Troubleshooting

Using Troubleshooting Chart

If you are experiencing a problem that is not listed in this chart, see your authorized dealer for service.

When you have checked all the possible causes listed and you are still experiencing the problem, see your authorized dealer.

Engine


If	Check
Engine Will Not Start Or Is Hard To Start	Check diagnostic light. Motion control levers not in the “neutral lock” position. Park brake lever not in the proper position. Operator not on seat. Key switch not in proper position. PTO engaged. Stale or improper fuel / fuel level Plugged fuel filter. Plugged air intake filter. Blown fuse. Electrical problem - dead battery. Fuel system on water or air.
Engine Runs Rough or Stalls	Plugged fuel filter. Plugged air intake system. Fuel cap vent dirty. Stale or improper fuel / fuel level. Dirty or faulty fuel injectors.
Engine Knocks	Engine oil level low. Reduce load. (Slower ground speed.) Fuel is bad. Fill tank with fresh fuel, correct octane. Idle speed too slow. Water in fuel system Clogged air filter
Engine Overheats	Clean grille, radiator screen or radiator cooling fins. Low oil level. Do not operate at slow idle. Operate at fast idle. Plugged air intake filter. Operating at too fast ground speed for conditions. Defective thermostat, water temperature indicator or sender.
Engine Lacks Power	Reduce load. Plugged air intake system. Plugged fuel filter. Improper type of fuel. Drain tank and fill with correct fuel. Clean cooling fins to help prevent overheating.
Engine Uses Too Much Oil	Find and correct oil leaks. Incorrect engine oil. Plugged oil filter. Plugged air intake filter.
Low Oil Pressure	Engine oil level low. Plugged oil filter. Improper type of oil. Oil leaks.
Engine Emits White Smoke	Improper type of fuel. Low engine temperature.
Engine Emits Black Or Gray Exhaust Smoke	Improper type of fuel. Plugged air intake system. Operating at too fast ground speed for conditions.
High Fuel Consumption	Improper type of fuel. Plugged air intake system. Operating at too fast ground speed for conditions. Restricted air intake system. Plugged crankcase vent tube or baffle.

Electrical System


If	Check
Battery Will Not Charge	Loose or corroded connections. Defective battery. Dead cell in battery. Loose or defective alternator belt. Defective alternator.
Starter Will Not Work	Check diagnostic light. Blown fuse. Loose or corroded battery or ground connections. Neutral start switches faulty or not adjusted properly. See your John Deere Dealer. Key switch or starter faulty. See your John Deere Dealer. PTO engaged. Motion control levers and park brake lever not in proper position. Operator not on seat.
PTO Switch Does Not Work	Poor connection between harness and clutch. Blown fuse Bad switch.
Starter Turns Slowly	Loose or corroded battery or ground connections. Low battery power - charge battery. Engine oil viscosity too heavy.

Machine


If	Check
Excessive Machine Vibration	Engine speed too slow.
Machine Will Not Move With Engine Running	Transmission oil level low. Transmission oil cold - allow engine to warm. Free-wheeling pump release valves engaged. Transmission problems. See your John Deere Dealer.
Machine Creeps With Engine Running and Motion Control Levers in a Neutral Position	Needs control linkage adjustment. Needs transmission neutral adjustment.

Brakes


If	Check
Brakes Not Working Correctly	Brakes out of adjustment- adjust linkage. Wet brakes. Worn brakes.

Steering


If	Check
Steering Not Working	Free-wheeling pump release valves partially engaged. Needs control linkage adjustment. Improper tire Inflation. Hydrostatic transmission oil low.

Mower Deck


If	Check
Discharge Chute Plugged	Grass is wet - mow grass only when dry. Raise cutting height. Mow at full fast throttle. Ground speed too fast for conditions. Correct installation of deck drive belt.
Mower Deck Vibrates	Run engine at fast throttle. Loose hardware. Check/replace deck drive belt. Blade bolts are loose. Blades are bent or worn. Sharpen and balance blades. 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. Deck belt tension spring not installed or broken. PTO switch failure. Fuse is blown. Loose electrical connections.
Mower Mows Unevenly	Mower deck not properly leveled. Ground speed too fast for conditions. Run engine at fast throttle. Reduce ground speed when making turns. Sharpen or replace blades. Change mowing pattern. Check air pressure in all traction unit tires.

Diagnostic Real-Time Codes

NOTE: For further assistance with all Diagnostic Codes, refer to the Technical Manual and/or consult your John Deere dealer.


