john deere 318 starter replacement

[fergs2000]

I believe my starter is faulty on my jd318. I applied jumper from battery on car to starter-and it did nothing. So, I believe my starter has to be pulled. I am trying to find some advice and very good -step by step- instructions on pulling engine, or tilting engine to remove the starter. I have read some postings that have not provided any basis steps-only that engine is hard to pull; tilt engine; engine is not hard to pull; opted to not disengage drive shaft; etc. Can someone provide more information on lifting or tilting engine on my JD 318 to remove starter- or tell where I can locate basic instructions. thanks very much.

 

[EastTexFrank]

I believe my starter is faulty on my jd318. I applied jumper from battery on car to starter-and it did nothing. So, I believe my starter has to be pulled. I am trying to find some advice and very good -step by step- instructions on pulling engine, or tilting engine to remove the starter. I have read some postings that have not provided any basis steps-only that engine is hard to pull; tilt engine; engine is not hard to pull; opted to not disengage drive shaft; etc. Can someone provide more information on lifting or tilting engine on my JD 318 to remove starter- or tell where I can locate basic instructions. thanks very much.

It's been a long, long time since I owned a 318 but once, for no apparent reason, it just died. I was using it, stopped to get a drink and couldn't get it started again. After dicking with it for a few hours, I eventually called the dealership and they sent out a mechanic. Actually, he was on his way home and stopped in by to give me an opinion. He had it fixed in about 5 minutes. It seems that there was an in-line fuse that is hidden away somewhere that I couldn't see or find. Now, you're going to ask me where that fuse is and, for the life of me, I can't remember. It might be worth finding out though before you start ripping things apart.

 

[fergs2000]

Yea- that's about what happened. Accept, when I got back in the saddle and attempted to start the tractor, I let off the key just slightly and the engine began to wind down. I quickly turned the key, before the engine stopped winding down, and nothing happened. This had happened before, accept this time, it did not start. It clicked like yours did. But, I was told to attach a jumper cable from battery directly to starter to test starter. Well, I did this and nothing happened. So, is this test valid, or is the fuse or other parts still a possibility for not starting. thanks.

 

[TCforty]

We had a 318 for quite a while too, before trading for a 235. After reading your post I remember having a starting problem with ours. It was a while ago, but I think it had to do with not getting enough power to the starter, and it was fixed by a kit from Deere (must have been a known problem). As I remember the repair was to change or add a section of the wiring harness to the starter. It just was a simple job, and cured the problem. The 318 was, I think, a better tractor than what we have now in most respects. In any case I think I'd put 12v power right to the starter and see if it spins (if you havn't already) before I replaced it. Good luck.

 

[fergs2000]

We had a 318 for quite a while too, before trading for a 235. After reading your post I remember having a starting problem with ours. It was a while ago, but I think it had to do with not getting enough power to the starter, and it was fixed by a kit from Deere (must have been a known problem). As I remember the repair was to change or add a section of the wiring harness to the starter. It just was a simple job, and cured the problem. The 318 was, I think, a better tractor than what we have now in most respects. In any case I think I'd put 12v power right to the starter and see if it spins (if you havn't already) before I replaced it. Good luck.

I have connected 12 volt to starter and nothing happened. I connected a jumper to my car battery hot and connected to starter power connection and nothing happened. So, I believe starter is bad and needs repair. I need some advice on tilting, pulling or moving engine to get to starter. thanks.

 

[Ken Cunningham]

I could be missunderstanding your post, but did you only connect the hot wire to the starter and not the ground wire also?

 

[Wayne_H]

If you need to change the starter, don't stress on it, I can have mine out in less than thirty minutes. Take the shield off the bottom of the frame (about 16-20 self tapping hex screws) Remove the bolts from the engine to the shaft going to the pump, disconnect the throttle, choke, take the hood and sides off, remove the four engine bolts and now you own the engine in your lap.

But, I've only had my 318 now for 20 some years, I'd first make sure the engine and starter have a good clean ground, make sure you have 12 volts going to the starter on crank, and make sure you have 12 volts in the battery.

Good luck!

Wayne

 

[fergs2000]

You did not misunderstand what i said about connecting jumper cable- it sounds like i didnt do this right. I connected the red cable to main starter bolt on back, and other red cable to my car battery. Based on your reply, i guess im doing some thing or things wrong. Please advise on correct way to jump my starter- including using my car as sure 12 volt, and proper gounding. thanks.

