ENGINE WILL NOT START OR HARD TO START

Push brake pedal down or LOCK park brake.

Connect spark plug wires.

Replace spark plugs.

Allow travel pedal to return to NEUTRAL position.

Sit on operator's seat.

Fill fuel tank.

Drain fuel tank and fill with correct fuel.

Drain and fill engine crankcase with correct oil.

Have John Deere dealer check carburetor fuel shutoff solenoid valve.

ENGINE RUNS ROUGH

Replace fuel filter.

Drain fuel tank and fill with correct fuel.

Drain fuel system:

· Flush dirt.

· Add fresh fuel.

Replace air cleaner elements.

Check electrical connections.

Replace spark plugs.

Check for binding choke cable.

Adjust carburetor.

1.

2.

ENGINE LACKS POWER

Reduce load.

Replace air cleaner elements.

Replace fuel filter.

Drain fuel tank and fill with correct fuel.

To help prevent overheating:

Clean radiator screen and cooling fins.

Replace spark plugs.

LOW OIL LIGHT COMES ON

Add oil.

Change oil filter.

Drain engine oil from crankcase and fill with correct oil.

ENGINE OVERHEATS

Clean radiator screen and cooling fins.

Add oil.

Do not operate at SLOW idle: Operate engine at MAXIMUM speed.

Clean air intake screen.

Replace air cleaner elements.

ENGINE KNOCKS

Drain fuel tank. Fill tank with fresh, correct octane fuel.

Reduce load.

Run engine at MAXIMUM speed.

3.

4.

ENGINE BACKFIRES

Replace spark plugs.

ENGINE WILL NOT SLOW IDLE

Check spark plug gap.

Replace spark plugs.

ENGINE VAPOR LOCKS

Replace fuel filter.

STARTER DOES NOT WORK OR WILL NOT CRANK ENGINE

Make sure park brake lock knob is in UNLOCK position when park brake is unlocked.

Push brake pedal down or LOCK park brake.

Put PTO lever in DISENGAGED position.

Clean battery terminals and cable ends.

Check for blown fuse.

Check electrical connections.

ONE CIRCUIT DOES NOT WORK

Check for blown fuse.

BATTERY WILL NOT CHARGE-YELLOW LIGHT COMES ON

Replace battery if cell is dead.

Run engine faster. Operate engine at MAXIMUM speed.

Check electrical connections.

Have your John Deere dealer check alternator.

Check battery electrolyte level.

FRONT MOWER VIBRATES TOO MUCH

Replace mower drive belt if it is damaged.

FRONT MOWER MOVES WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND TRAVEL PEDALS IN NEUTRAL

Have your John Deere dealer adjust pedal linkage.

FRONT MOWER WILL NOT MOVE WITH ENGINE RUNNING

Run engine several minutes to warm transmission oil.

UNLOCK park brake.

Add transmission oil.

Change transmission oil and filter.

DISCHARGE CHUTE PLUGS

Wait for grass to dry.

Raise cutting height and cut grass twice.

Mow at FAST idle.

Slow down.

PATCHES OF GRASS NOT CUT

Slow down.

Run engine at MAXIMUM speed.

Clean sheaves and belt.

Sharpen mower blades.

BELT SLIPPING

Clean sheaves and belt.

Replace belt if it is badly worn.

MOWER VIBRATES TOO MUCH

Clean sheaves and belt.

Replace belt if it is damaged.

Remove and balance blades.

Check sheaves for damage.

CUT IS UNEVEN

Check mower level.

Slow down.

Sharpen blades.

Check tire pressure.

MOWER SLOWS DOWN ENGINE

Run engine at MAXIMUM speed.

Slow down.

Remove debris wrapped around spindles.

Sharpen mower blades.

BLADES SCALPING GRASS

Raise cutting height.

Slow down on turns.

Change mowing pattern to avoid ridges.

Check tire pressure.

Check for bent blade.