JD GT235 tractor starting problems

banjerpicker · Apr 15, 2011

I am trying to help a single mom get her lawn tractor running. I has an 18hp B&S engine twin. It turns over just fine but will not start. I pulled the plugs and shot starter fluid in the plug holes but it would not fire or start to run. Pulled the plugs and they were wet so I know I got fluid in there. Turning it over without plugs seems to have plenty of compression just holding my hand over the plug hole.
Could there be a safety switch that will allow it to turn over but not start. Seat switch is good, has over 11 volts across when switch is own.
I did put a plug tester on each plug today. Right side had a bright spark but the left side was very week and just barely visible. Could this be the problem and If so, got any solutions that I might check?
I can't find the safety switch for the engage mower (pto) but would it turn over if it was bad?
Thanks for your help
Larry

pennwalk · Apr 20, 2011

Do you have the Manual for the tractor. On my 275 you have to be in the seat with the brake engaged and the pto off. I think the pto stitch is what the system reads. I was at an auction where a bunch of guys were trying to get a JD lawn tractor started. They pulled a wire connector going into the engine which they said defeated the saftey switches.

Chris

banjerpicker · Apr 20, 2011

Hey Chris
thanks for the reply. I am assuming the safety switches are function correctly or I would not be getting spark to the engine at all.....which I assume it would start when it got spark after I put starter fluid in the plug holes, plugs were wet when I pulled them just afterwards so I know it got fuel......right or wrong????
some folks locally are telling me it's ignition module but I don't understand why one plug would fire and the other just sorta fire, unless there are two modules. I need to pull the shroud and check

If you PTO is engaged will your engine even turn over?

thanks

Larry