1990 Snapper RER troubleshooting electrical question

16 years ago

I bought a used one 3 days ago for $200. It's a B&S 12 hp 4 cycle with both electric and manual starters. It ran and mowed. The seller gave me the electrical troubleshooting guide he downloaded and used to get it going. He disabled 2 of the kill switches. He changed out the carburator for one from another engine rather (to save $) and suggested the engine might run better if I bought the rebuild kit for the original or bought a new carburator. He also gave me the numbers I would need (model/engine/etc.) to buy parts. He kindly loaded the RER into my truck.

My friend helped unload it and it still ran and mowed. He noticed it was dirty and dry. He cleaned it, upended it, got to work with the grease gun, and sharpened the blade.

Now he thinks he did something wrong because it won't start. Since then he's been troubleshooting and is certain it's electrical. After 2 days of trying his own methods, he's now following the same electrical guide the seller used and finally got it to pop (fire) but it still won't start.

Now he's adjusting the magnatron and just noticed that a screw-bolt is missing from the flywheel.

If anyone has any ideas, please let us know.

Thanks.

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Comments (7)

bill_kapaun
16 years ago
"He cleaned it, upended it, got to work with the grease gun, and sharpened the blade."

Upended to the point oil ran into the air cleaner, clogging it?
south40
Original Author
16 years ago
No, the oil is on the down side from the engine when upended. Have another idea?
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south40
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's the info the seller gave me. He wasn't the original owner; he said he was getting it running and selling it for a friend of his. He had to look up this info and he said I would need it to order parts.

Briggs and Stratton
Engine Model: 281707
Type: 016201 or maybe it reads 0162-01
Code: 88010931

Snapper Serial #: 83135266
Model: 3312X6S (that's the letter 'ess' at the end)
south40
Original Author
16 years ago
Here's the info the seller gave me. He wasn't the original owner; he said he was getting it running and selling it for a friend of his. He had to look up this info and he said I would need it to order parts.

Briggs and Stratton
Engine Model: 281707
Type: 016201 or maybe it reads 0162-01
Code: 88010931

Snapper Serial #: 83135266
Model: 3312X6S (that's the letter 'ess' at the end)
mownie
16 years ago
There is a "kill engine" wire that connects to the carburetor linkages. Killing the engine can usually be accomplished 2 ways on these machines. The ignition key switch can be turned off (which "grounds" the kill wire and stops spark current (engine dies), or you can move the throttle lever all the way to the slow or stop position. This also "grounds" the kill wire and stops spark current (engine dies). Locate this kill wire on the carb linkage and disconnect it temporarily. Try starting the engine with the wire unhooked. If it starts now, suspect the kill wiring to be shorting to ground against a part of the machine frame or the carb linkage. You can identify the kill wire that goes to the ignition key switch by tracing it from the attachment point on the engine to where it enters the frame tube. If you disconnect that wire only and the engine will run, you have either a shorted kill wire or a defective ignition switch (grounding kill wire all the time). But, if too many people have been "tinkering" around with the interlock switches & wiring, it could be more problematic to solve. If you DO get it running by taking the kill wire loose, you can ground the spark plug to the cylinder head with an insulated handle screw driver to kill the engine (until you find and fix the real problem).
mikie_gw
16 years ago
The shifter also has a switch to make sure its not in gear when you are starting it. I just disconnected mine because it was always needing fiddling with and finally gave up the ghost.
bill_kapaun
16 years ago
That appears to be a "pre-smog" carb with an adjustable main jet.
It's the "needle valve" on the very bottom of the carb.
GENTLY screw it all the way in and then back it out 1-1/2 turns and see what happens.

1990 Snapper RER troubleshooting electrical question

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1990 Snapper RER troubleshooting electrical question

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