Troubleshooting


IF	CHECK
ENGINE WILL NOT START OR IS HARD TO START	Motion control levers not in the neutral lock position.
	Park brake lever not in the proper position.
	Operator on seat.
	Key switch not in proper position.
	PTO switch in the ON position.
	Fuel selector valve in the "OFF (CLOSED) position.
	Stale fuel / Improper fuel / fuel level.
	Plugged fuel filter.
	Plugged air intake filter.
	Spark plug wire is loose or disconnected.
	Spark plug not gapped correctly.
	Fuse is blown.
	Wrong engine oil viscosity.
	Electrical problem-dead battery.
	Choke adjusted incorrectly - See your John Deere Dealer.
ENGINE WILL NOT SLOW IDLE	Carburetion problems - See your John Deere Dealer.
ENGINE RUNS ROUGH	Fuel selector valve partially closed.
	Plugged fuel filter.
	Plugged air intake filter.
	Fuel cap vent dirty.
	Stale or improper fuel / fuel level.
	Spark plug not gapped correctly.
	Replace spark plug.
	Choke adjusted incorrectly - See your John Deere Dealer.
	Carburetion problems - See your John Deere Dealer.
ENGINE OVERHEATS	Clean cooling fins.
	Low oil level.
	Do not operate at SLOW (t) idle, Operate at FAST (r) idle.
	Cooling air, intake screen is dirty.
	Plugged carburetor air intake filter.
	Operating at too fast ground speed for conditions.
ENGINE KNOCKS	Fuel is bad. Fill tank with fresh fuel, correct octane.
	Reduce load. (slower ground speed)
	Operate engine at FAST idle.
ENGINE LACKS POWER	Reduce load.
	Plugged air intake filter.
	Plugged fuel filter.
	Fuel is bad. Drain and fill tank with correct fuel.
	Clean cooling fins to help prevent overheating.
	Spark plug.
ENGINE USES TOO MUCH OIL	Find and correct oil leaks.
	Incorrect engine oil.
	Plugged air intake filter.
ENGINE BACKFIRES THROUGH MUFFLER	Carburetion problems - See your John Deere Dealer.
ENGINE BACKFIRES THROUGH CARBURETOR	Carburetion problems - See your John Deere Dealer.

Traction Unit


IF	CHECK
EXCESSIVE VIBRATION	Run engine at FAST (r) throttle.
WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE WITH ENGINE RUNNING	Transmission oil level low.
	Pump drive belt slipping or broken.
	Park brake adjustment.
	Free-wheeling pump release valves engaged.
	Transmission problems - See your John Deere Dealer.
MACHINE CREEPS WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND CONTROL LEVERS IN A NEUTRAL POSITION	Transmission neutral adjustment.
	Park brake adjustment-brake pad worn-brake mounting hardware loose.

Electrical System


IF	CHECK
BATTERY WILL NOT TAKE A CHARGE	Clean or tighten battery connections.
	Electrolyte low.
	Dead cell.
PTO SWITCH DOES NOT WORK	Clean oil cooler fins.
	Fuse is blown.
	Bad switch.
STARTER WILL NOT WORK	Fuse is blown.
	Clean or tighten battery connections.
	Low battery output.
	Neutral start switch not adjusted correctly or defective.
	Key switch or starter faulty.
	Position of PTO knob.
	Position of motion control levers and park brake lever.
	Operator not on seat.
STARTER TURNS SLOWLY	Clean or tighten battery connections.
	Low battery output.
	Wrong engine oil.

Steering and Brakes


IF	CHECK
BRAKES NOT WORKING CORRECTLY	Park brake adjustment-adjust linkage.
	Worn brake shoes.
	Brake shoes wet.
STEERING NOT WORKING CORRECTLY	Free wheeling pump release valves partially engaged.
	Improper tire inflation.
	Hydrostatic transmission oil low.
	Linkage needs lubrication.

Mower Deck


IF	CHECK
DISCHARGE CHUTE PLUGGED	Grass is wet-mow grass only when dry.
	Raise cutting height.
	Mow at full FAST (r) throttle.
	Ground speed too fast for conditions.
	Correct installation of deck drive belt.
MOWER DECK VIBRATES	Run engine at FAST (r) throttle.
	Loose hardware.
	Check/replace deck drive belt.
	Blade bolts are loose.
	Blades-bent or worn.
	Blades-sharpen and balance.
	Remove belt shields and clean debris from sheaves.
	Check sheaves for proper alignment or damage. (See a John Deere dealer.)
MOWER BLADES DO NOT ENGAGE	Deck drive belt slipping or broken.
	Mule drive belt slipping or broken.
	Deck belt tension spring not installed or broken.
	PTO switch failure.
	Fuse is blown.
	Loose electrical connection.
MOWER MOWS UNEVENLY	Ground speed too fast for conditions.
	Run engine at FAST (r) throttle.
	Reduce ground speed when making turns.
	Sharpen or replace blades.
	Change mowing pattern.
	Check air pressure in all traction unit tires.