John Deere Mower Won't Start / Turn Over, Just Clicks, Whines Or No Noise - How To Diagnose & Repair

[@frankie7508]

It's always a pleasure to watch Martin as his thoroughness and excellent diagnosis abilities really show through his work. Another fine job!!! 👍👍👍

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that!!

[@goofe.washington953]

This channel should have way, way more subscribers. This is always good stuff.

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! Just keep working towards it best as I can

[@philliphall5198]

I agree it’s one of the very best at teaching, but I guess they know it all ??😊

[@philliphall5198]

I m here to learn and don’t need funny words or jokes eather 😊

[@IndRepair]

@@philliphall5198 Definitely a good thing because all you would be laughing at is how bad they were haha!

[@IndRepair]

@@philliphall5198 I wish I knew something every now and then! I love to learn I always appreciate input advise and criticism make people better

[@steveriggenbach90]

Great information. Fix one thing then you find others. Good you keep owner nformed.

[@IndRepair]

Definitely seems the case more often than not especially when people say "I want xyz done" You have to call and say "did you want it to run also or....?" Almost have to be a detective

[@richardzenzola652]

Thank you for doing these videos. I always learn something

[@IndRepair]

So glad to be in a position to help! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelfarris2556]

Man, that was a one-stop shop video. From electrical to a bad gas in the tank and carb bowl cleaner. Great one right here. Now, if a mouse jumped out, that would have been a plus.

[@IndRepair]

Yeah, I thought it was going to be the case but kind of crazy how much was just accumulated on top

[@sluggonotnancy6178]

LOL....This video is exactly how ALL my DIY "repair" jobs go. What starts out as a 15 minute, "easy fix", turns into multiple days, multiple systems, multiple parts, journey through "hell"! Very realistic video of how things really go....for ME. Good job.

[@IndRepair]

Haha! This is just life for me most days in the repair business but wouldn't trade this profession for another one any day. Sometimes it does get frustrating but finishing up a big repair is rewarding

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Great video, Martin! You showed the easiest and most logical method for determining the electrical no-start issue, then went on to follow through with the fuel system. I thought that the replacement pulse line you used wasn't sealing well at the top end because it was too short, causing the pump to not fully function. You soon dispelled that thought!

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that! It doesn't take much to give the pumps a pulse but I did end up putting on another pulse line just to make sure it didn't cause issues. I have seen ones like this completely broken but lined up with the hole or pushed down on the valve cover hole enough to still pump and run. Of course, under load they will not keep up because they are pumping much slower rate.

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Good troubleshooting. I have seen over the years the contact disc inside the solenoid sometimes gets burned out when the starter is seized , and they keep trying to start with full voltage. That pulse line on fuel pump must have been a ‘Bluetooth’ design, then looked like a 5th string on a banjo! 😅.

[@IndRepair]

That's a great point! I have seen that many times! Bluetooth pulse line, same aisle as the Bluetooth oil the other fellas were using in the next video

[@crisprtalk6963]

Martin, video suggestion... can you do an autopsy on the next bad starter? I enjoy learning why things break.

[@IndRepair]

I have thought about doing some of these I have dozens of blown engines/starters and clutches. Still have this one may do that at some point! It felt like the magnet was broken from trying to turn it

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair Maybe do two starters - one with bad brushes and one with dislodged magnets. These seem to be the most common occurrences, although the other culprit is probably the positive stud being screwed in and breaking it's connection inside. Of course the bendix on top has its own set of failures... ;-) The starter from this video had a locked bendix, so maybe three? OK, 4 - the stripped or worn bendix gear! LOL!

[@IndRepair]

@@Rein_Ciarfella Ha, it is hard to know where to stop isn't it? I have a list of videos I want to do but only really know what I am going to do when something comes in and I find it interesting. Got a few months of some slower times coming up even though this is when we get ready for the next season should have plenty of time to get into some of those on the list

[@marttrev4279]

Great job man.

[@IndRepair]

I appreciate that!

[@Big_Johns]

Nice job brother, your customer should be very pleased. 👍

[@IndRepair]

He was really happy and got it back yesterday just in time for a good couple days of leaf cleanup today before our cool down for the year starts tomorrow. I am definitely not ready!!

[@Big_Johns]

Same here bud, with the lack of rain our grass stopped growing, I cut mine 2 weeks ago probably for the last time this season.

[@motorcoachtech7615]

Hi John👋

[@Big_Johns]

Well howdy Spinner 🙂👋

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

I came across the same deteriorating fuel tank vent lines on the Snapper zero turn I'm currently working on. It was super annoying every time I inadvertently touched the line to have black all over my hands and forearms. The first thing I did before continuing to work on this machine was replace the entire line from both tanks. The replacement is specified to stand up to ultraviolet light, so I hope it works better!

[@IndRepair]

I do not worry too much about the fuel tank vents unless they are completely falling apart, seems the ones they use are normally horrible and almost all of them will get black on your hands if you touch them. Do you have a link for the line you purchased? I have been using regular fuel line and it is super pricey!

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Did you have any particular reason for removing the 6 screws holding the shroud versus loosening them enough to let the shroud lift up? Any time I come across a shroud that doesn't have cutouts like John Deere I get out the angle grinder and cutoff wheel to make the next time removal much quicker.

