John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

I have a John Deere that will not start. I purchased a new battery and it still will not start. It will start if I put jumper cables on it.

By Carol from Rapids, MI

John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

My John Deere riding mower won't start. It tries to turn over, then gets weaker. It actually sounds like it's very stiff as it turns. I tried a brand new battery which eventually got drained trying to start the engine. I checked the gas line, it looked good, the spark plug looked okay. It did backfire once during the process. Any ideas? Thanks!

By The Cobra from Cincy, OH

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

Are you sure your new battery is good? Are your sparks new and set at the correct gap? Is your carburetor clean, and your air filter? Is there new fresh gas in it and oil? (04/14/2009)

By mom-from-missouri

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

You may have water in the gas tank from condensation over the winter. (04/14/2009)

By crunchberry

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

Here's what you do; spray a shot of starting fluid into the carburetor. Try to start now. If it runs and dies, then you have a fuel problem. If it doesn't try to start, you have an electrical problem. Now you know which way to troubleshoot. Post what happens and we can go from there. Hope this is helpful. (06/08/2009)

By jdj599

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

I have a John Deere Sabre that also has issues starting. It actually feels like the engine is locked up. The problem is fuel getting into the cylinder causing a hydrostatic lock. Once the fuel is blown out, and plug dried, it'll start right up. I believe the float or needle and seat are the issues. I've been looking for some carburetor repair instructions, but saw your post and decided to respond. If this is also your problem, check your oil, as it too may be contaminated by the fuel. It will eventually cause engine damage. Make sure it's changed. (07/18/2009)

By oldgoat

John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

My John Deere LA130 tractor won't start. The engine tries to start a couple of times, then nothing. It worked fine plowing snow and I leaned forward off the seat for something and it automatically stopped (like it is supposed to) and now won't start.

By McMorrow from Peoria, IL

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

Yes the mower has a safety device that shuts the engine off when you lift up off the seat. So you have to be in the seat for the mower to operate. Providing that the engine is getting gas and there is no water or ice in the gas line it may have something to do with the safety device attached to the seat. (01/21/2010)

By foxrun41

John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

I have a John Deere LA105 riding mower and it won't start. I have replaced the battery and the solenoid. When I turn the key I only get a click. Any suggestions?

By Tom

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

Sounds like the starter is bad. Here's how you can test it.

Place a pair of jumper cables on the proper terminal of your car battery.
Using the other end of the cables, attach negative terminal (black) to an unpainted metal surface, preferably on the frame. Locate the starter. You will see a post with a nut holding a red wire. Turn the ignition key to the run position. Take the red clamp on your jumper cable and touch it to the nut with the red wire. This bypasses all other switches, and your battery. If the starter is giving the same reaction it is time to replace it. (05/01/2010)

By EngTech

John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

I have a John Deere la105 riding mower, about 1 year old. It won't start. When I turn the key I get one click. I charged the battery and looked for a short or loose wire, same thing. I replaced the solenoid, same thing, turn the key and just one click. I replaced the battery, same thing.

I can get it to start by directly jumping the starter with the battery, but that's the only way. It seems to me that the battery, the starter, and the solenoid are all good. I am stumped. The only mobile John Deere repair within 200 miles closed, so I have to rent a trailer and drive it an hour away! So much for my warranty.

By Frankie from Merritt Island, FL

RE: John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

Well, I also have a John Deere with the same problem. With a freshly charged battery I get a click when I turn the key. Sometines after I turn the key several times the mower will start. When it doesn't I hook up my battery charger, put it on boost and turn the key. With the extra boost it starts. (05/25/2010)

By foxrun41

John Deere Riding Mower Won't Start

I have about a 3 year old John Deere model 115, with a 19 HP B and S engine. It started to lose power going up my hills and then died. It would restart and run a little longer and do the same thing. I had the carburetor worked on and it worked a little better for a short time and now is worse.

It went from running to not starting. The spark is good. It is just not getting gas. If I manually push gas into the bowl it will start and run. I replaced the fuel pump to no avail. It will still not start and is getting no fuel. All the hoses to the fuel pump are fine. The gas cap's vents are open. If the valves are out of adjustment could this cause the engine vacuum to be too low to actuate the fuel pump?

By Alex from Columbia, TN