John Deere Lawn Mower Won’t Start

There is a problem with the John Deere lawn mower that won’t run

When your lawn mower is out of commission, your grass doesn’t just stop growing, so what can you do to make it work again? Before you take the mower to a professional for a repair, there are some things you can check yourself.

There can be many reasons why John Deere lawn mowers don’t start. These include a problem with the fuel system, a dirty carburetor, a clogged air filter, a malfunctioning safety switch, a faulty ignition switch, or a faulty fuel filter. If you have a problem starting your vehicle, it may be the result of a problem with the charging system or ignition coil.

When your John Deere tractor doesn’t start, it can be disappointing when you prepare to mow or do yard work with it. You’ve come to the right place if it isn’t starting or clicking. We have found some reasons why this might be happening through thorough research.

Your John Deere gas-powered lawn mower may have starting problems due to the following items. In no time, your lawn will look magnificent after checking and fixing these items!

Reasons Why Your John Deere Mower Won’t Start

Our experience with John Deere tractors led us to compile a list of common problems. Here are some recommendations from our seasoned landscapers.

Fuel tanks are empty on John Deere mowers 

Many of my customers’ mowers will not start because of this simple fix, but to my surprise it has been the cause. Fuel leaks may not have been noticed or you may have forgotten you needed fuel for your mower.

Result

Gasoline should be pumped into your fuel tank as soon as possible. It’s critical to understand the type of fuel you should use with your gas John Deere lawn mower before you operate it. To run a mower powered by diesel, you will need to add diesel fuel to the tank.

The use of fuel/diesel of low quality

A tractor that is running on low quality fuel or diesel can also have problems starting if the fuel or diesel you are using is of poor quality. High-quality fuel is one of the most effective factors in preventing any engine problems that may occur as a result of using low-quality fuel.

Result

The professionals at our landscaping company recommend using 87 octane unleaded gasoline if you are not sure what kind of fuel you should use. You are not sure what to choose.

A faulty connection between the battery and the charger

Before we proceed to find out if it’s a dead battery that’s causing your lawnmower to not work, let’s take a look at the connections first. It might just be a matter of loose connections that are causing the problem.

It should be noted that when you mow the lawn, a lot of vibrations are created and generated. There is a possibility that something will fall or come loose from time to time. The battery connections should be carefully examined, and any connections that are not tight enough should be tightened as soon as possible.

Result

There could also be a problem with the connections being dirty or corroded. Consider taking a moment to clean the connections if they seem dirty. If the connections are clean and tight, it is possible that the problem is not with the connections. In that case, it’s time to have a look at the battery itself. 

Make sure the ignition switch is working

It is critical to understand that ignition switches are an integral part of the ignition system, and that faulty connections there can cause a lot of problems. Depending on whether the ignition switch has been fitted, the switch will send commands to the control module.

There are safety sensors on the mower that are wired inline to the ignition switch, so if any of the safety sensors are in the open position the ignition switch will have a closed circuit, which will prevent the mower from starting. Even if your mower has a control module, the safety sensors are wired inline to the ignition switch. They tend to be the most reliable systems because they are the most basic.

Fuel cap on John Deere tractor is faulty

The fuel cap on your vehicle is designed to vent by design. There is a vacuum that is formed in the fuel tank when your cap has been broken or plugged in, resulting in the cap not venting. Your John Deere mower will not start if there is no vacuum in the fuel tank to prevent fuel from escaping. 

If your mower is having difficulty starting up, removing the fuel cap and re-running it will help narrow it down to the fuel cap. In the event that your John Deere starts and runs fine, remove the fuel cap and reinstall it. You will be able to continue using your John Deere as normal.

As you wait for it to start running slowly and shut off automatically after some time, the mower has been running for some time. Removing the cap and starting it again should work if it does.

A fuel cap problem can be determined this way. If you remove the cap, make sure no dirt falls into the tank.

Result

Install a new fuel cap in place of the old one. On Amazon you can find one, or you can find it at your local John Deere dealer if you live nearby. 

Contamination of fuel is a serious problem

Your John Deere tractor may also have a problem with fuel contamination, which is another possible problem. In order to prevent further damage to your engine, make sure the fuel tank is clean and does not contain any water or other contaminants.

Result

You should drain all the fuel from the fuel tank and fill it up with fresh fuel, if you think there may be water in the tank.

Jets need to be cleaned regularly

The carburetor bowl nut must be removed from the carburetor. Squeeze the trigger of the carburetor cleaner several times until the spray shoots into the carburetor’s venturi by inserting the carburetor cleaner straw directly into the main jet passage.

The passage will be confirmed to be open if that happens. There is a pretty common problem of a clogged main jet. (Photo 4) Spray carburetor cleaner can be used to clean it. Once you have started, try again. The carburetor may need to be replaced if no gas is getting to the engine.

Seized or failing engine

In the event that this is not the cause of your lawnmower problem, it is still possible that it is the engine of your lawnmower that is the problem. This is provided that you have ruled out every other possibility. There can be a number of reasons why a lawnmower’s engine fails, one of which is improper lawnmower maintenance. The engine of your car could be damaged if you do not change your oil on a regular basis or if the oil is running low.

Result

Using penetrating oil can help get the engine moving if it is seized or “locked up.” Changing the oil is also recommended at this time.

The fuel pump on my John Deere is damaged 

The fuel tank on a John Deere lawnmower sits lower than the carburetor, so a vacuum fuel pump pumps gas into the carburetor. There are three ports on the fuel pump.

Flow of fuel through the pump is controlled by two ports: an inlet and an outlet. A connecting fitting connects the third port to a fitting that feeds fuel into the carburetor under pressure from the crankcase.

Result

To begin with, make sure your vacuum fuel pump is free of cracks by inspecting it. Fuel will not be able to flow through the fuel pump if you see fuel outside or cracks in it. There is a need to replace it.

As a second step, ensure that fuel is getting to the fuel pump from the fuel tank. By crimping the fuel line or turning off the fuel valve, you will stop fuel flow in the engine.

Problems with fuel injection pumps

The timing in your John Deere tractor’s fuel injection pump might be off or the system might be damaged or leaking.

Result

If there are any leaks in the fuel lines, lawnmowers will last shorter. Check if you can fix the problem by tightening the fittings. In the event of damage, our experts suggest that you consult a John Deere mechanic.

Problems that commonly occur

Indications that an ignition switch is malfunctioning are loose wiring, corroded terminals, broken terminals, and spinning switches.

As ignition system wiring specs vary, I am unable to provide more detail. Make sure there are no damages, corrosion, or missing wires in the ignition wiring. You can wiggle the ignition wires and connectors as your helper sits on the mower.

You can use your DVOM if you have one:

  • Ensure that the 12-volt supply and ground are connected to the ignition input.
  • As the ignition is in the start position, check the ignition output – 12 volts to the solenoid and control module.

Make a change – Wiring and pins are damaged by spinning ignition switches.

It is also common for failures to occur due to corrosion. As a result, the system is usually unreliable when it starts and shuts down.

Move your hips – If you have trouble starting the engine, try wiggling the wires behind the ignition switch. You may need assistance. It is common for wires to come loose, but they should be checked for corrosion as well.

In Summary/Conclusion

Taking proper care of John Deere mowers can ensure longer use, according to our experts.

Hopefully our article has given you some insight into why your mower might not be working. If your lawnmower does not start after clicking, you may be able to diagnose the problem and fix it yourself.

You can avoid the frustration of delays and get back to work in no time by consulting a professional. This is because your John Deere lawn mower still turns over but will not start after following these tips. Wishing you success! 

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