Poor Engine Performance

Fuel

· Dirt in fuel system or fuel is old. Replace fuel with fresh stabilized fuel. Obtain fuel from another supplier before suspecting machine problems. Suppliers blend fuels differently and changing suppliers will generally solve any performance problems.

· Fuel blended with alcohol or ether may contribute to performance problems by causing gum and varnish deposits, especially if fuel is stored for several weeks or more. Obtain fresh fuel.

Break-in:

· Improper or incomplete break-in. Repeat break-in following proper procedures, or extend break-in time five hours before suspecting machine problems.

Engine Will Not Start

Brake pedal not down.

PTO switch in on position.

Fuse blown.

Spark plug wire loose or disconnected.

Spark plug not gapped correctly.

Fuel filter gummed or plugged.

Stale fuel.

Engine Is Hard To Start

Fuel filter gummed or plugged.

Carburetor dirty or out of adjustment. See a John Deere dealer.

Spark plug fouled.

Faulty spark plug or wire.

Spark plug is not gapped correctly.

Loose or corroded electrical connections.

Stale fuel.

Choke adjusted incorrectly.

Engine oil viscosity not correct.

Engine Misses Under Load

Faulty spark plug.

Stale fuel.

Fuel filter gummed or plugged.

Engine Vapor Locks

Fuel tank vent plugged.

Dirt in fuel filter.

Cooling fins plugged.

Loose hose connection at fuel filter or fuel pump.

Engine Runs Unevenly (Surges)

Engine not broken-in.

Cooling fins plugged.

Loose electrical connections.

Choke or throttle cable sticking.

Plugged fuel line or fuel filter.

Stale, dirty or improper fuel.

Air cleaner element plugged.

Engine Overheats

Air cleaner element plugged.

Cooling fins plugged.

Engine air intake screen plugged.

Engine oil low or too high.

Engine operated too long at slow engine rpm.

Engine Will Not Idle

Spark plug not gapped correctly.

Faulty spark plug.

Engine Has Low Power or Compression

Engine not broken-in.

Engine overheating.

Too much oil in engine.

Dirty air cleaner.

Faulty spark plug.

Travel speed too fast for conditions.

Engine Knocks

Engine rpm too low.

Stale or low octane fuel.

Engine overloaded.

Engine oil level low.

Engine Stops or Misses When Operating On Hills

Fuel tank less than half full.

Operator raising off seat.

Engine Backfires

Faulty spark plug.

Black Exhaust Smoke

Air filter dirty or oil soaked.

Blue or White Exhaust Smoke

Engine not broken-in.

High Oil Consumption

Engine not broken-in.

Spark Plugs Foul

Engine not broken-in.

Fuel in Engine Oil

Engine not broken-in.

Machine Vibrates Too Much

Attachment drive belts worn or damaged.

Traction drive belt damaged or worn.

Dirt on drive sheaves.

Machine Will Not Move With Engine Running

Park brake locked.

Transmission oil level low.

Machine Moves With Engine Running And Foot Pedals In Neutral

Linkage out of adjustment.

Machine Rolls Or Freewheels On An Incline With Engine On Or Off And Pedals In Neutral

Normal situation. Always set parking brake.

Cruise Control Lever Creeps Or Requires High Effort To Move

Cruise control lever not adjusted properly.

Starter Does Not Work Or Will Not Turn Engine

Brake pedal not down.

PTO switch in on position.

Battery terminals corroded.

Battery dead or low charge.

Fusible link in starting circuit blown. See a John Deere dealer.

Battery Will Not Charge

Dead cell in battery.

Low engine speed or excessive idling.

Battery cables and terminals dirty.

Lights Do Not Operate

Light plug disconnected.

Loose or burned out bulb.

No power at GFCI receptacle

Engine not running.

Engine rpm too low.

Park brake not locked.

PTO switch in on position.

System on/off switch in off position.

System on/off switch not reset.

GFCI receptacle reset button not pushed.

System shut down due to electrical overload.

System malfunction. See a John Deere dealer.

GFCI receptacle reset button continually trips

Ground fault present.

GFCI receptacle malfunction. See a John Deere dealer.

GFCI receptacle test button fails to trip reset button

GFCI receptacle malfunction. See a John Deere dealer.

Discharge Chute Plugged

Travel speed too fast.

Grass too long.

Grass too wet.

Engine rpm not at wide open throttle.

Restricted air flow.

Belt installed incorrectly.

Patches Of Grass Uncut

Travel speed too fast.

Engine rpm not at wide open throttle.

Mower deck needs cleaning.

Dull or damaged mower blades.

Belt Slipping

Debris in sheaves.

Worn belt.

Too Much Vibration

Debris on mower deck or in sheaves.

Damaged drive belt.

Damaged sheaves or sheaves out of alignment.

Blades out of balance.

Blades Scalping Grass

Cutting too low.

Mower wheels not adjusted correctly.

Turning speed too fast.

Ridges in terrain.

Rough or uneven terrain.

Low tire pressure.

Mower Loads Down Machine

Engine rpm too low.

Travel speed too fast.

Debris wrapped around mower spindles.

Uneven Cut

Mower deck not leveled properly.

Travel speed too fast.

Blades dull.

Mower wheels not adjusted correctly.

Tire pressure unequal.

Uneven Clipping Distribution

Cutting height set too low.

Travel speed too fast.

Grass too wet.

Mower Deck Is Difficult To Lift

Lift assist spring not adjusted properly for deck size.

Grass Tips Are Jagged And Turn Grayish Brown After Mowing

Dull or damaged mower blades.

Mower deck not leveled properly.

Mower (Or Other Attachment) Stops When Reverse Foot Pedal Is Depressed And Attachment Is Engaged

Normal operation of Reverse Implement Option.