My John Deere Z375R zero turn mower will not start?

Question

I've had my John Deere Z375R for about 3 or 4 years.  In the last couple of years on occasion when I turn the key it will not start.  It won't turn over, click or anything.  I have the brake on, the steering arms in the out position and the blade is disengaged.   Usually after a few turns of the key it will finally start. Sometimes I hop on and it turns right over, other times it may take 6 or 8 turns, lately it's been 15 or 20.  And yet again, sometimes I hop on and it starts right up.  I assume there is some sort of a short in the ignition?  Or something loose in the ignition?  If you are familiar with this issue, please let me know.  I am relatively handy and want to fix it on my own if it's not too difficult.   Thanks

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Replace all the fuses.  Get the battery charged and load tested or just replace it.  Clean the battery posts.  Replace or clean the battery terminals.  Clean thoroughly all the power and ground connections at the starter solenoid.  Clean the battery ground connection to the body or chassis and engine.  If you do not see bare metal, you have not cleaned enough.

No luck, get a 12v test light, connect  test light to battery negative (check if test light lights up when battery positive is touched) and check power at the S terminal of the solenoid with key on Start.  If there is no power (test light not lighting), check for continuity at the ignition switch with key on Start with a multimeter or a test light.  Check the safety switches for continuity with key on Start.

If power is good at the S terminal with key on Start, check power at the B+ terminal of the solenoid with key on Start.  Cheick the ground connection (connect test light to battery postive and touch starter case ( or ground wire connection) with key on Start, test light should light up if ground is good).

If both power and ground are all good with key on Start and the engine is not cranking, starter is bad.  Good luck.

? · Answer

Unplug the Seat Switch and jump the wires. That's probably all you can do without a test light. If you have one, check the Trigger wire on the Starter Solenoid, it's the thin wire on top usually. It sends 12V to close the solenoid. If no trigger check the same color wire off the Ignition Switch. If no power in Start the switch is bad. If you have to use it you can jump the trigger terminal on the solenoid to Battery + with a long wire. If the solenoid doesn't click it's bad.

jimanddottaylor · Answer

It does sound like a loose wire that is slowly getting looser.  You will have to follow the wire from inside the switch to the starter.  Is there a safety switch built into the seat so that you have to be sitting to start it? Sounds like a place for trouble

Justin Case · Answer

Sounds like one of the safety switches is about to fail altogether. As you know there are several. One on the seat is easy to check.

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My John Deere Z375R zero turn mower will not start?

4 Answers