Starter removal on John Deere 3203

Herman M · Mar 23, 2018

My tractor won't start, and I believe I've eliminated everything except a problem with the starter itself. I removed the 2(?) bolts holding it in place, and it doesn't want to budge. Do I get rough with it, or is something else holding it in place. It's in a pretty tight spot, and I may be overlooking something.

Rock knocker · Mar 23, 2018

Parts diagrams show just two bolts. Get rough

Dave M7040 · Mar 23, 2018

Herman M said:
My tractor won't start, and I believe I've eliminated everything except a problem with the starter itself. I removed the 2(?) bolts holding it in place, and it doesn't want to budge. Do I get rough with it, or is something else holding it in place. It's in a pretty tight spot, and I may be overlooking something.

How did you get to the point of condemning the starter? The starter relies on contact with the block to get it's ground path. Many tractors have rust build up and slowly there is no longer a good ground.

The fact that your starter is difficult to remove suggests a rust issue.

Buy a battery cable with eyes on each end. Clean up the area on the starter where a mounting bolt goes and then secure one end of the new cable.

Find where the battery negative cable is connected to the engine or frame. Remove and clean, then attach the other end of your new cable here.

See if your symptoms improve.

Dave M7040