skip to main content

John Deere SX75 Won't Start

16 years ago

My SX75 won't start. The problem started with it blowing the 15A fuse when I turned the key on. I have been trying to trouble shoot the problem by checking for a short. In the process of doing the checking, the fuse quit blowing (I don't know why). The starter won't turn with the key switch, and I don't have the neutral start light coming on when I turn the key on. I wiggled the gear lever, but the light won't come on. Can I short the neutral start harness to get it to start if the neutral start switch is bad? The starter turns over when I jump the solenoid, so it is working. I can also jump the connecter at the starter switch and get the starter to turn over. I installed a new starter switch thinking it was bad, but it didn't solve the problem. If anyone out there can tell me what to check next, I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Jerry

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

bill_kapaun
16 years ago
Are you sure the fuse is good? It doesn't sound like it.
I don't have a schematic for this machine, so I can't help there.
Do you have a multi-meter to check voltages etc?
metal
16 years ago
I think bill is right. I have had brand new fuses test bad before. Eliminate that as a possibility first with a continuity check of the fuse.
Related Discussions
John Deere SX75 will not run ,, PLease help !!
Q
Comments (12)
I bought an aftermarket igniter and the mower runs great now !! The new one from ((http://www.rcpw.com/aftermarket/440465.asp )) cost $20.00 & works fine !! (NOTE , I did buy the John Deere one for $63.00 & it lasted exactly 20 minutes before expiring ) I mounted the new one by the run relay under the seat , by the battery (it comes with the necessary wiring) !! That John Deere has turned to junk aftermarket parts is sad , but true !! Wonder why they don't go for the aftermarket parts that are actually good and work ?? If anyone needs info , I did break down and buy the shop manual for this unit & will be glad to email the section to anyone with problems with sx , rx 70 or 90 series issues !! thanks , jeff Here is a link that might be useful: Kaw Igniter
...See More
John Deere 245 Won't Start (Kawasaki 14hp)
Q
Comments (25)
lawnboy1022 It sounds like it may have jumped time. To check you can use an ohms meter and have some one attempt to turn flywheel very slow while connecting one lead to spark plug wire end the other to ground. Turn flywheel watching when the contact on flywheel comes to position with coil you should see meter move? Also pulling engine cover look close at key that aliens flywheel if it appears it spun even a little that should be the problem!
...See More
John Deer STX38 won't start
Q
Comments (11)
Deere wiring diagrams don't actually tell where to look for an over-current device, at least not in words. And looking at a few STX diagrams online I see that Deere may even have used (on various production years) a fuse, or a circuit breaker, or even a fusible link...........to accomplish the same protection for this circuit. I can tell you in electrical terms where you will need to begin searching for whichever type of interrupter yours has, but you will still need to physically do the hunting. The fuse, circuit breaker, or the fusible link will be part of a circuit coming off of the BATTERY CABLE POST on the STARTER SOLENOID (not the solenoid starter cable post) . The circuit will be a small wire that is on the same post of the starter solenoid as the cable coming from the battery + post. If you can locate that wire and trace it you should find whatever your model uses. The circuit originates at the starter solenoid and ends at the key switch, and the circuit is in fact the hot feed for the key switch.
...See More
John Deere 180 won't start
Q
Comments (12)
I checked the solenoid on the carburetor by first verifying that there was power going to it when I turned on the key, then I removed it and held it up to a ground and energized it again. Nothing happened. I'm assuming that means the solenoid failed. Unless someone pipes in that I did't check this correctly, I'm going to order a new solenoid and report back after installing it. Thanks all... Jeff
...See More
jerry31
Original Author
16 years ago
I blew about 10 fuses trying to find the short, and the fuse in it now is good. I check them all with an ohm meter before putting them in because I also learned they can be bad. I believe I'm going to try jumping the neutral start switch and see if that will get it to turn on the light and crank. I tested all of the circuits to trace the wires, but I didn't find anything suspicious.
Jerry
tomplum
16 years ago
That really bites. I hate that when you try troubleshooting a short and it goes away. You're not specific on what terminals exactly you jump to get good things to happen. That may help. Some of these had 4 post solenoids which require a ground on one little terminal (safety) and 12v input from the switch to fire. The wire harness for the nps is in a tough spot, but it is a likely candidate for damage or a stuck ball in the switch itself. If all else works- this may have a funky relay that among other things turn on the little orange light.
jerry31
Original Author
16 years ago
The entire wiring harness is pretty easy to get at since I removed the body. This model has the red wire from the battery on one post of the solenoid, and it has the other red wire going directly to the starter. If I jump those two wires I obviously get the starter to turn. The purple wire on the solenoid that comes from the switch doesn't appear to be getting juice through the switch when I turn the key. I can jump the wires at the switch (red to purple, and the starter will turn. In the normal start mode, the neutral start switch (which I found out is normally open) is supposed to allow the light by the steering wheel to come on letting me know it's ready to start. That light doesn't come on even if I wiggle the gear lever to make sure it's in neutral. I haven't tried continuity on the neutral start switch yet to see if it is working properly. I plan to check for continuity and see if the switch actually opens and closes when I work the gear shift lever. I also need to remove the neutral start light bulb and make sure it's not burned out. I don't know how to check the relay if that is involved in the starter sequence. I'll just have to continue to tinker with this thing until I figure it out. I did replace the starter switch, but it checks out the same as the old one.

Thanks for the support. If you have any other ideas, I'm wide open for suggestions.
Jerry

Related Stories

REMODELING GUIDES You Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls

By Mitchell Parker

From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home

TREES 7 Deer-Resistant Flowering Trees to Plant this Fall

If you live in a neighborhood with roaming deer, consider these beautiful trees that won't tempt hungry guests

FALL GARDENING 9 Deer-Resistant Flowering Shrubs to Plant This Fall

These exquisite shrubs will attract your attention but won’t tempt the deer that roam your neighborhood at night

DECLUTTERING 5 Ways to Jump-Start a Whole-House Decluttering Effort

By Laura Gaskill

If the piles of paperwork and jampacked closets have you feeling like a deer in the headlights, take a deep breath and a baby step

CONTRACTOR TIPS 10 Things to Discuss With Your Contractor Before Work Starts

By Ventana Construction LLC

Have a meeting a week before hammers and shovels fly to make sure everyone’s on the same page

GARDENING GUIDES Oh, Deer! 10 Native Flowers That Stand Up to the Herds

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Keeping a garden amid hungry deer can be hard, but these plants should fare well

ARCHITECTURE See the Daring Experimentalist Who Won 2013's Pritzker Prize

Architecture's highest honor goes to someone with a diverse and complex body of work and a never-satisfied mind-set

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

FENCES AND GATES A Deer Fence Can Be Decorative as Well as Protective

You need a monster-size fence to shelter your garden from deer, but it doesn’t have to look like a monstrosity

KITCHEN DESIGN Stylish New Kitchen, Shoestring Budget: See the Process Start to Finish

By Becky Dietrich, Interior Designer

For less than $13,000 total — and in 34 days — a hardworking family builds a kitchen to be proud of

Sponsored

More Discussions

Mower Blade rotation

1