PowerSmart PSS24HP Troubleshooting

If you are having problems with your PowerSmart PSS24HP Snow Blower, you are not alone. Many PowerSmart PSS24HP owners experience issues with their snow blower from time to time, and it can be frustrating to deal with these problems.

I have problems with my PowerSmart PSS24HP

PowerSmart PSS24HP Snow Blower Problems

The PowerSmart PSS24HP Engine Fails to Start (Engine cranks over)

Cause Solution
  • Spark plug wire disconnected
  • Connect a wire to spark plug
  • Faulty spark plug
  • Clean, adjust the gap, or replace the spark plug.
  • Engine flooded with fuel
  • Discontinue choke or primer use, and clean or replace the sparkplug.
  • Safety key not inserted in engine ignition
  • Insert the key fully into the switch
  • Choke not in START position
  • Move the choke to START position, after the engine starts slowly move to the RUN position as engine speed and operation stabilize at the set rpm. If the engine still does not start move to half choke and crank the engine.
  • Fuel incorrect, old, or stale, will not ignite
  • Empty and clean the fuel tank & carburetor, and refill with fresh gasoline. (Note: Fuel may become stale after 30 days in some cases)
  • Blocked or clogged fuel system or line
  • Clean fuel system or line
  • Extension cord is not properly attached to the electric starter terminal
  • Re-insert the extension cord into the electric starter terminal.

The PowerSmart PSS24HP Engine electric starter will not crank engine

Cause Solution
  • No power from power supply, tripped breaker
  •  Check power supply extension cord is attached to.
  • Extension cord wire gauge is too small, or cord is too long
  • Use proper rated and length extension cord
  • CHOKE in ON or partial ON position
  • Move CHOKE lever to RUN

The PowerSmart PSS24HP Engine runs erratic, stalls or seems low on power

Cause Solution
  • Fuel incorrect, old, or stale
  • Empty and clean the fuel tank & carburetor, and refill with fresh gasoline. (Note: Fuel may become stale after 30 days in some cases)
  • Blocked or clogged fuel system or line
  • Clean fuel system or line.
  • The carburetor is in need of cleaning
  • Clean fuel systemand carburetor
  • Spark plug wire loose
  • Connect and tighten spark plugwire
  • Faulty spark plug
  • Clean, adjust gap, or replace spark plug, see Engine Operator’s manual
  • Engine oil over filled
  • Drain oil to proper level. Oil should not be above the top2 threads of LOWER fill plug.
  • Engine oil level low or empty
  • Add oil

The PowerSmart PSS24HP has no forward or reverse drive movement when the drive handle engaged

Cause Solution
  • Drive belt lose or damaged
  • Check the drive belt tension pulley for damage or incorrect tension, and repair as necessary. Replace drivebelt.
  • The friction drive wheel is worn or damaged
  • Replace the friction drive wheel
  • Friction drive wheel wet or slipping
  • Allow the snow blower to dry and or warm up or adjust drive cable tension as necessary
  • Wheel to axle pins broken or missing.
  • Replace pins attaching wheels to axle

The PowerSmart PSS24HP drive speed control is stuck in gear or won’t change gears

Cause Solution
  • The speed control lever is loose or damaged, not moving the speed control cables
  • Check the drive belt tension pulley for damage or incorrect tension, and repair as necessary. Replace drivebelt.
  • Speed control cables loose, damaged, or binding
  •  Repair, adjust or replace as necessary

The PowerSmart PSS24HP drive speed control allows only 1 direction

Cause Solution
  • Speed control cables misadjusted, loose, damaged, or binding
  • Check the speed control lever and cables for damage or loose or missing parts. Repair or replace parts as needed. Adjust drive speed control cables, see DriveSpeed Control Cables Adjustment

The PowerSmart PSS24HP drive engaged when drive control handle released

Cause Solution
  • Drive control cable binding, won’t release
  • Repair, replace cable as necessary
  • Friction drive wheel return spring broke or missing
  • Replace spring, adjust cable as necessary

The PowerSmart PSS24HP auger not rotating when auger control handle engaged or not blowing snow or poor snow blowing performance

Cause Solution
  • Chute assembly clogged
  • Clean chute and inside of auger housing with clean-out tool
  • Auger shear pins broken
  • Replace shear pins. Check each auger blade shear pin
  • Foreign object in auger or impeller causing auger to stop without shearing pins
  • Remove object from auger or impeller areas
  • Auger belt loose, slipping, worn or damaged
  • Replace auger belt
  • Auger belt tension cable loose, damaged or binding
  • Repair, adjust or replace as necessary
  • Auger blade(s) damaged or bent
  • Replace auger blade(s)
  • Auger gearbox mechanical damage, auger drive system not rotating freely (binding)
  • Check bearings, bushings and all system parts fordamage or mechanical binding. Repair or replace asnecessary using proper lubrication
  • Impeller damaged
  • Replace impeller
  • Impeller not connected to impeller shaft, impeller or shear pins broken
  • Replace shear pins or impeller as necessary
  • Forward speed too fast while blowing snow, overload
  • Allow engine to maintain its speed.

The PowerSmart PSS24HP auger belt broken, or repeated failure

Cause Solution
  • Auger tension pulley arm return spring broken or missing
  • Replace tension arm return spring
  • Auger tension pulley arm stuck or binding
  • Repair or replace tension arm as necessary
  • Auger tension pulley arm or pulley misaligned or damaged
  • Repair, replace or align tension arm and or pulley asnecessary
  • Foreign material on pulleys and belt, oil, grease, dirt etc
  • Clean belt and pulleys as necessary, replace belt ifnecessary
  • Auger pulleys misaligned, loose, damaged, or bent
  • Replace or align pulleys as necessary
  • Incorrect or damaged auger belt
  • Replace with correct size and type belt
  • Auger belt guide pin not adjusted
  • Adjust belt guide pin to within 1/8 to 3/16 in. frompulley. (Guide pin keeps belt in pulley whendisengaged)

The PowerSmart PSS24HP auger rotating when auger control handle released

Cause Solution
  • Auger tension pulley arm return spring broken or missing
  • Replace tension arm return spring

PowerSmart PSS24HP Replacement Parts

Troubleshooting a PowerSmart PSS24HP Snow Blower

Share your PowerSmart PSS24HP Snow Blower Problems, issues , tips, ideas, and frustrations with other owners.

  1. Snow blower won’t go in reverse after I took handle off to transport it in car I took handle off and bolt to adjustment on bottom of it and now won’t go in reverse

    Reply

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