Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John deere 265 Kawasaki fc540v

Question
QUESTION: This tractor sat outside for years but all the attachments were garage kept so I bought it for $300. Cleaned the fuel tank replaced all the fuel line, all filters and fluids. Pulled the carb and cleaned it up. Tractor starts right up. However it cuts In and out, as if it's not getting fuel. Then I pulled the wire off of the fuel solenoid and it runs great. Why would this be? And can the fuel solenoid continue to run with this wire not connected? Is that a ground wire?

ANSWER: It is probably a 12 volt DC positive wire.  I would check the power on the fuel solenoid.  You can check the solenoid using a 9 volt battery.

Did you dis-connect and clean the battery cable ends and battery terminals with a wirebrush?  I've had some riders in the past with a poor ground which caused the solenoid not to work.  A few manufacturers, years ago, had issues with poor grounds.  A service bulletin was published telling technicians to make a small ground wire and connect to the carburetor air filter housing screw and the other end to the metal engine block.  I installed a few of these "extra" grounds and it fixed the problem.

Check first for 12 volts DC on the solenoid wire and then make sure all your ground connections are clean.

Let me know what you find.
Eric

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I wire brushed the terminals, also made sure all the ground wires were good and tight. I do have a ground on the carburetor.  I checked the 12 volt wire and my meter read 11 volts so that seemed to be good. Next I got a 9 volt battery and tested the solenoid and the plunger did nothing so this must be my problem.  When I started it in turtle mode it ran fine but when I throttled up to rabbit with the faulty solenoid it states to cut in and out. Why?

Thanks for your quick response

Answer
The fuel solenoid is supposed to stop fuel flow when the key switch is turned to the off position.  This is suppose to prevent backfires.

Normally when a fuel solenoid fails the mower will not run at all as the solenoid plunger is extended and inserted into the main fuel nozzle.

I'd pull the solenoid off and bench test with the 9 volt battery.  Just use a couple of test leads/wire.  Make sure the positive of the 9 volt battery is connected to the wire on the solenoid and then just use a test lead and connect/touch the metal solenoid case with the negative terminal...you should hear the solenoid click and might see it move.

Let me know if you hear a click when you "bench" test the solenoid.

Eric