starting problem on JD GX345

[Rebs]

When I go to start my JD GX345, I turn the key and just get a click on 3 or 4 tries, then it starts. Does this sound like a starter solenoid or the starter itself ?
I checked and cleaned the battery cable connections and the connections on the starter.
A second thing I noticed is that since the temps have been a little lower here that when I engage the mower blades for the first time it almost stalls the motor. I never noticed this with my old JD, but this one is liquid cooled. Do you have to wait a while for the motor to warm up or could something be wrong with the mower deck ? I greased all the pulleys.

 

[beenthere]

Rebs
I'd suggest time for a new battery, and when starting the mower deck hit the choke at the same time. Works for me on my 425 upon cold starts of the mower deck and blower. When warmed up, no problem starting the mower deck without choking.

 

[DrBill]

Well, in all my situations where this same thing you described has happened it has been an internal starter open circuit.. The other issues like bad connections, solenoid etc happen too, but they usually don't start working on their own after a few clicks unless you stop and twist or bang on some wires first..

What generally is happening in this case is,,, you hear the click,, the starter actually does move a fraction (sometimes backwards) you can't tell this at all... But after a few clicks the armature has moved just enough to pick up an active poll and viola,,,, it cranks and starts....

I noticed a lot of aftermarket sellers of parts for this FD6 series of engines always have a lot of starters for sale..

 

[mechanic327]

Go to John Deere dealer and tell them you need a starter relay kit. It is under 30 dollars and is easy to install. This will solve your problem by providing a full 12 volts at the trigger wire on the solenoid. Very common problem on Deeres. I've installed hundres over the years.

 

[Rebs]

Thank you guys for the replies, I appreciate it. The problem has become a 1 click problem now, it only clicks once and then starts. Before it was clicking 3 or 4 times before it started. I'll start with the relay switch since it is an inexpensive part and see if that fixes it.

 

[buickanddeere]

Is the battery a 340CCA unit ? All battery connections clean? Engine valve lash in spec? Is the battery charged or does the machine see a lot of low rpm putting around with frequent start stops?

 

[Rebs]

Is the battery a 340CCA unit ? All battery connections clean? Engine valve lash in spec? Is the battery charged or does the machine see a lot of low rpm putting around with frequent start stops?

yes I did clean the battery connections which were not real dirty anyway. Over the last few days I have started it every day, one click and then it starts

 

[Navasot]

The small relay/solenoid sounds to be going bad. They are usually located under the dash or seat .