QuestionQUESTION: This mower has a busted up hood and has been kept outside,
however, it has been running fine but it's been slow to start lately.I ran it out of gas but didn't refuel for a couple weeks. I've got a wet plug, so I believe I'm getting fuel. I've tried jumping with my truck. I've cleaned the coil and flywheel of rust, pulled the ground wire but still no fire from coil with a
good plug.I've been looking for safety switches
to bypass, but the only one that I'm seeing is under the seat. Are there others on this model? I believe that the coil or possibly the stator could be the problem. Before I buy the wrong part, I was wondering how to check the stator. Sorry if too much info. but I felt that some could be helpfull. Thanks for your time, and patience, and expertise.
ANSWER: Hello David:
No Worries. The More Information I can get, the Better. On this Model JD, to Check the Coil, Remove the Blower Housing (metal Engine Cover) and Disconnect the Cut Off Wire from the Coil. Remove the Spark Plug/s and Wrap a Wire Around the Threaded Area of the Plug/s. Attach the Other End of the Wire to the Engine Block. Turn the Engine Over and Watch for Fire at the Plug/s. If you have Fire, then a Safety Switch is Bad of there is a Ground in the Wiring Harness. If No Fire at the Plugs, then the Ign Coil is Bad and Requires Replacing. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Engine and Mower at this Site Addy, http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.H and Enter the Model Numbers (LX172) and Click Find. Then Select your Model from the Search Results Area. Then Select the Sectional File. Then Select the Section of the Mower you Wish to View Online. To Check the Safety Switches; The Following is an Instruction File for the Safety Switch System. Any Input is Appreciated. The Color Code of the Wires May be Different than those I Use as a Reference in the Instruction File. **PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING THE SAFETY SWITCHES IS JUST THAT!!! FOR CHECKING ONLY. I NEVER Suggest a Mower be Operated with a Safety Device or Switch Disconnected or Bypassed. Now. On Some Model Mowers you can Simply Unplug the Safety Switch from the Harness. On Other Models you have to Place a Jumper Wire Between the Harness Terminals (on the 4 Post Switch (Clutch/Brake) Jumper from Same Color Wire white to White First and then Check for Fire, Now Include the Black to Black Wires if No Fire. Check the Clutch/Brake and the Blade/PTO Safety Switches First. Check the Seat Safety Last. Usually the Seat Safety is Not in the System for Starting the Engine. Just to Ensure Someone is in the Seat when Engaging the Transaxle and/or Blades. Use a Paper Clip or a Short Wire to Make a Jumper.** If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hello John,
I checked the coil, after removing the cut off wire, and again I had no fire. I replaced the coil with a new one but still have no fire. I've replaced the battery, since the old one tested bad. I've cleaned the cables that connect to the battery. If I'm understanding you correctly,
once I disconnect the cut off and check the coil with no fire, this eliminates the possibilities of one of the safety switches preventing the engine from starting. Please remember this mower has been in the weather. Could the rain have shorted the circuit board behind the ignition switch or the stator? What do I check next?
Thanks again,
David
AnswerHello again David:
The Next Check is to Turn the Coil Over and Set the Gap at .020in from the Flywheel. Sometimes a New Coil will be Marked "This Side Out/Up" on the Wrong Side and it will Not Fire if Mounted Wrong. It Does Not Damage the Coil to have the "This Side Out/Up" Not Showing. If Turning the Coil Over Does Not Allow the Engine to Fire, then Put the Coil Back the Way it was and Check the Circuit Board Behind the Ign Switch. I Talked to my Contact at JD and Some of these Mowers have the Ign Module for the Coil on this Board even though the Breakdown Shows the Coil as an Ign Coil and Usually this Means there is NO Ign Module to Assist the Coil in Firing the Plug/s. There May be a Typo in the Breakdown. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
