Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working: How to Fix It

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Updated in April 2025 | By John

Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

As a chainsaw owner, there’s nothing more frustrating than when your throttle stops working. This can be a major inconvenience, especially if you’re in the middle of a project. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can also damage your chainsaw if you try to use it without the throttle working properly.

The good news is that this is a relatively common problem, and it’s usually easy to fix. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and repair a craftsman chainsaw throttle that’s not working. I’ll also provide some tips on how to prevent this problem from happening in the future.

So if your craftsman chainsaw throttle is not working, don’t despair. Just follow these steps, and you’ll be back up and running in no time.

Why Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

There are a few reasons why a Craftsman chainsaw throttle might not be working.

The throttle cable is damaged or disconnected. This is the most common cause of a throttle problem. The throttle cable connects the throttle lever on the handle to the carburetor. If the cable is damaged or disconnected, the throttle will not be able to move the carburetor butterfly valve, which controls the flow of air to the engine.
The carburetor is dirty or clogged. A dirty or clogged carburetor can also cause the throttle to not work properly. The carburetor mixes fuel and air in the correct proportions for the engine. If the carburetor is dirty or clogged, the mixture will not be correct, and the engine will not be able to run at full power.
The carburetor is out of adjustment. The carburetor may also be out of adjustment, which can cause the throttle to not work properly. The carburetor is adjusted to provide the correct amount of fuel and air for the engine at different speeds. If the carburetor is out of adjustment, the engine will not be able to run at full power.
The engine is flooded. If the engine is flooded, the throttle will not be able to work properly. When an engine is flooded, too much fuel is in the cylinder. This prevents the engine from starting or running properly.
The engine is overheating. If the engine is overheating, the throttle will not be able to work properly. When an engine overheats, the valves can stick, which prevents the engine from running at full power.

If you are having trouble with your Craftsman chainsaw throttle, it is best to take it to a qualified technician for diagnosis and repair.

How to Troubleshoot: Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

Symptoms of a Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

There are a few different symptoms that you may experience if your Craftsman chainsaw throttle is not working properly. These include:

The chainsaw won’t start or run when you pull the throttle trigger.
The chainsaw starts but dies when you release the throttle trigger.
The chainsaw’s engine speed doesn’t increase when you pull the throttle trigger.
The chainsaw’s engine speed increases and decreases erratically when you pull the throttle trigger.

Causes of a Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

There are a number of different things that can cause a Craftsman chainsaw throttle to stop working. These include:

A dirty or damaged throttle cable.
A faulty throttle control lever.
A problem with the chainsaw’s governor.
A problem with the chainsaw’s carburetor.

How to Troubleshoot a Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

To troubleshoot a Craftsman chainsaw throttle that is not working, you will need to:

1. Check the throttle cable for damage or obstructions.
2. Check the throttle control lever for damage or wear.
3. Check the chainsaw’s governor for damage or wear.
4. Check the chainsaw’s carburetor for damage or blockages.

How to Fix a Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

Once you have identified the cause of your Craftsman chainsaw throttle not working, you can fix it by:

Replacing the throttle cable.
Replacing the throttle control lever.
Replacing the chainsaw’s governor.
Cleaning or rebuilding the chainsaw’s carburetor.

Preventing Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Problems

You can help prevent problems with your Craftsman chainsaw throttle by:

Keeping the throttle cable clean and lubricated.
Avoiding sharp bends or kinks in the throttle cable.
Inspecting the throttle control lever regularly for damage or wear.
Having your chainsaw’s governor and carburetor serviced regularly.

Conclusion

If your Craftsman chainsaw throttle is not working properly, you can troubleshoot and fix the problem by following the steps in this article. If you are unable to fix the problem yourself, you can take your chainsaw to a qualified service center for repairs.

FAQs: Craftsman Chainsaw Throttle Not Working

Why is my Craftsman chainsaw throttle not working?

There are a few possible reasons why your Craftsman chainsaw throttle may not be working. Here are some of the most common causes:

The throttle cable is damaged or disconnected. The throttle cable is responsible for sending the signal from the throttle grip to the carburetor. If the cable is damaged or disconnected, the carburetor will not receive the signal to increase the engine speed.
The carburetor is dirty or clogged. A dirty or clogged carburetor can prevent the engine from getting enough fuel, which can cause the throttle to stick or not work at all.
The fuel filter is clogged. A clogged fuel filter can restrict the flow of fuel to the carburetor, which can also cause the throttle to stick or not work at all.
The spark plug is fouled. A fouled spark plug can prevent the engine from firing, which can also cause the throttle to stick or not work at all.
The engine is out of adjustment. The engine may be out of adjustment if the carburetor is not properly tuned or if the valves are not adjusted correctly. This can cause the engine to run rough or stall, which can also cause the throttle to stick or not work at all.

How do I fix my Craftsman chainsaw throttle?

To fix your Craftsman chainsaw throttle, you will need to identify the cause of the problem and then take the appropriate steps to fix it. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check the throttle cable. Make sure that the throttle cable is properly connected to the carburetor and that it is not damaged or frayed. If the cable is damaged, you will need to replace it.
Clean the carburetor. If the carburetor is dirty or clogged, you will need to clean it. You can do this by removing the carburetor from the chainsaw and using a carburetor cleaner to clean the jets and passages.
Replace the fuel filter. If the fuel filter is clogged, you will need to replace it. You can find replacement fuel filters at most hardware stores.
Inspect the spark plug. If the spark plug is fouled, you will need to replace it. You can find replacement spark plugs at most auto parts stores.
Adjust the engine. If the engine is out of adjustment, you will need to adjust it. You can find instructions on how to adjust your chainsaw’s engine in the owner’s manual.

What are the safety precautions I should take when working on my chainsaw throttle?

When working on your chainsaw throttle, there are a few safety precautions you should take to avoid injury. Here are some tips:

Wear safety glasses. Safety glasses will protect your eyes from flying debris.
Use gloves. Gloves will protect your hands from cuts and abrasions.
Disconnect the spark plug. Disconnecting the spark plug will prevent the engine from starting accidentally.
Be careful not to touch the muffler or other hot parts. The muffler and other parts of the chainsaw can become very hot, so be careful not to touch them.
Work in a well-ventilated area. The exhaust from a chainsaw contains harmful fumes, so it is important to work in a well-ventilated area.

What should I do if my chainsaw throttle is still not working after I have tried to fix it?

If your chainsaw throttle is still not working after you have tried to fix it, you should take it to a qualified service technician. A service technician will be able to diagnose the problem and fix it properly.

How can I prevent my Craftsman chainsaw throttle from malfunctioning?

There are a few things you can do to prevent your Craftsman chainsaw throttle from malfunctioning. Here are some tips:

Keep the chainsaw clean and well-maintained. This will help to prevent dirt and debris from building up in the carburetor and other parts of the engine.
Use quality fuel and oil. Using quality fuel and oil will help to keep the engine running smoothly and prevent it from becoming clogged.
Store the chainsaw in a cool, dry place. Storing the chainsaw in a cool, dry place will help to prevent the engine from becoming damaged.
Inspect the chainsaw regularly. Inspecting the chainsaw regularly will help you to identify any problems before they become serious.

By following these tips, you can help to prevent your Craftsman chainsaw throttle from malfunctioning.

Next Post to Read: Craftsman Chainsaw Tightening Not Working

About The Author

I am John, and I am the creator of this website. I have been in the woodworking industry for about 5 years. I developed my passion for DIY projects around the house when I was in high school. I have discovered a new appreciation for those who have the experience to pass along their expertise. They know what works best and are able to help others. I am proud to be among them.

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