Lawn Tractor Won't Start

I have a John Deere LA125. I bought it new in 2009. After sitting unused in the garage for the winter (5 months) I couldn't get get it to run. The engine wouldn't turn. There was either a clicking sound when turning the key or no sound at all. I changed the spark plug - nothing. I boosted the battery and it ran. I was able to cut the lawn then turned it off. A few minutes later, I tried to start it and it wouldn't start again. I have to boost the battery each time. Any ideas?

By Mike L.

Answers: Lawn Tractor Won't Start

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By 04/27/2012

Change the celluloid and put a new battery in it. It should work great after that.

By 04/27/2012

I had the same thing happen to me. I took the battery into our local Auto Zone and had them test the battery, it was very low and needed to be charged. They put it on their charger and after the allotted time, they tested it again. Sure enough the battery would not hold the charge. I replaced the battery. Also make sure you have good gas in your mower, if it is old it will also keep the mower from starting.

By 04/27/2012

Although I have no experience with lawn mowers, I am fairly sure that John Deere would not build riding mowers that had such a fuss to start on purpose. I would think that you should check the battery. It may not have charged enough, or perhaps it was defective. I know if this was my car, I would put the battery on a trickle charge with a battery charger for 8 hours or so. If that didn't solve the problem, I'd go back to your dealership. John Deere equipment should run better than what you describe.

By 04/26/2012

I bought a brand new John Deere LA120. After a few uses it would not start or I would get a click sound or it would just turn over once or twice then nothing. I thought it was the battery or an open ground causing the problem.

A newer high amp battery may not change anything. I carefully checked out all the wiring. Nothing. I asked a dealer. He said it was the valves out of alignment. I thought he was crazy. I checked with a second dealer and he said the same thing. He said they could adjust the valves but I would be back next year with the same problem.

His suggestion was to rotate the air intake counter clockwise that sat on top of the engine until I felt resistance then it should start. I rotated the air intake as he suggested and could feel the resistance and hear the cylinders and valves moving. Then it started right up. So that is how I have to start the thing every time.

Sometimes I have to turn the air intake clockwise for it to start. The air cleaner is the screen disc that sits on top of the engine and rotates when the engine is running