Craftsman M110 Not Starting: My Brutally Honest Fix

Craftsman M110 won’t start when you pull the cord? You’re not alone. I’ve run into this many times—usually after winter or missed upkeep. Most of the time, it’s something small: old fuel, a clogged carb, or a loose cable.

I’ve fixed mowers for years, and simple steps can bring them back to life. Let me show you how to get it running fast—without the stress.

Know What Kind of No-Start You Have

Crank-No-Start vs. No-Crank

When your Craftsman M110 won’t start, first check what type of problem it is. There are two main types:

• Crank-no-start: You pull the cord, and the engine spins or sputters—but it won’t run.
• No-crank: You pull the cord, and nothing happens. It feels stuck or makes no sound.

One time, I kept checking the spark plug. After 30 minutes, I found the blade was stuck. It was jammed under the deck. Knowing the type of no-start helps you fix it faster. It points to fuel, spark, air, or a stuck part.

Try These Quick Fixes First

Before going deep, rule out the basics. These simple checks have saved me many times. They take just minutes.

Is the Safety Bar Squeezed Tight?

Your mower has a safety bar, also called a bail lever. You must squeeze it fully before pulling the cord. If you don’t, it won’t start.

I’ve made this mistake more than once. I kept pulling, thinking it was broken—when I just wasn’t holding the bar tight enough.

Check that the cable moves when you squeeze. This fix takes two seconds and works more often than you’d think.

Is the Gas Still Fresh?

Old gas is bad news for mowers. If the fuel is more than a month old, it can gum up the carb.

Here’s what I do:

• Buy only what I’ll use in 30 days.
• Add fuel stabilizer before winter.
• Run the mower for a few minutes after adding it.

One spring, mine wouldn’t start at all. I drained the tank, filled it with fresh gas, and it fired right up.

Did You Prime the Engine?

Most Craftsman M110s have a small primer bulb. Press it 2–3 times before you pull the cord. This pushes gas into the carb to help it start.

If the engine is warm, you might not need to prime. But for cold starts, skipping this step can wear out your arm fast.

Fixing a Craftsman M110 That Cranks But Won’t Start

If your mower cranks but won’t run, you’ve passed the quick tests. Now it’s time to dig into fuel, spark, and airflow. This is where I usually find the real issue.

Check the Spark Plug

The spark plug is always my first deep check. It’s easy to reach and shows a lot.

How to check it:

• Pull off the spark plug boot.
• Use a socket wrench to unscrew it.
• Wipe away dirt first—don’t let grime drop into the engine.

What to look for:

• Black and dry? That’s carbon buildup. Likely burning rich.
• Wet? Could be flooded.
• White or damaged? Might be overheating or the wrong type.

When to change it: I replace mine every spring. Most Craftsman M110s use a Champion RJ19LM or J19LM, but always check your manual.

Test for Spark

Even a clean plug won’t work without spark. I’ve wasted time on this before.

Easy test:

• Reconnect the spark wire.
• Hold the plug against bare metal on the engine.
• Pull the cord and watch for a blue spark.

Check for Fuel Trouble

Bad gas can clog the carb. If the engine tries to run but dies, this is often the cause.

Signs of a dirty carb:

• Starts with starter spray, then quits
• Runs rough or surges
• Gas smells sour or thick

Quick clean method:

• Shut off the fuel valve (or clamp the line)
• Remove the air filter and carb bowl
• Spray carb cleaner in every hole and jet
• Let it dry, then reassemble

When to spray vs. soak:

• Spray if it sat a few weeks
• Full clean (soak and scrub) if it sat all winter

My neighbor once left gas in his mower all winter. It wouldn’t run until we cleaned the carb. Then it ran like new.

Check the Air Filter

Your engine needs clean air. If the filter is clogged, it won’t start—no matter how much you pull.

Steps:

• Open the air filter cover
• Foam filter? Wash with warm, soapy water. Rinse, dry, and oil it lightly.
• Paper filter? Tap it on a hard surface. If dirty or torn, replace it.
  

I always keep a spare foam filter in the garage. They’re cheap and easy to swap.

Flywheel Key: A Hidden Problem

Did your mower backfire or stop after hitting something? A broken flywheel key might be the cause. It throws off the timing.

What happened to me: I hit a sprinkler head once. The mower had fuel and spark—but wouldn’t run. The flywheel key had snapped.

How to check it:

• Take off the engine cover
• Loosen the flywheel nut
• Use a puller or two screwdrivers to lift it
• Look at the key. If it’s broken or bent, replace it
• Drop in a new key (they cost less than $2)

A sheared key is easy to miss. But once it’s fixed, the engine often starts like new.

Read More: Husqvarna Lawn Mower Not Starting?

When the Engine Won’t Crank at All

If your Craftsman M110 won’t crank—meaning the cord won’t pull or feels stuck—it’s likely a mechanical issue, not fuel or spark. I’ve seen this a few times, and the fix is often easier than you’d think.

Is the Blade Stuck?

This is the first thing I check. The blade spins with the engine. If it’s jammed, the engine can’t move.

