How to Remove a Starter on a Craftsman 10 HP Mower

The 10-HP engine on the Craftsman 30-inch riding mower mounts to the back of the lawnmower. This makes the process for removing a defective starter different than removing the starter from a traditional front-mounted engine. The starter engages the flywheel mounted inside the engine when you turn the ignition key. When the motor in the starter burns up, you must replace the starter with a new or rebuilt unit. You can purchase a replacement starter from a Craftsman service center to make the task of locating the starter on the engine easier and ensure that you're buying the proper starter for your lawnmower.

Screwdriver
Wrench set

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the two screws on the left side of the rear panel on the mower, and remove them with a screwdriver.
- 2
  Loosen the large bolts with a wrench that secure the front of the side panels to the mower chassis.
- 3
  Slide the side and back panel backward as a single unit, and then lift the panels off the mower.
- 4
  Loosen the battery terminal clamps on the negative and positive terminals of the battery, and then pull the clamps off the terminals. Lift the battery out of the battery tray, and set it off to the side.
- 5
  Remove the bolts that secure the battery tray to the mower chassis, and then pull the battery tray off the chassis.
- 6
  Locate the starter under the battery tray. Use the replacement starter as a visual reference. If you do not have the replacement starter, look for the cylindrical component bolted to the engine block. The component has a large wire bolted to the end of it.
- 7
  Loosen the nut on the end of the starter with a wrench, and then pull the wire off the starter.
- 8
  Unplug the small wire harness connected to the starter relay. The relay bolts to the starter and comes off the motor as a single unit with the starter.
- 9
  Remove the bolts that secure the starter to the engine block, and then pull the starter up and out of the mower chassis.

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