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Ranwell1's Avatar
  • Answered by:Ranwell1
  • Small Engine Technician
  • Positive Feedback: 98.6 %
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in Small Engine

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Customer Question

I have a John Deere LA120 lawn tractor. Long story short, it ran out of gas in the field. It was left there for about a week and was rained on twice. Now when I go to start it, I get nothing. No clicking from the starter or anything. The battery shows 12.9 volts and the headlamps come on when the switch is turned passed that position. I have checked all of the wiring and looks intact. The 20 amp fuse is ok. Could the rain have messed up the solenoid or starter?

 

Optional Information:
Make: JOhn deere
Model: LA120

Already Tried:
checked the battery, cables and fuses

Submitted: 256 days and 15 hours ago.
Category: Small Engine
Value: $17
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  Ranwell1 replied 256 days and 15 hours ago.


Ranwell1 :

hi

Ranwell1 :

Yes the rain will cause major problems.

Ranwell1 :

Most of the time it is actually a safety switch that is not working right.

Ranwell1 :

Try the mower engagement switch first.

Ranwell1 :

Many times when a mower runs out of gas, the customer forgets to turn the mower engagement off.

Ranwell1 :

If this is the case, just turn the mower deck switch of and you may have it fixed.

Ranwell1 :

Other than that it could also be a brake/clutch switch that is ot working right.

Ranwell1 :

But it could also be a connection to ANY of the switches. IT might have corroded

Customer :

I have a brake/clutch switch, unaware of any mower engagement switch

Customer :
Customer :

I have an extra battery, is there any way to jump the solenoid to bypass the safety switches to determine whether it is the solenoid or starter, then work backwards

Customer :

solenoid or starter problem

Ranwell1 :

All you have to do is take a jumper wire from the positive postt of the battery to the starter post.

Ranwell1 :

This sould check the starter.

Ranwell1 :

If the starter turns over, then the starter is good.

Ranwell1 :

The mower deck switch is the electric switch that you turn the electric clutch on to make the blades turn ....or if you have an older unit, you may NOT have an electric switch you may have a lever that you push or pull to turn the blades on. Connected to this lever under the frame of the tractor would be a safety switch that must be activated.

Ranwell1 :

If this switch is not working, then engine will NOT turn over.

Ranwell1 :

I did not look to see which type of engagement you have, but you should be able to tell.

Customer :

The starter works when jumped. The PTO is a lever and it is in the off position.

Customer :

How can I check the solenoid to see if it is working.

Customer :

Hello, Hello, hello

Customer :

You left me in he middle of a chat. What's up with that? Is there anyone else you can help me?

Customer :
Ranwell1 :

I had to go for a litle while.

Ranwell1 :

The solenoid can be checked if yoou take the jumper wire form the positive battery post and take it to the small post on the solenoid. Some of these thave 2 small posts so make sure that you do not connect it to the wrong small post. One has 12 volts to it and the othere is a ground.

Ranwell1 :

I have not beeen getting you chat messages.

Ranwell1 :

The lever of the mower deck engagement, is supposed to press agains a switch under the tractor frame. If this is not being pushed all the way, then it will not work.

Ranwell1 :

It alsmost always is one of these safety switches.. Although the solenoid could be the problems, but it doesn;t happen very often.

Ranwell1 :

are you there?

Ranwell1 :

I am not getting your chat messages.

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Expert:  Ranwell1 replied 256 days and 12 hours ago.

Our chat has ended, but you can still continue to ask me questions here until you are satisfied with your answer. Come back to this page to view our conversation and any other new information.

What happens now?

If you haven’t already done so, please rate your answer above. Or, you can reply to me using the box below.

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Expert:  Ranwell1 replied 256 days and 12 hours ago.

I do not understand the poor rating. I have tried to help as much as possible.
LEt me know if there is anything else I can do.

I have changed the question to a regular question because I was not getting any of your chat messages.

"Please leave a GOOD rating
for me as that is the only way I get paid for my time. If you cannot give me one of the highest ratings, then please do not rate me AT ALL until we discuss this answer further and you are happy with my answer"

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Expert:  Ranwell1 replied 244 days and 22 hours ago.

Just a follow-up to our question.

I was just checking to see if you have been able to solve your issue. Please let me know if there is anything else that I can do to help you.

 

If you need any more help with this, you can contact me here at this question...even after you have given me a GOOD rating.

.......................

"Please leave a GOOD rating for me as that is the only way I get paid for my time.You may also consider sending a bonus if I have been helpful. If you cannot give me one of the highest ratings, then please do not rate me AT ALL until we discuss this answer further and you are happy with my answer".

Ranwell141148.8025918982

 
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