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John Deere L120 tractor won't start

16 years ago

I have a 4 year old John Deere L120 tractor. I haven't used it in about 3 weeks because it has been so dry. I was going to mow today and it would not start. It was trying to crank but would not turn over. I cleaned the battery terminals, replaced the spark plugs, made sure the air filter was clean, and checked the fuel filter to make sure it wasn't plugged. The last time I used it, it would not start and I pulled the spark plugs out and dried them out and it started right up. Does anyone have any suggestions before I call the dealer?

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Comment (1)

mownie
16 years ago
It was "trying to crank but would not turn over" This statement gives a clue to a symptom of "dead battery". However, your terminology might be somewhat off. The term "turn over" only means that the starter is spinning the engine, it does not mean the engine has started as a result of being "cranked" by the starter. The terms "crank" and "turn over" mean the same thing....to rotate or spin the engine. If your statement could be "The engine cranks or turns over but will not start up and run." to describe the problem, then we would need to look at something other than a dead battery. Please post as to what the symptoms are again.
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Bad solenoid? If you jumper across the solenoid terminals will the engine turn over? Load tested the battery or tried jumping from a good one? Lights coming on doesn't necessarily mean "good." Can you turn the engine over by hand? e.g. hand on the screen on top of the flywheel. Any noise at all when you attempt to start it, "whirs, clicks, etc?" Check the oil for presence of gas (hydro lock). Starter circuit is very simple, +12Volts to the coil of the soenoid, contacts close and +12V from the battery to the starter, admittedly, the "permissives" (all the switches you've replaced) come into play. Also seen key switches or connections go bad. Either preventing the solenoid from being energized or if the engine is running to interrupt the ignition killing the engine. I'd try jumping across the solenoid contacts first, or just take a jumper wire (at least 10AWG) and put +12V onto the starter terminal and see if the engine spins. If successful, move back from there and jumper +12V to the coil of the solenoid, if it clicks and the engine spins, something is not permitting (permissives) the voltage to get there. Also check to see if the mounting bolts of the starter are tight as they are the ground connection. If you don't have a meter, now would be the time. Actually, a test light which indicates presence or absence of +12V would be adequate. Good luck, Ev
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