[@IndRepair]

I always seem to have a hard time getting the metal head guards and slots for air intake in the cover to line up during reinstallation so I just remove them completely

[@Gary-c3e]

Hey Martin, I have a JD L111 with a new battery, solenoid, relay and starter. There's good continuity between all components. When I turn the key, the solenoid clicks and the starter tries to engage but can't turn the flywheel. There's 12.5v going to the solenoid but only 8v going to the starter's positive connection. Please advise;)

[@IndRepair]

Does it turn over ok with the spark plugs out? What is voltage at the starter if the starter is disconnected when turning the key?

[@Gary-c3e]

@@IndRepair It doesn't turn over when the spark plugs are disconnected. I've also installed new spark plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump and air filter. I get 12.5v out of the solenoid cable when it's disconnected from the starter. Thanks for your quick reply;)

[@IndRepair]

@@Gary-c3e If the voltage is good with the starter disconnected and the unit will still not turn over with the spark plugs out the starter is bad. This of course is only the case if the engine spins freely, which I am sure it does? You can turn the engine over by hand correct?

[@Gary-c3e]

@@IndRepair No I can't move the flywheel when the starter isn't engaged. Is it under compression?

[@IndRepair]

Not if the plugs are out, it should spin freely sounds like starter gear is jammed up or deeper engine issue

[@paulmonk7820]

Unrelated question, are ignition coils Interchangeable òn mower engines? 😮

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

Unfortunately, no. The magneto pickups have to, at the very least, match the diameter of the flywheel. There may be other variables involved like timing and the spacing of the pickups from each other, plus some magnetos have more than two wires, depending on the design of the engine, number of cylinders, etc. All of that notwithstanding, some magnetos will certainly work on more than one engine.

[@IndRepair]

Seems my work is done here! Great and correct answer. I have seen (and installed) similar coils and find that many times that run poorly because the timing is just slightly off. Check compatability along with bolt patterns tp be sure. Use OEM coils, we don't even bother putting an aftermarket on in any case. Not worth the headache

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair Thx, Martin!

[@vbdino]

Can we use multimeter on the two output of the solenoid instead of pliers

[@IndRepair]

Testing the voltage at the wire going to the starter back to the ground will give the voltage value being sent

[@IndRepair]

I do not like to do it this way because the entire time the solenoid is engaged with a bad starter it draws a large load many times and can burn out the starter solenoid. If you do it this way be quick with the testing

[@jimmuller6962]

What came out of that tank looked like lemonade

[@IndRepair]

It was some of the worst looking stuff I have seen in a while but suprisingly the carburetor was not gummed up

[@dst6619]

You'll probably get sued by John Deere. You are not an authorized repair shop 😅

[@IndRepair]

Lol, thank God! If only you knew the amount we see straight from there!

[@donaldboley771]

I always drain the tank before I ever try to start it. And I never crank one up with out go go juice if it been setting a long time.why burn up a new starter?

[@IndRepair]

The customer actually said he has been using it all year which seems very unlikely unless someone thought it needed a drink at some point. There was no reason for me to every think there was going to be water in the fuel or have another issue beyond the starter from what was relayed. People don't often seem to give you the whole story though

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

@@IndRepair My 2 cents - Rule #1 - Never assume that the customer gives correct (or complete) information. The reasons why this happens really don't matter, although it would be nice to know sometimes. It can be one of several different things, including ignorance, memory, embarrassment, carelessness, thoughtlessness, desire to keep the bill as low as possible - the list goes on. As you pointed out, communication throughout a repair goes a long way towards keeping the customer not only informed, but satisfied with the ultimate outcome. No one likes $ surprises! ;-)

[@IndRepair]

Definitely! It seems like the only time you get the truth is when you say something along the lines of "The belt broke because you hit something. We just put a new blade and belt on and the blade is bent/gouged also. You need both replaced again." Then the response is something about their friend, kid, neighbor or other family member using it last

[@robcole332]

It's amazing what gasoline does for an internal combustion engine LOL

[@IndRepair]

I am telling you! Who would have thought with some fuel the thing would run good?

[@outlet6989]

I had the same problem with my Craftsman 5000 GTS mower. I tried everything I could to fix it, and after three days of frustration, I discovered the problem. It was a bad brake safety switch and a real bitch to replace. Most riding mowers have four safety switches, brake, seat, transmission, and PTO. Try checking these before spending money on other components.

[@IndRepair]

Definitely, if not getting voltage to the solenoid one of the safety switches will be the culprit and that will be the direction you will want to go. I have videos of testing these switches in the description

[@outlet6989]

@@IndRepair@IndRepair Thank you for your informative reply. Sometimes, I think I know what I'm doing, but my wife would disagree, and, of course, they are always right.

[@IndRepair]

Of course they are!

[@philliphall5198]

I really think that some times people put water in fuel tank just to get out of mowing ???😢😢😢 Seems they have kids and water 😮

[@IndRepair]

I have seen rocks, sticks, toys, dirt and always wondered how they get in there lol

[@InTime-x3j]

IM not being mean but my family gave up on John Deere. They just make the parts just to expensive. We got a deere 345 in the corner of our building sitting there. It just kept breaking down time an time again and just parked it and got a zero turn different brand.

[@IndRepair]

They sure do! If you found a local repair shop that got you the Kawasaki equivalent engine parts you save somewhere around 40%