JD ZTrak 915B will not start. Asking for help to find resources

jcu007 · Apr 6, 2018

I borrowed my Dad痴 mower so of course it quits working on me. I finished mowing. Turned the blades off. Put parking brake on. Turned it off. Put arms in neutral position. Filled it with gas.
Then it would not do anything upon turning the key to start back up. The digital readout for the hours does come on. It started easily enough when I picked it up earlier. What would shake loose or quit during mowing that would prevent it from even turning over but not stop the mower in mid job? I tried a battery booster and then even put the battery on a charger until charged (didn稚 take just a minute to show charged) so I feel confident that the battery is good. I don稚 care to try things but am somewhat inexperienced in engines, so feel free to explain to me like you would a kid.
Any suggestions for resources or ideas on what to check and how would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Missouri Lad · Apr 7, 2018

John Deere had/has a problem with the PTO switch/pull up button on some of their Ztrak models...that includes my Z710-A also. There are three screws that holds the instrument panel on and under that you will find the PTO switch that has collected a lot of dust/grit etc. I removed mine and cleaned it and reinstalled it. That was two years ago and it still works. Try that and see if you can get it started, otherwise it may be the battery cable needs cleaning also. While you are under the panel, clean the wires to the ignition switch also.

jcu007 · Apr 7, 2018

Thanks for the advice. I will try that this morning. I forgot to mention that I used a leaf blower to blow off the deck, while it is not a new thing we do, it certainly stirred up the dust and could lead to the issue you mention. Thank again for the help. I値l let you know what happens.

lt190b · Apr 7, 2018

Did you have the e brake set?

jcu007 · Apr 7, 2018

Pulled that section up and removed a mouse nest but all wires were good. When I turn the key to the on position, there is a small noise near the key area (at least front at side of the mower). Nothing new happens when turning to the on position. If the blades are engaged and the key is moved to theon position, there is aloud click from behind me in the motor area. Nothing else happens if the key is turned to start. So it seems that the blades engage switch is working as there is a difference between what happens in the two positions.
I do have a voltmeter. The battery is at 12.6V in the off position.
I did notice a waxy buildup on the seat switch and the blades switch is that just there to protect against corrosion or should that be cleaned off?

jcu007 · Apr 7, 2018

The brake is set, arms pushed to the outside, blades off, and I知 in the seat.

beenthere · Apr 7, 2018

Do you have the service tech manual for your Z ?

beenthere · Apr 7, 2018

Seems (to me) that a simple bank of lights could display the several conditions that have to be met when starting our mowers and tractors.
I'm not for more idiot lights, but when it gets to be more than one or two conditions that will cause failure to start or to run, then some aid to the operator is just a courteous move by the mfg.

But then, if an idiot light goes bad.. be left again in a lurch.

Gary Fowler · Apr 7, 2018

I have found that sometimes I have a no start situation and if I swing the arms in and then back out fully it works. I would go thru the sequence again by moving everything to the mow position and then back to the start position and try again.
Some mowers are really weird. My neighbors mower has to have the park brake released to start.