How to check safely:

• Unplug the spark plug wire first.
• Tilt the mower back—handle down.
• Look under the deck for anything wrapped around the blade.

Things that get stuck:

• Wet grass packed tight
• Sticks or branches
• Garden hose or string

One summer, I found a dog toy wrapped around the blade. Once I cleared it, the mower started on the first pull.

Safety Cable Problems

The safety bar links to a cable. This tells the engine it’s okay to run. If the cable is broken or too loose, the mower won’t crank at all.

What to check:

• Squeeze the bar. Watch if the cable moves near the engine.
• If it feels loose or doesn’t spring back, that’s likely the issue.

Fixes that work:

• Adjust the cable using the nut near the handle.
• If it’s broken, replace it. You can find one for under $20 at places like Lowe’s or Home Depot.

I had to swap mine after a wet winter. The cable rusted and snapped. A 15-minute fix brought the mower back to life.

Electric Start Not Working?

Some Craftsman M110 mowers have an electric start. If you press the button and nothing happens, check the battery and wires.

Steps to try:

• Make sure the battery is charged. Try jump-starting it.
• Check the button and wires. A loose wire can stop the starter.
• Look for a fuse. Some models have one, and if it’s blown, the starter won’t work.

I helped a neighbor with this last spring. His mower wouldn’t start. The battery looked fine, but the terminals were corroded. A quick brush fix solved it.

Still Not Starting? Check Engine Compression

If you’ve tried fuel, spark, air, and even the flywheel key—but the Craftsman M110 still won’t run—it might be low compression.

Signs of Low Compression

Compression is the pressure the engine builds to ignite fuel. If it’s too low, your mower won’t fire.

When I suspect it:

• The engine spins fast but never tries to start.
• I’ve confirmed spark, fuel, and air are all there.
• Starter spray makes no difference.

I had one mower that cranked strong and sparked fine. I replaced everything—still no start. Compression test? Problem found.

How to Test It

You’ll need a compression tester (about $20–$30 online or at U.S. auto stores).

Steps:

1. Remove the spark plug.
2. Thread the tester into the plug hole.
3. Pull the cord 3–5 times.
4. Read the gauge.

What the numbers mean:

• 90+ PSI: That’s good.
• 60–80 PSI: Too low to start.
• 0 PSI or close: May mean a bad valve or head gasket.

Final Checks and When to Get Help

Still no luck? Don’t worry—I’ve been there too. Let’s wrap things up.

Final Checklist

• Fuel: Is it fresh? Carb clean?
• Spark: Plug firing?
• Air: Filter clean?
• Timing: Flywheel key OK?
• Compression: 90+ PSI?

If all that checks out and it still won’t go, the issue may be deep inside the engine.

When to Call a Pro

Here’s when I stop and call for help:

• Engine may have a cracked piston or bad valve.
• Compression stays low, even after adding oil.
• I’ve swapped parts and costs are adding up.

In the U.S., repair shops often charge $50–$100 to check it all. Just call ahead to see if they work on Craftsman models. Some shops only handle newer engines.

If your mower is 8–10 years old and needs a full rebuild, a replacement might be smarter. Spring sales at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Tractor Supply are great times to buy.

My Easy Maintenance Routine to Keep It Starting

I’ve learned that a little care goes a long way. Regular upkeep keeps my Craftsman M110 starting with just one pull. It doesn’t take much time—and it saves a lot of stress.

My Spring Start-Up Checklist

Each spring, I do these five things before mowing season starts:

• Change the oil. Old oil gets thick. Fresh oil helps the engine run smooth.
• Swap the spark plug. I put in a new one every year. It’s cheap and worth it.
• Clean or change the air filter. Paper filters clog fast. Foam ones can be washed and reused.
• Sharpen the blade. A sharp blade cuts clean and doesn’t tear the grass.
• Check the cable. I look for rust or wear. If needed, I spray some lube.

Fall Steps for Winter Storage

When mowing season ends, I get the mower ready for storage:

• Drain or treat the fuel. U.S. gas with ethanol breaks down fast. I either empty the tank or add fuel stabilizer and run it a few minutes.
• Clean under the deck. Caked grass holds water and causes rust. I scrape it off with a putty knife and brush.
• Unhook the battery. For electric-start models, I remove the battery and store it indoors.
• Store inside if you can. I keep mine in a dry shed, off the ground on a wood board.

I’ve done this for years. My mower now starts smooth—even after long storage.

Conclusion: Don’t Toss It Yet—You Can Fix It

If your Craftsman M110 won’t start, don’t give up. Most of the time, it’s a small fix you can do yourself.

I’ve been in your shoes—pulling the cord over and over, not knowing why. But I’ve solved every type of no-start issue you can think of.

Fuel, spark, air, timing, compression—you now know how to check them all.

Still stuck? Leave a comment with what your mower’s doing. I’m happy to help.

You’ve got this. Most of these fixes take just a few tools and a little time. And your mower probably still has years left in it.

FAQs: Craftsman M110 Not Starting