Craftman just died in motion?

[blazerdeer]

While riding the mower this past weekend it just stopped running for no reason. No electrical, won't start, no headlights, nothing. Any tips, I checked all the wiring visually but I don't see any bad or worn spots. Yes, plenty of gas and oil is good. Thanks!!!!!!

[FDuce]

Check to see of the negative wire off the battery is still attached to the frame for ground. What you described just happened to my John Deere and the negative was the issue.

[captn]

Pull out the key and re-instert it with some force and wiggle it around. sounds like a switch mechanism is broken or not making contact.

[blazerdeer]

I checked both neg. and pos. both tight and clean . I will pull the key out and see. Thanks

[blazerdeer]

No progress with the key, is there a way to hot wire or bypass the key switch to troubleshoot?

[FDuce]

For it to just die on you while using it, something had to break, fall off, disconnect with the electrical system. Get out a multi-meter (volt meter) and start checking your electrical system. Start with the battery to be sure there is a charge and it is what it should be. Check the ignition switch and so on.

Don't mean to doubt that you checked everything, but did you check all 5 main connection points to the battery? The positive and negative where they connect to the actual battery, the positive where it connects to the starter, the negative which runs off the starter, and the negative ground point on the frame that connects the negative from the starter and the negative from the battery. With the lights not even working it seems to point to the main power supply.

[bug-guy]

i'd be lookiing for some of the safty switches maybe some debris is causing one to open and cause the machine to stop

[blazerdeer]

I did all 5 and all is tight. I thought it might have been the seat switch but with the blades off and the brake locked that does not seem to be it. I'll check with meter tonight. Thanks guys, do appreciate the help!!

[mngrassguy]

Disconnect the wires to the switch and connect together to bypass the switch. Put a battery charger on the battery and try to start. Battery my have gone bad.