NDR: Riding Lawnmower Troubleshooting

Carl

Carl

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Going up to my Mom's in a week or so to pick up my Dad's John Deere Riding mower.
It's been sitting since he passed away 4 years ago.
Even with a charged battery, we havent been able to get it to wont turn over. No starter movement at all.
My first inclination is that the pressure-release kill switch under the driver seat is the problem.
Anyone now if there is a simple way to bypass it to test that theory and at least get it cranked enough to get it in the truck?
Any other areas I need to check first?
Thanks!
 
Will try to remember that!
Having never used a riding mower much, simple stuff like that can get overlooked.
I intend to take a fresh gallon of gas and my battery charger along as well as some tools. Hopefully I can get it cranked.
 
Carl,
We've also got a JD, 16 hp with 46" deck and blower/bagger. Though.........I'd never buy another JD again as I've spent more on repairs than I did buying it. We cut 4 acres a week and that's it.
Anyhow, you must be sitting in the seat in order to start it and either the clutch/brake must be depressed or the LOCK (orange lever on panel) must be engaged. With the lock engaged, you don't have to push down on the clutch/brake.
Check first to see if the lights work. If they don't, you have a bad connection someplace. You could also check for elec. continuity.
Good luck.
Lou
 
so irritating the multiple "safeties" when they go bonkers or you have to touch your left ear with your tongue in order for them to work...

I mow with a commercial walk behind JD G15 about 2-3 acres a week.....never had a glitch.......good mower... it will mow almost 3 acres in 2 hours if you can keep it moving at good speed.
 
Carl, you can take a set of jumper cables and run them off a your car battery. Hook the ground to the frame and "tap the positive to the starter lead. If it turns over, you are NOT getting power to the starter and if it doesn't, your starter is bad. If it does turn over, your mower battery could be bad. Even if it is showing CHARGED it could still have a bad cell and not strong enough to get it to turn over. Someone mentioned checking the lights and the clutch, both good ideas, but some mowers must be running in order for the lights to work so don't use NO LIGHTS as an electrical problem. There is usually a start solenoid in the motor area under the hood. The wires from the start go to this and so does the wires from the key switch. These occasionally go bad too. Good Luck dc
 
Also make shure the mower/ deck switch/lever is off/disengaged. Charge/jumper the batt.-sit on seat-FULLY depress the clutch & brake try to start it. If this fails come-a-long it on truck to get it home.
Good Luck~~~ Dennis
 
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