ENGINE WILL NOT START

Fuel level.

Fuel shut-off valve closed.

Park brake must be engaged.

Hydrostatic foot control in Neutral position.

PTO switch must be OFF.

Fuel is dirty.

Fuel filter plugged.

Spark plug wires loose.

Battery is low.

Battery cables are loose or corroded.

ENGINE HARD TO START

Fuel is dirty.

Bad spark plug or improper spark plug gap.

Electrical connections dirty.

Air lock in fuel line. Disconnect fuel line from fuel filter. Fuel should flow.

ENGINE MISSES UNDER LOAD

Bad spark plug or improper spark plug gap.

Fuel is dirty.

Air filter is dirty.

Fuel filter plugged or dirty.

ENGINE OVERHEATS

Air filter is dirty or plugged.

Coolant level low.

Radiator screen/cooling fins plugged or dirty.

Engine oil is low.

Engine speed - operate at MAXIMUM speed not SLOW idle.

ENGINE WILL NOT SLOW IDLE

Fuel and/or fuel filter is dirty.

Bad spark plug or improper spark plug gap.

Plugged fuel line.

Valves not seating correctly - adjust valves. (See TM1533 or your John Deere distributor.)

ENGINE BACKFIRES

Bad spark plug or improper spark plug gap.

Valves not seating correctly - adjust valves. (See TM1533 or your John Deere distributor.)

ENGINE VAPOR LOCKS

Fuel filter is plugged or dirty.

ENGINE RUNS UNEVENLY

Fuel and/or fuel filter is dirty.

Plugged fuel line.

Electrical connections dirty or corroded.

Governor failed. (See TM1533 or your John Deere distributor.)

Engine overheated-clean radiator and screens.

ENGINE LOSES POWER

Fuel and/or fuel filter is dirty.

Bad spark plug or improper spark plug gap.

Air filter is dirty or plugged.

Too much engine oil - drain oil to correct level.

Engine overheated-clean radiator and screens

Engine overload - reduce load.

ENGINE KNOCKS

Stale or low octane fuel - change to a good grade of fuel.

Engine overload - reduce load.

Loose connecting rod. (See TM1533 or your John Deere distributor.)

Carbon in combustion chamber. (See TM1533 or your John Deere distributor.)

Low engine speed - raise engine RPM.

Low engine oil level.

Engine overheated-clean radiator and screens.

BATTERY WILL NOT TAKE A CHARGE

Dead cell in battery.

Loose or corroded connections.

Battery worn out.

Battery electrolyte level.

STARTER DOES NOT WORK

Loose or corroded connections.

Battery worn out, output is low.

Faulty starter.

STARTER CRANKS SLOWLY

Battery worn out, output is low.

Engine oil is too heavy.

Loose or corroded connections.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK

Blown fuse.

Loose or corroded connections.

Battery worn out, output is low.

BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING

Low engine speed.

Faulty voltage regulator.

Faulty battery.

Faulty alternator.

INDICATOR LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON IN "START" POSITION

Faulty indicator bulb.

Faulty wire or sensor.

HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILS TO FUNCTION

Oil level low.

Faulty relief valve.

Faulty pump or motor.

Clogged suction line.

SLOW REEL SPEED

Oil level low

Oil overheated

Wrong oil.

Worn pump or motor.

Worn or stuck relief valve.

Dirty relief valve.

Reels too tight against bed knife.

NOISY PUMP

Low oil level.

Wrong oil.

Air leaks.

OIL OVERHEATS

Low oil level.

High-pressure internal leak.

Dirty oil.

Wrong oil.

Parking brake engaged.

High ambient temperatures working under heavy loads. Need oil cooler.

FOAMING OIL

Low oil level.

Wrong oil.

Air leaks. Tighten fittings - check o-rings.

MACHINE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD

Low oil level.

Wrong oil.

Control linkage out of adjustment.

Low charge pressure.

Internal pump damage.

NOISY SYSTEM

Low oil level.

Air in system.

Oil filter plugged.

Internal pump or motor damage.

Parking brake engaged.

ACCELERATES SLOWLY

Low oil level.

Air in system.

Control linkage loose or out of adjustment.

Low charge pressure.

Parking brake engaged.

MACHINE MOVES WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND HYDROSTATIC CONTROL PEDALS IN NEUTRAL

Linkage out of adjustment.

PEDALS DO NOT RETURN TO NEUTRAL

Spring out of adjustment.

POOR CUTTING

Reel-to-bed knife out of adjustment.

Reel dull.

Ground speed too high. Engine speed too slow

Bed knife and/or reel grooved, ribbed, or rifled due to reel-to-bed knife adjustment too tight or running machine without grass in the reels.

CORRUGATED OR RIBBED APPEARANCE TO TURF

Ground speed too high or engine rpm too slow.

GRASS BUILDUP ON ROLLS

Scraper out of adjustment.

MOWERS WILL NOT RAISE/LOWER

Not enough oil in reservoir.

Transaxle pump does not rotate.

No output from pump.

Defective solenoid.

Control valve spool does not move.

REELS WILL NOT ROTATE

Reels too tight against bed knife.

Not enough oil in reservoir.

Hydraulic pump does not rotate.

No output from pump.

Broken or shorted wiring.

Defective solenoid.

Control valve spool does not move.

MOWER REELS SQUEAL

Operating reel without grass (juice lubricates reel and bed knife).

Reel-to-bed knife clearance is inadequate.

OIL LEAKS FROM CUTTING UNIT MOTOR

Motor seal leaks.

STEERING IS DIFFICULT

Improper tire inflation.

Hydraulic oil level low.

Steering cylinder lubrication