2510 gasser won't stay running

Here's the rundown:
Bought this tractor a little over a month ago. Ran pretty well aside from no low idle. Used it for about 30 minutes and then it started lugging. Topped off the gas assuming it ran out. It ran like crap after that.
So. I pulled the the carb, everything looked great. Thought it must be E10 making it run poorly, replaced the gas, then it started flooding itself, firing up, running poor, shutting off. So I ditched the electric fuel pump the previous owner rigged and put a Lifte pump back on. Also switched to electronic ignition, replaced plugs, more gap, etc. Now it fires right up, runs for a few seconds and shuts clean off. Fuel bowl isn't empty, still has spark when I try restarting. So then I started cleaning up the wiring nightmare the previous owner left me with. Now it starts even stronger, I eliminated an issue I had with the starter tripping itself, but it still won't stay running, sometimes it shuts off with the starter, it don't run without the starter.
I bypassed the breaker, ignition switch, you name it. Still won't work right.

Please someone tell me what I'm missing.
I was positive it was an ignition issue since it just shut off with no sputtering, but i have spark still. One of the advance springs in thr distributor is broken, and it was in rough shape so I'm waiting on a new dist.

When.it.does fire up and run without the starter staying on, it won't restart for a while. Can't be condenser since I went electronic. Maybe I'm just now getting enough spark and it's a tired dizzy?

Any and all ideas welcome.[/u][/list]

Bad ceramic resistor?

sounds like a vacum leak , spray some carb cleaner around all intakes

(quoted from post at 18:23:50 06/19/11)
Bad ceramic resistor?

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Where's the ceramic resistor?

(quoted from post at 18:47:06 06/19/11) sounds like a vacum leak , spray some carb cleaner around all intakes

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There's only one intake hose, I'm not even sure this tractor has any vacuum lines to speak of. I'll check it out though.

I'm still second guessing the carb, might set the float a little rich and see what happens

Keep em coming fellas. I've lurked on this board for a while. I know someone has the answer.

I'm not sure....your problem sounds like a car I once knew about. It would run as long as the starter was engaged....then it would die. The ceramic resistor on the firewall was bad.

The closest thing I can find on jdparts would be called a circuit breaker....located down by the key switch. AR28403 is the part number. I wouldn't take my word for it....I'm not a mechanic...haven't ever stayed in a Motel 6. I'm sure someone can come along on here and help you with better knowledge of John Deeres. Good luck.

(quoted from post at 20:29:35 06/19/11)
I'm not sure....your problem sounds like a car I once knew about. It would run as long as the starter was engaged....then it would die. The ceramic resistor on the firewall was bad.

The closest thing I can find on jdparts would be called a circuit breaker....located down by the key switch. AR28403 is the part number. I wouldn't take my word for it....I'm not a mechanic...haven't ever stayed in a Motel 6. I'm sure someone can come along on here and help you with better knowledge of John Deeres. Good luck.

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I Gotcha, I actually tried bypassing that with no luck. I figured that had to be it, disconnected from it, held the terminals together, cranked it, shut. Off with the starter. Ugh......

Whats the compression of the engine?

Do you KNOW that the line from the bottom of the tank to the pump is open, with a good flow?
I don't recall that tractor having a resistor, but my memory isn't what it used to be!
If the electrical is as cobbed as you say ,I wonder if it isn't in the wiring somewhere?

Yes, when.I ditches.the electric pump I had to redo the fuel lines. Put.in a filter.to and the tank line was dumping fuel the whole time it was disconnected. Took no time to prime the pump, fuel filter stays wet, fuel bowl is full at start up

(quoted from post at 08:59:35 06/20/11) Whats the compression of the engine?

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Haven't fully checked it. When I was checking spark on each cylinder there was plenty blowing out of the empty spark plug hole. I know that's a little arbitrary but it was a pretty solid indication that there is enough compression to sustain combustion.

Tonight I'm going to check the float again just to be sure.

If it runs with stater engaged, fuel system should be okay. Turn key to run position, ( assuming + ground system ) check - side of coil for power with test light. If no power their put jumper to it from bat. Now try to start, if it stays running when starter disengages it a wiring problem. If does not run with jumper wire attached its either coil or electronic module.

(quoted from post at 10:41:14 06/20/11) If it runs with stater engaged, fuel system should be okay. Turn key to run position, ( assuming + ground system ) check - side of coil for power with test light. If no power their put jumper to it from bat. Now try to start, if it stays running when starter disengages it a wiring problem. If does not run with jumper wire attached its either coil or electronic module.

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It's a negative ground. Today I had it running without keeping the starter engaged. I rebuilt the top end of the starter and that seemed to do the trick, still shuts off quickly. Pulled the load jet at the bottom of the bowl and gas slowly dripped out, used to stream out, so I think I have some air in the lines that I need to pump out.

At this point so many small issues have popped up, my head is spinning and I am second guessing everything. Between the overpowering electric fuel pump, bad points, fouled plugs, bad gas, bad wiring, and funky starter, everything has been removed, replaced or rebuilt, Haha.

I think I'm just back to basics now. I've ruled out a lot of thr wiring and ignition with thr new coil, electronics, cap, plugs.
Anyone near Montgomery al that wants to come over and offer a fresh perspective?

It's running again! Pulled the carb apart and saw I set the float WAY off. Fixed that, primed the lines, and she's back! Started off with ignition problems, finished with user error....

What.hydraulic fluid are folks running in these things I can hear it whining like it's low and I didn't have steering or tranny at first when it cranked.