Replacing the Ignition Coil on a John Deere Gator

[@joeh2253]

Great video, i just went through a starting problem on my Gator, I'm not a mechanic either. After many days tracking the problem it was a relay that had an on again off again issue. Very frustrating, lots of You Tubing, alot of hit or miss and finally got it. I know exactly how you feel, i was jumping up and down and yelling when it starting i was so happy. It was an awesome feeling when it started.

[@CJohnisee86]

You are a mechanic, you just proved it! Bravo!

[@craigsedlmayr7133]

You had the same problem Im having =,I did almost exactly the same things you did. I thought it was a fuel problem, did the same things fuel lines carb etc.The problem is when you check the ignition fire it looks good. What you have to do is check right when it fails, it looks weak or not at all sometimes. Haven't changed mine yet thanks for the help.

[@deernutOO]

That is a great feeling.. and hope I don't have to go through that ordeal, but having that fix on your 4x2 Gator will surely help me if the same thing happens to mine. I have a '98 4x2 that has been flawless since bought new. But ran into your video because my JD 425 started missing one cylinder and have an ignition coil on order. Hope the problem is a happy ending like yours.

[@alanmcrae4345]

when changing the coil you should check the air gap between it and the flywheel. On this older model it should be .3mm. Use a feeler gauge for this part. Another problem that people can check when having spark issues is the ignitor. Its a small square electrical component that has one wire running to it.

[@advancednutritioninc908]

Great Video! So glad you were able to fix your problem! Liked !!

[@THEMOWERMEDIC1]

EXACTLY the issue I’ve had over the past 30years working on Kawasaki engines.

[@joemorris414]

Excellent video! Congrats

[@ncgruntdiggers]

I'm having same problem, dies out when warm. Have cleaned carb, replaced fuel pump and lines. Will try this next. Thanks!

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

Good luck!

[@normanruttle7923]

Great video. Many thanks. It helped me resolve this issue too. Any chance you can tell me the model of your gator? And post a picture of the sticker on your engine. I think I have the same gator, but the previous owner painted over the model and the sticker on the engine is missing. Makes it really hard to order parts without these. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks again.

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

Thanks. Glad it helped. Mine is a 2000. Without seeing your serial/model number though, it’s gonna be hard to tell for sure . They were very similar for years. But that may also give you more leeway in ordering parts.

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

Not able to post a picture in the comments.

[@victorbeasty_5599]

Do you know where the Electronic ignition module goes?

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

Hi Victor. Are you referring to a specific machine?

[@robbiepulliam1829]

Thanks cause I got the same thing going on with my 4×2 gator

[@davidmayne3820]

Hey buddy I’m having the same problem you did with that bolt on the right side on the bottom of the fan shroud. Do you happen to remember what size extension you were able to use to get it off? And approximately How many bolts and where they were located. I’m pretty sure I took off the three on the top and the two on the left side and one on the right, still fighting with the one on the bottom. Anything you can help with would be appreciated

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

I feel your pain. Sure hope I don’t have to do that again anytime soon. I think it was a 3” extension but it also had an adapter on the end of it. If you pause the video around 14:16, you should be able to see it. It still took a lot of patience. Seems like it was 10 bolts total, but it has been a good while. I also think there was one bolt on the lower left side that was actually the last one I discovered. Good luck with yours!

[@davidmayne3820]

@@dogwoodspringsoutdoors Yeah I had to give up on it for a little bit. I’ll go back at it tomorrow. My knuckles are all beat up and bloody. 😏 Yeah I put a swivel adapter and a 3 inch extension on there but I couldn’t get past that bar on the bottom for the brake. I might have to call in some reinforcements. My hands are so big I can barely fit them in there to get the bolt turnt. If I do get it out I doubt I’m gonna put it back in. Lol. I appreciate your help, and the fact that you responded. I’ll figure it out one way or the other. Even with this bolt that would only make seven that I took out. So I guess I need to keep looking. 🙄

[@bettydillingham1498]

As close as possible for that ignition module without it scraping against the flywheel. There may be a recommended clearance but you can usually use a thick piece of paper or thin card stock as a gauge. Must have not scraped and you obviously got it close enough. Congratulations.

[@frankelizondo7477]

How many wires connect to coil?

[@jeremyc9229]

How is it running today? I have the same gator, been stumped on why it floods, won’t start, dies, etc. I never thought about the coil

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

So far so good. Haven’t had anymore trouble. Good luck with yours.

[@advancednutritioninc908]

If it's not the coil, i have read that the needle and seat need to be replaced in the carb. they clearance becomes too large due to wear and it floods the machine with gas. that will foul your plug often.

[@jeremyc9229]

@@advancednutritioninc908 thanks, I will check that out! I gave up on it and it’s been sitting for over a year. I’m going to make it a project with my son and bring it in the shop, tear it all down and restore it for him to drive around.

[@rustygray4922]

Thank you!!

[@joemorris414]

What was the coil part # ? I have the same model gator.

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

I ordered for M126972 and found it on Amazon.

[@threemfarm]

Where did you order your coil and how much was it?

[@dogwoodspringsoutdoors]

Once I figured out the part number for mine I just searched it and compared. Ended up getting it on Amazon for $24. I used the PIN/serial number on my Gator to get diagrams and part numbers on this site. partscatalog.deere.com. Hope that helps.

[@threemfarm]

@@dogwoodspringsoutdoors thanks

[@Real_Tim_S]

Always look for the engine's service manual.

[@willwarro4054]

dude that engine has one loud knock. i'd be more concerned about that.