John Deere 60 starter

Well my new to 60 won't engage the starter looks like the pervious owner put in a rebuilt starter it worked once to start it now it's like the push button on the starter not working any ideas thanks Howard

That starter is very heavy and you must be under the tractor on your back to remove it. Tight fit. Be careful and do not attempt it alone. Don

The switch contacts may be worn and or the post on the starter they contact could also be worn.
Might try adjusting the push rod to see if it will make it go again ? Otherwise that model the switch is on top and starter has to come out to inspect.

It must be in that switch on top of the starter I'll pull the starter how can you bench test that starter

Those mechanical saddle mount push starter switches can have burned pitted corroded contacts,,,,,,,,,the copper contact post out the starter can likewise be burned and pitted,,,,,,,,,and I've seen seen where the linkage and/or adjustment isn't allowing the button to be pushed down far enough or hard enough. However you have to get at and remove things to see that grrrrrrrrrrrrrr. Make sure all the cables and grounds and battery posts and connections are good n clean n tight as that can be the problem. When you try to start it if the battery voltage drops drastically the switch may be okay but the starter is bad or stuck. If there's not much voltage drop the switch or cables or connections may be the problem.

John T

One time, on my 60, the starter wouldn't engage. Took it out, cleaned the posts and switch contacts and it worked fine on the test bench I made. Put it all back in and zilch. Turned out that the cable to the battery had corrosion in it and was not passing current. New cable and problem solved. Something to check first before pulling the starter.

Check the end of the ground cable where it is bolted to the frame.

Make sure it is making good connection with "clean" metal.

Using a test light, check the end of the cable connected to the starter switch on the starting motor for a good connection.


If the light shines, then the ground cable and power cable are making good connections.

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#ff0000">CAUTION: Please be mindful of common safety steps; expressed or not.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>

Before you begin this troubleshooting method, make sure of the following:

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Lock both brakes.

Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

Remove the coil wire from both the coil and distributor.

Turn the gas off at the fuel filter.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]

If there is power at the starter switch, then push the button to engage the starting motor.

If the starting motor engages, then check and/or adjust the starting motor pedal and linkage.

After checking and/or adjusting the starting motor pedal and linkage, then push the starter pedal.

If the starting motor does NOT engage, then remove the starter switch and check for wear on the copper contact.


If the copper contact is severely worn on the edge, then it may not be making a good connection with the stud terminal on the starting motor.

Inspect the stud terminal on the starting motor.


If the stud terminal is severely worn, then it may not be making a good connection with the starter switch on the starting motor.

You might consider replacing one or both if they are severely worn.

"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]how can you bench test that starter[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]"

Remove the starting motor and connect the black jumper wire from the NEGATIVE battery terminal to ground the starting motor.

Connect the red jumper wire from the POSITIVE battery terminal <big>briefly</big> to the stud terminal on the starting motor.

If the starting motor engages, then replace either or both the starter switch and stud terminal.

If the starting motor does not engage, then make necessary repairs to the starting motor or replace the starting motor.

Hope this helps.