Electrical System “Interlock” Violations
Real-Time Diagnostic Trouble Code Description	Diagnostic Code	Notes	Action Required to Remove Code:
Brake Not Engaged	1 - 2	This code can occur under the following conditions: 1. When the engine is trying to be started without the brake engaged. 2. When the engine is idling and operator gets out of seat without the brake engaged.	• Engage the brake.
PTO/Mow Engaged	1 - 3	This code can occur under the following conditions: 1. When the engine is trying to be started with the PTO engaged. NOTE: The engine and PTO will be disabled if the following occurs: 2. When leaving the operator seat with the machine running and the PTO engaged.	NOTE: For Safety, the PTO can not be engaged with the park brake locked or with the operator out of the seat. • Turn key switch to the OFF position.
Neutral Violation	2 - 1	This code can occur under the following conditions: 1. Motion control levers are not in the NEUTRAL position during an attempted start. NOTE: The engine will be disabled if the following occurs: 2. The park brake is applied with the motion control levers out of the neutral position. The engine will stop.	Return the key to the OFF or RUN position.
Crank Time Exceeded (20 second limit)	2 - 4	This code will let the operator know the maximum cranking time of 20 seconds been exceeded and the starter has been disabled.	Return the key to the OFF or RUN position.
Starter Thermal Protect Mode, 60-second Cool-Down Needed	2 - 5	This code indicates that an accumulation of 60 seconds of cranking time has occurred and the control module has started a 60-second cool-down period to prevent the starter from overheating.	Turn the key switch to the OFF position and let the starter cool down for at least 60 seconds before making another attempt to start the engine.
Over Temperature, Engine or Hydraulic System	2 - 6	This code indicates engine coolant or hydraulic oil has exceeded high temperature limits.	Turn the key switch to the OFF position and let the machine cool down before further operation.


Electrical System 'Fault' Violations
NOTE: For All “Fault” codes it is important to first check battery, starter, and ground connections. • Codes and instructions as follows.
Electrical System Diagnostic Trouble Code Description	Diagnostic Code	Notes	Action Required to Remove Code:
Over Voltage	3 - 1	This code indicates that the electronic control module has detected a voltage higher than normal in the electrical charging system.	• Inspect the electrical harness for loose connections, specifically the battery positive and negative, starter, and frame ground (on engine block).
Low Voltage	3 - 2	This code will let the operator know that the battery is being depleted.	• Check charging system connections.

Diagnostic Test Mode Codes (With Machine OFF)

The diagnostic test mode is used to check the integrity of the switches, sensors, wiring, and hardware of the control module. Diagnostic information is generated in the control module and displayed through a flashing code on the diagnostic indicator light.

Before entering the Diagnostic Test Mode, place all switches and controls in the following positions:

• Key switch - RUN

• PTO switch - OFF

• Park brake - DISENGAGED

• Operator seat - NOT OCCUPIED

• Motion control levers - NEUTRAL

• Deck lift switch - RELEASED

• PTO STOP thumb switch - DEPRESSED

Enter the diagnostic test mode by quickly cycling the key switch from OFF to RUN three times. On the third cycle leave the key in the RUN mode.

NOTE: Do not rotate the key past RUN to START mode during these three cycles.

In the test mode, the control module will not permit engine and PTO operation. The control module will automatically exit the test mode if no activity occurs for ten minutes.

Upon entering the Diagnostic Test Mode, the control module will perform an automatic diagnostic check. If there are no problems detected, the display will flash a 1-1 Code.

If a problem is detected, the display will flash one or more codes to indicate which circuit is affected. See the chart below for instructions on how to remove the fault codes detected and achieve a 1-1 code display.


Diagnostic Test Mode Code	Fault Code Description	Action Needed to Remove Unwanted Codes:
3 - 1	Battery Voltage High	Inspect electrical harness for loose connections, specifically the battery positive and negative, the starter, and frame ground (on engine block).
3 - 2	Battery Voltage Low	• Check battery, starter, and ground connections. • Check charging system connections.
1 - 2	Key Switch in START Position	Place key switch in RUN position.
1 - 3	PTO Switch ON	Turn PTO switch OFF.
1 - 4	Brake Switch ON	Release brake.
1 - 5	Seat Switch DEPRESSED	De-activate seat switch (operator not in seat).
1 - 6	Motion Levers Not in NEUTRAL	Place both levers in NEUTRAL position.
1 - 8	Deck Lift Switch ON	Release the left lever arm button (black) switch.
1 - 9	PTO Stop Switch RELEASED	Depress the right lever arm button (yellow) switch.
2 - 2	Over Temp Switch ON	See the Technical Manual or your John Deere Dealer for additional information.
1 - 1	All is Well	See the chart below for addition diagnostic instructions.

Once the 1-1 Code has been achieved, the following steps should be performed (in any order) to verify the electrical function of each individual switch in the control module system.

• Release the PTO STOP yellow button on the right lever arm. The 1-9 code should flash. Depress the PTO STOP button.

• Turn the key switch to the START position. The 1-2 Code should flash. Return to RUN position.

• Pull the knob to activate the PTO switch. The 1-3 code should flash. Return PTO to OFF position.

• Depress the brake pedal. The 1-4 code should flash. Release the pedal.

• Sit on seat to activate the seat switch. The 1-5 code should flash. Get out of the seat.

• Individually move each motion control lever from the neutral position. The 1-6 code should flash for each lever. Place both levers in the NEUTRAL position.

• Push the black button on the left lever arm to activate the deck lift switch. The 1-8 Code should flash. Release the deck lift button.

If any of the Diagnostic Test Mode Codes are not displayed in the steps listed above, inspect the applicable wiring harness connections and switch, or contact your John Deere Dealer for further assistance or part replacement.