjust cutting height with deck lift lever.
- Stopping: Disengage blade, depress brake pedal, set parking brake, turn ignition key to stop.
Always refer to the manual for complete safety and operating instructions.
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. |