**This thread/message is also posted on TractorByNet. I joined that forum before I found this one.**
Hi all. I'm new to the forum but have been reading posts for a while.
I have a John Deere 345 lawn mower and I can't engage the PTO. A little background might be in order:
Last week while cutting grass, the mower just quit running. No reason, it just quit like I turned the key off. Gas is ok, oil level ok, all fluids ok. Changed the spark plugs, changed the fuel filter, cleaned the air filter, no help. After reading the forum, changed the Time Delay Module (P/N AM128906, $19.23) but still no help. Next, I changed the Ignition Module (P/N AM132500, $96.17). Original Ignition Module had no LED's, this newer one has 2 LED's on it: one red and one green. This will come into play later in the story. This time mower started right up! Back in business. Started cutting grass again but after several cycles of the PTO on and off, it would not engage any more. Talked to someone at an online parts store and he said that with the engine off, you should hear a clicking sound when you pull up on the PTO switch. Tried that, no clicking sound. Figured the PTO switch was bad so I ordered one from the local John Deere store, it'll be in tomorrow morning (8/9/12)
UPDATE on Thursday, 8/9/12:
Changed the PTO switch (P/N AM127394, $18.64). Pulled up on the switch and this time I heard a clicking sound! Great! Also, now both green and red LED's lit up. Put the deck back on and PTO engaged, blades are turning! Finally. Started cutting grass again. However, after 10 minutes or so, blades disengaged! Tried engaging PTO with switch and got nothing. Opened up hood, looked at Ignition Module and now only green LED light is on, no red. Does anyone know what the red LED light on the Ignition Module means? When is it supposed to be on? When is it supposed to be off? Apparently, it has something to do with the PTO switch. Any help will be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Phil
Hi all. I'm new to the forum but have been reading posts for a while.
I have a John Deere 345 lawn mower and I can't engage the PTO. A little background might be in order:
Last week while cutting grass, the mower just quit running. No reason, it just quit like I turned the key off. Gas is ok, oil level ok, all fluids ok. Changed the spark plugs, changed the fuel filter, cleaned the air filter, no help. After reading the forum, changed the Time Delay Module (P/N AM128906, $19.23) but still no help. Next, I changed the Ignition Module (P/N AM132500, $96.17). Original Ignition Module had no LED's, this newer one has 2 LED's on it: one red and one green. This will come into play later in the story. This time mower started right up! Back in business. Started cutting grass again but after several cycles of the PTO on and off, it would not engage any more. Talked to someone at an online parts store and he said that with the engine off, you should hear a clicking sound when you pull up on the PTO switch. Tried that, no clicking sound. Figured the PTO switch was bad so I ordered one from the local John Deere store, it'll be in tomorrow morning (8/9/12)
UPDATE on Thursday, 8/9/12:
Changed the PTO switch (P/N AM127394, $18.64). Pulled up on the switch and this time I heard a clicking sound! Great! Also, now both green and red LED's lit up. Put the deck back on and PTO engaged, blades are turning! Finally. Started cutting grass again. However, after 10 minutes or so, blades disengaged! Tried engaging PTO with switch and got nothing. Opened up hood, looked at Ignition Module and now only green LED light is on, no red. Does anyone know what the red LED light on the Ignition Module means? When is it supposed to be on? When is it supposed to be off? Apparently, it has something to do with the PTO switch. Any help will be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Phil
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