GX345 Won't Start

[jiverson90]

Hello Guys,

I was the guy with the GX345 a month or so ago that was having some issues with my mower. I decided to take it to my local dealer just to have them do a service and to fix the issues I was having.

Now they rebuilt the carb, new fuel pump, gaskets where the oil was leaking, voltage regulator, transmission service, and standard service. Since I purchased this mower at a deal from a friend, I decided just to give it a good service and have my dealer here do the work.

Picked it up on Thursday and they drove it on to my trailer and couldn't wait to mow again.

I immediately get home to take the mower off the trailer....doesn't start. Cranked, but very slowly. Called my service guy he said "charge up the battery and you should be good to go". Charged it up at a slow amp setting and measured over 12v. Tried to start it again yesterday afternoon cracked faster like it normally should, but still didn't start. Called him back up said it won't start after charging it. He said well it's most likely your battery, bring the battery in and I'll give you a new one just because. So, I came to the store today, picked up my free new battery, came back home, hooked it up, tried to start it. Nothing. Cranked like it should, but still didn't start.

To say that I am frustrated is an understatement and I called the dealer and told them and spoke to a technician who worked on it some. They will come pick it up for me Monday but didn't know what I could do in the meantime to troubleshoot it.

 

[beenthere]

Sorry to hear of continued problems.

Should just continue and add to your old thread... next time.

 

[jiverson90]

I didn't for its seems to be a complete different issue. I'll take note for next time.

 

[Missouri Lad]

I know the story...it the one the dealer uses 90% of the time. The technician probably started the day before he put his hands on the tractor, and that is common for a tractor the dealer was to fix and you paid your last dollar for the benefit it would work when you got home. Now, they come and get it...another fee for hauling it in, plus the fact you will probably pay some more of the last few dollars you have, as they will tell you this is something (repairs) that wasn't part of the original job work order. Been There.

 

[glorybonilla]

Yes I agree with Missouri Lad.

 

[bruceatlam]

Well, assuming that it's timed correctly, you need compression, spark, fuel and air for it to run. I assume that it's timed correctly since they drove it on to your trailer when you picked it up. So what can happen in transit??? I believe that you have a fuel cut off solenoid on that carb. Is it opening?? Can you hear it click when you turn the key to start it?? Do you get spark when you try to start it???

You can remove the fuel cut off solenoid if it's not working and just plug the hole. If that was the problem, it should then start and run.

 

[Missouri Lad]

Why would John Deere put a "thingy thing" on a lawn tractor that would shut off the gas? When the owner turns the key to off, that surely would shut down the engine. But, we know the story... it's to keep the tractor from "backfiring" at shutdown like some lawn tractors we have own. The backfiring would disturb the male and female next door from have their afternoon delight round, and they surely would complain.
Yep!, just remove the shutoff value and plug the hole in the carburetor. However, to keep those two lovers next door from complaining, just run the tractor at idle for a couple minutes before turning the key off.

 

[Yellowfever440]

OK the most common 2 things from when I work at a jd dealer for 5 years on 345s and 425s is a thing called a timer delay relay. There 20 bucks and easy to change, I don't know your story but the dealer I worked at didn't screw people but I have found there are some that do and don't care. The other thing that could happen was with the key switch module. There are fuses on the key switch module so I would check those and I would check for spark.

 

[Yellowfever440]

I would say bad coil but it should still run on one cylinder so maybe your have a fuel flow problem as well

 

[Kish318420]

Check the electronic ignition components out. From the crank pickup, to the electronic points (or mag on some), to the coil(s). Sounds like a part has failed due to age/heat and dies quickly after warming up.