Engine Will Not Crank

Forward/reverse pedals out of neutral position.

Mow/Transport lever not in transport position.

Park brake not engaged.

Backlapping valve engaged.

Loose or corroded battery connections.

Low battery output.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Starter faulty.

Blown fuse.

Melted fusible link.

Engine Hard To Start

Gas Model: Faulty spark plug.

Loose or corroded electrical connections.

Stale fuel.

Plugged filter.

Diesel Model: Air in system.

Engine Will Not Start

Diesel Model: Fuel shut-off valve closed.

No fuel.

Wrong fuel.

Plugged fuel filter.

Stale fuel.

Gas Model: Spark plug wires loose or disconnected.

Engine Misses Under Load

Gas Model: Faulty spark plug.

Stale fuel.

Diesel Model: Air in system.

Engine Runs Rough When Hot

Fuel tank vent plugged.

Dirty fuel filter.

Gas Model: Engine or carburetor not grounded well.

Gas Model: Debris in carburetor.

Gas Model: Coolant low in radiator.

Gas Model: Dirt and debris in radiator fins.

Engine Runs Unevenly

Loose electrical connections.

Choke or throttle cable sticking.

Diesel Model: Air in system.

Engine Will Not Idle

Spark plug not gapped correctly.

Faulty spark plug.

Loose throttle cable.

Improper idle speed adjustment.

Engine Backfires

Gas Model: Faulty spark plug.

Allow engine to cool prior to shutdown.

Engine Knocks

Stale or low octane fuel.

Engine overloaded.

Low engine speed.

Engine Loses Power

Engine overheating.

Too much oil in engine.

Dirty air cleaner.

High altitude operation.

Gas Model: Faulty spark plug.

Engine Overheats

Plugged oil cooler.

Air intake grille screen plugged.

Low coolant level.

Engine oil low.

Low Oil Pressure

Engine oil level low.

Plugged oil filter.

Faulty oil pump. (See your John Deere dealer)

Starter Does Not Work

Loose or corroded connections.

Low battery output.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Faulty starter.

Starter Cranks Slowly

Low battery output.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Engine oil too heavy.

Loose or corroded connections.

Entire Electrical System Does Not Work

Blown fuse.

Loose or corroded connections.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Dead Battery

Shorted starter solenoid.

Key switch not turned to "STOP" position.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Battery Light Goes On When Engine Is Running

Low engine speed.

Faulty voltage regulator.

Faulty battery.

Faulty alternator.

Grounded wire in circuit.

Indicator Lights Do Not Come On In "Start" Position

Faulty bulb.

Faulty wiring.

Faulty sensor.

Battery Will Not Take A Charge

Dead cell in battery.

Loose or corroded connections.

Sulfated or worn out battery.

Fluid level low.

Slow Reel Speed

Oil level low. (See Checking Hydraulic Oil Level in Service Transmission section).

Oil overheats.

Wrong oil.

Adjust reel speed on backlapping valve.

Reels too tight against bed knife.

Backlapping valve inlet screen clogged.

Dirty relief valve.

Worn or stuck relief valve.

Worn pump or motor(s).

Oil Overheats

Low oil level.

High ambient temperatures working under heavy loads.

Dull cutting reels.

Cutting reels adjusted with interference.

Park brake locked.

Wrong oil.

Dirty oil.

High-pressure internal leak.

Foaming Oil

Low oil level.

Wrong oil.

Water in oil.

Air leaks.

Noisy Pump

Low oil level.

Air leaks on suction side.

Hydraulic System Fails To Function

Low oil level.

Faulty relief valve.

Faulty pump or motor(s).

Clogged suction line.

Wrong oil.

Air leaks.

Machine Will Not Move Forward Or Backward

Low oil level.

Wrong Oil.

Control linkage out of adjustment.

Park brake not disengaged.

Forward/reverse cable broken.

Low charge pressure.

Internal pump damage.

Noisy System

Low oil level.

Air in system.

Oil filter plugged.

Internal pump or motor damage.

Park brake locked.

Cutting reels adjusted improperly.

Accelerates Slowly

Low oil level.

Control linkage loose or out of adjustment.

Air in system.

Low charge pressure.

Park brake locked.

Machine Moves With Engine Running And Hydrostatic Control Pedals In Neutral

Creep linkage out of adjustment.

Pedals Do Not Return To Neutral

Spring out of adjustment.

Poor Cut: Jagged Cut Quality or Browning

Bed knife to reel out of adjustment.

Reel dull.

Bed knife dull.

Poor Cut: Marcelling or Hop

Ground speed too high or engine rpm too slow (not at rated 3350 50 rpm).

Poor Cut: Streaked Appearance

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.

Backlap valve reel speed adjustment too slow

Grass Buildup On Rolls

Scraper out of adjustment.

Mowers Will Not Raise/lower

Failed hand switch.

Broken or shorted wiring.

Not enough oil in reservoir.

Defective solenoid.

Control valve spool does not move.

Pump does not rotate.

No output from pump.

Reels Will Not Rotate

Reels too tight against bed knife.

Mow/transport lever not engaged.

Mow/transport lever not engaged.

Cutting reels plugged.

Not enough oil in reservoir.

Hydraulic pump not rotating.

Broken or shorted wiring.

Defective solenoid.

Control valve spool does not move.

No output from pump.

Mower Reels Squeal

Operating reel without grass (Grass clippings lubricate cutting reel and bed knife).

Improper bed knife to reel adjustment.

Cutting Reels Operating In Reverse

Backlapping valve engaged.

Cutting reel motor hoses reversed.

Oil Leaks From Cutting Unit Motor

Motor seal leaks.

Loose fittings.