 

[fergs2000]

Thanks for advice on pulling engine. If the advice on jumping starter to battery proves a faulty starter, I will use your instructions on pulling engine. This sounds like something I can do with your step by step instructions. The only thing I wasnt clear on is the bolts to the " bolts from the engine to the shaft going to the pump. Are you talking about the bolts from fly wheel to the drive shaft? Please clarify this particular step. thanks.

 

[fergs2000]

Nice looking 318. What is that black covering you have on tray footing?

 

[HeavyHitch]

I have a 318 and had the same issue you did and all I had to do was replace a faulty solinoid. Was the starter making any funny noises before when it was working or did it just stop altogether? I don't think your starter is bad.

 

[Wayne_H]

Yes, I meant the bolts from the flywheel to the drive shaft. The black stuff where the feet go? I took it to linex and for 25 dollars or something they put linex where the foot pads go. The original design had the pads, but the sides of your feet still rubbed the edges and the paint wore off. Yea, I'm ****....

later

Wayne

 

[superiorpower]

Proper jump starting method:

1. Attach the positive (red) on the the starter lead bolt. This is the bolt where the red starter cable is attached to. See photo.

2. Attach other end of read cable to the positive battery post on the vehicle.

3. Attach one end of black cable to either the negative battery post or a good frame or engine block contact (preferably somewhere with no paint).

4. Lightly touch the 2nd end of the black cable to the vehicle engine, frame, or negative battery post. If it sparks a lot, something was attached wrong.

It may be worth your time to take it to someone who knows how to do it. And possibly the best to have someone do the work if you are not familiar with these terms.

for fits and giggles, here is a link that shows you how to jump start a vehicle which is slightly different but still similar.

 

[Tandem160]

Don't sweat lifting the motor. I did it and this was my first ever experiance with kind of thing. I think I paid around $175 for a rebuilt starter?? I really don't remember but it wasn't cheap. I can't give step by step details ..just encouragement...jump on in there and get 'r' done!!

 

[WAYOUTWEST]

for those yet to come with questions like I had about 318 starter replacement - FINALLY, some step by step replacement instructions - :thumbsup:

My steps taken to replace a starter in 1983 JD 318 with an Onan B43G Engine & Bendix starter

THERE IS AN IMPLIED "REMOVE" before each sentence

1. battery posts (negative then positive) then loosen neg cable from engine and draw negative cable thru firewall as you will be tilting the engine later

2. battery and battery tray(4x bolts -2x right and 2x left) this is done to access / disconnect 4x bolts holding the drive shaft to the flywheel assembly

3. mower deck, front grill, and the front pulley block assembly

4. 4x bolts(2 left, 2x right) on vertical/upright posts that attach to hidden frame dog ears / this upright is used as support for front of hood. Note - not the 4x bolts above muffler used to attach the hood to the upright. Now disconnect wire block for head lights.

5. Grasp and lift the u-shaped structure while holding onto the hood too, then tilt slightly forward as you are lifting and it will slide off the 8" frame ears holding the structure in place

6. turn off fuel valve and then at the fuel pump(on right side of motor near fire wall), remove the fuel line and route it back through the fire wall

7. choke and throttle cables (also pull these back thru the firewall) for less inhibited access to the driveshaft union

8. 4x bolts on drive shaft where it attaches to flywheel mount point. Large screwdriver helpful to hold shaft or put it in gear and set brake. Note there's a line on the flywheel mount point -it aligns with one of the screw positions. Use this indicator later to start your first bolt when reinstalling the shaft

9. left / driver side engine cover (it's the one encompassing the spark plug). I found zero need to remove any other covers incl. the flywheel enclosure

10. nut on front of starter + the positive battery cable lead

11. 4x engine mount bolts - the two up front require a wrench for the topside and socket + extension for the underside the two rear are removed from the bottom side and require you to remove the screen on the bottom of the frame - remove the screws with a very very small socket or standard screwdriver(totals of approx 10x screws)



12. Finally, carefully tilt the engine from the left side towards the right side to a stable resting point. While holding the motor, remove, with a wrench, the two bolts attaching the starter to the engine

13. install the new or rebuilt starter and reverse the instructions (last step to first) and you'll be up and running!

useful tools - standard screwdriver, sockets: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16 swivel head attachment socket, + open/box wrenches: 7/16, 1/2, 9/16

local dealer wanted $600 for their new starter, 3rd party was $119