John Deere Lawn tractor

Sparticle · #1 01/06/10, 04:21 PM

When we turn the key, the engine just turns 1", makes a noise and that's it. We think the Battery is good but not sure. Could it be the starter?

Bearfootfarm · #2 01/06/10, 04:56 PM

Check the battery and starter electrical connections.

The battery can still be "good" but if the connections are too dirty, it's not being recharged, and cold weather makes things worse

Sparticle · #3 01/06/10, 05:39 PM

Hubby says he believes he's already done that and all connections look fine.

moocow · #4 01/06/10, 05:45 PM

Your battery sounds to be weak.

moocow · #5 01/06/10, 05:48 PM

if it making a fast tapping sound that is the starter selinoid (pardon spelling). It is tapping or klicking due to low voltage.

plowjockey · #6 01/06/10, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparticle

When we turn the key, the engine just turns 1", makes a noise and that's it. We think the Battery is good but not sure. Could it be the starter?

what model is it?

coonripper · #7 01/06/10, 11:22 PM

Yep sylenoid sounds like to me.

Blu3duk · #8 01/06/10, 11:56 PM

use jumper cables from your car, it it spins then you have a battery problem, if not then recheck the connections not just at the battery, but at the other end too.... before tearing into the unit!

I used to start my lawn tractor that way one season i was to cheap to buy a new battery for only a couple months, then buy another one the next year again.....

William
Idaho

William

Sparticle · #9 01/07/10, 01:16 PM

We've jumped it with the car. Nothing happened.

It only makes one sound, one click, not many clicks.

Solenoid?

Thanks everyone.

moocow · #10 01/07/10, 02:36 PM

If the battery is bad it can be taking all the charge if you dont have a new battery. Try unhooking the battery and jump direct to cables on mower. When it starts hook battery back up or you will short out the cables. I have done this personally. it only is a quick fix and a pain.

moocow · #11 01/07/10, 02:37 PM

If the battery is bad it can be taking all the charge. If you dont have a new battery. Try unhooking the battery and jump direct to cables on mower. When it starts hook battery back up or you will short out the cables. I have done this personally. it only is a quick fix and a pain.

plowjockey · #12 01/07/10, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparticle

We've jumped it with the car. Nothing happened.

It only makes one sound, one click, not many clicks.

Solenoid?

Thanks everyone.

The reason I asked about the model number, is that some older JD tractors, over time suffer a current drop, through the wiring, that won't give enough for the solenoid to engage. It was the case on my 318, but I have heard it on other JD models as well.

Jumpstarting won't even help. If this is the case, JD sells a "starter improvment kit", which is basically a relay and some extra wires.

I had the "one click" problem and this cured it 100%.

seagullplayer · #13 01/12/10, 02:05 PM

Use your jumper cables to jump directly to the starter to see if it will turn over.
(-) jumper cable to the battery to start with, (+) to the starter lead.
If it does turnover and you still feel the battery is OK, it is the starter soleniod. (But be sure and check the (+) battery connection over with a fine tooth comb first)

If that does not work, move the ground jumper cable to someplace on the engine, if that works you have a bad (-) connection/cable.

(Make sure the deck is shut off)

truckdriverx72 · #14 01/17/10, 06:08 PM

My 210 does the same thing- a sticky bendix on the starter!! A shot of WD-40 twice a year helps. Or, on occasion a long-handled regular bladed screwdriver to use as a pry bar, stuck between the block & bendix gear, just a small pry to make the bendix fully extend seems to work!!

Sparticle · #15 01/18/10, 05:55 PM

Very good. We will try these things. Thanks to everyone.

Windy in Kansas · #16 01/19/10, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparticle

Hubby says he believes he's already done that and all connections look fine.

I assume that the connections are fine rather than just looking fine. There is a big difference when hidden corrosion comes into play. Expect it is just the way you wrote it that has made me question that. If not actually checked then even jump starting could still bring issue because of poor connection.

Don't just check at the battery either, all of the way through the system, switch and all.

HermitJohn · #17 01/22/10, 06:13 AM

Corrosion does indeed hide. Every once in a while my Ranger wont start and terminals are clean. Its always hidden corrosion where negative cable bolts to engine. I need to buy one of those prickly washers that dig into both surfaces when tightened. Just doesnt happen often enough for me to think of it when I am in town.

Took me forever to find the problem first time it happened, as connections all "looked" good.... Now when it happens thats first place I check.