JD 6x4 gator will not start or crank

Hello to All,

Have a 1998 JD gator that is pretty well maintained and kept in a shed.

Last time is used it, 1 week ago, it worked fine. yesterday I tried starting it and it did not turnover. The sound it made was the same sound that if you turned it off and left it in gear, then try to start it. I made sure it was not in gear and then even pushed it to just make sure the gears were not engaged. I turned on the lights and they lit up brightly.

Did not have the time to troubleshoot, but made sure the s-plugs were all snug, battery cables snug and not corroded - it seems to be getting a good charge otherwise the lights would not have lit so well.

I'll be back out tomorrow and was hoping I could get your feedback w some things to try. I will post back with what I find out either way.

Thank you very much for your help,
tstex

Probably a relay or solenoid.

How do I troubleshoot this and what diagnostic tools do I need? Thank you

A hammer.

Hit the starter with it and if it then starts you need expensive parts or cheap brushes. Mother Deere will sell you $600 starter. You really are on your own to find cheap brushes.

I'm not kidding a bit. All you can hope for is that a Gator has a cheaper starter than a 500 Buck Auto 4x4. $589 before taxes.

(quoted from post at 11:07:16 09/13/16) How do I troubleshoot this and what diagnostic tools do I need? Thank you

Click to expand...

Not sure about your Gator and I don't want to insult you but I worked for 2 hours trouble shooting my Ranger and then remembered you have to have your foot on the brake before it will crank, Just a thought..

listen to the starter when you try to start it to see if the starter motor is running but not engaging the flywheel,from what I read that sounds like what is happening,if so the starter drive shift fork is broken they are plastic, or the starter drive(bendix) has failed ,either way the parts can be found other than jd with their ridiculous prices, you have to match them up with the Kawasaki ones,i just ran into the fork breaking on ours and jd doesn't list a replacement only a new starter but the local small engine shop had a used one that the pivot was opposite of the one I had but I switched bases and was back in business for $10 also replace the brushes and springs got them from a local rebuilder,if you need a bendix I found one from jack's small engine on the internet for around $35 if I remember correct, local jd dealer $90

also meant to mention don't hit that starter with a hammer it has magnets instead of field coils and it is possible to break or dislodge one of the magnets then you can start looking for a starter

Thank you very much gbs...I appreciate your insight and parts/pricing options. There's a definite reason why john deere tractors are $green$

If you have a gator, put it in either F or R gears, then try to start it. That is the sound it is making in neutral. Is the fly-wheel, if left in gear, disengaged from the starter? If so, then this could be the problem. The starter is not making the clicking sound that is heard on a weak battery. But, just for good measures, I'm going to pull and charge batter and clean cables..a lot of dust on them for sure...I'm going to try and get out there today. If I do, I'll post back, or I will this weekend for sure. Thanks again

Also, on the 98 6x4 gators, you do not have to press the brake to start, no offense taken - sometimes the easiest solutions stare you in the face, but this is not one of them. I wish it was. I also give the starter a light tap - I know what you mean about re-engaging if that's it or the solenoid is shot.

Thanks again to all,
tstex

Probably the starter solenoid/bendix. I have had two 4x6's and both of them did it. Turn the key and you hear a loud click. On mine if you turned the key enough times, it would finally start, but a real pain. Seems they must be notorious for this.

Here's my game plan...

I'm going to take jumper cables and bypass the relay and direct connect the starter to the hot/red side of battery...if it cranks, it's the relay; if not, the starter.

For good measures, I've heard that if the valves are working it could be compression locked. I'm going to take the s-plugs out and try cranking it...it is cranks, then it's that...if not. I'm back to electrical..

I am going out so I will try post back when I find out something.

Thanks again for everyone's help,
tstex

Check Ebay for a replacement starter. I bought one from there for about $75 with shipping. It fir perfectly and it has been working fine for over a year.

Ok guys, I found the problem...I'm going to first preface it with that I have 2 tractors, 2 riding lawn-mowers, 6x4 G, 4 chainsaws, tiller, weed-eater, push-lawn mower, etc.

I was trying to bypass the relay first to test if it was relay or starter. It was so dusty that I got my vacuum was extension handle and brush and started cleaning. for good measures, I pulled the battery to just clean terminals and do a quick charge...when I cleaned the battery up, it said [6/10]...I then went and looked at one of the riding lawn mowers and it had the identical battery w [3/14]...I got the 2 confused on the last replacement. When I turned on the gator headlights, they really burned bright...it was the CCA's that was shot. after charging, it still would not start, then I jumped it to the truck and it started...I felt like a dumbaxx for getting the two confused, but was relieved I was not facing a $500 starter.

Well, went and got a new identical battery and it fired-up immediately...sorry for the false alarm. But, pulling my tractor out, one of the upper cylinders on the front-end-loader started to leak hydraulic fluid...got a quote to replace the seals in all four of them: $492 for all seals and labor...I guess the money is going to leave one-way or another, but not to deere this time. I had four things go bad in one day: galvanized pipe from well-house to home sprung a leak, Stihl HT-101 Pole chainaw primer ball broke, gator would not start and tractors front-end loader hydraulics started leaking...I fixed leak, then gator, and working on the last two this weekend.

Thanks for everyone's help - tstex