JD GT275 won't start

[RichOnLopezIsland]

I bought used GT275 a couple of years ago, and it has worked well. Except this morning it wouldn't start. I used it just a few days ago. When the ignition is turned on, I hear a click (maybe the solenoid?) but nothing more happens. I have verified the PTO is off, the brake is fully pushed in, the battery terminals are clean, the spark plug connection is good. I noticed in a prior post from someone with a similar problem they disassembled and cleaned the starter solenoid but I don't know where it is. The fuel filter, spark plug, air filter, oil and filter were changed recently. Any ideas?

richonlopezisland

 

[bruceatlam]

Buy a new battery ------------

 

[forgeblast]

Battery first then solenoid.

 

[RichOnLopezIsland]

Great, thanks. I hope that's the issue.

 

[Carl_NH]

Try to jump start it or charge the battery first - if it starts with a jump/charge then get a new battery, if not then solenoid or starter. Also when running check the voltage output to the battery - should be around 13.8V.

 

[forgeblast]

My last batter was dead, but when I put the charge on it it said it was fully charged. I even tried starting it with the charger attached no dice....new batter and it turned right over.

 

[Carl_NH]

My last batter was dead, but when I put the charge on it it said it was fully charged. I even tried starting it with the charger attached no dice....new batter and it turned right over.

Yep - same thing happened on my 1989 Cub Cadet a year ago - did a full charge but would only start with 100 AMP setting on the charger - so put in a new 365 CCA battery - this is the 4th battery in 24 years so not too bad. I use the trickle charger on all my seasonal machines now - about a month on each one just cycle it around and seems to work.

 

[RichOnLopezIsland]

Subsequent to my original post, now nothing happens, no "click", no dashboard lights. I installed new battery and still nothing. I don't know my way around small engines, so I don't know what the solenoid or starter even look like. If anyone has any thoughts, please post them. I live on a small island and the local repair shop is really business especially during tourist season. I'll look for a local that can help.

 

[bruceatlam]

Make sure that the cable ends are clean and tight ---- check both ends of the cables. Good grounds are essential. Wiggle the ends that attach to the battery ---- those ends have been known to break just inside the plastic cover on the cable --- you can't see it without wiggling the end to feel it. Do you have a VOM? If you do, what's the battery voltage at rest? Next leave the VOM leads attached to the battery and turn the key to start ---- what's battery voltage in with the key in the start position?

 

[Carl_NH]

Well, there are several fuses in the line from the switch - here is a wiring diagram to start to sort out your gremlins. Save this file and print it out to start the troubleshooting.

Get a volt / ohm meter if you don't have one - you can get these for $10-25 at your big box store or sears, or on line too.

 

[pennwalk]

Cleaning and dry lubing the solenoid and cleaning up the wiring can help but if the battery is ok then there is a relay kit that Deere sells that can help a lot.

Chris

 

[RichOnLopezIsland]

Cable ends seem to be clean and solid. I get the same reading on the VOM with the battery at rest and with the key turned to start. I don't really know how to read the VOM, but the reading was 15 on the amp scale. I experimented with touching the red VOM lead to the connection of what I believe to be the starter solenoid and the black lead to the frame and also to the negative post on the battery. Got no reading at all.

I wonder if a fuse has blown. Initially, when turning the key to start, there was a metallic sounding click and I believe the dash lights were on. Then after I did that a few times, no click and no dash lights. Where are the fuses? Is there a fuse panel or are they somehow in each line?

I appreciate that you are willing to spend a few minutes helping a novice.

 

[RichOnLopezIsland]

Does anyone know where the fuses are located on the GT275? I can't seem to locate them.

 

[Carl_NH]

Well, there are several fuses in the line from the switch - here is a wiring diagram to start to sort out your gremlins. Save this file and print it out to start the troubleshooting.

Get a volt / ohm meter if you don't have one - you can get these for $10-25 at your big box store or sears, or on line too.

Attached is the wiring diagram - you might have missed this..

Rich - follow the wires in the diagram and you will find a fuse. Look behind the dash around the switch area - without having a 275 to look at up close, it would be really hard to say exactly the location of the fuse.

Carl

 

[Carl_NH]

Here is some more info - try googling John Deere 275

http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/john-deere-forum/15238-john-deere-gt275-wont-turn-over.html

 

[RichOnLopezIsland]

Thanks to all who responded. It's fixed now. I repaired the plus battery cable and a installed a new fuse and she started right up. I think the battery cable was bad, and after trying to start it a few times, the fuse blew. I purchased a new batter cable, but while waiting for the new cable to arrive I cut off the bad end of the old cable, put a new connector on it and installed it and it worked fine. the new cable that I haven't installed yet is substantially smaller in diameter that the old one. is this a problem?

 

[RichOnLopezIsland]

I should have added to my report of the solution that one of the connectors on the bad cable was welded to the cable. It was the end connected to the starter. That didn't seem right, so I cut it off and put on a new connector.