Starter question

[PTmowerMech]

John Deere GT235, with Briggs 350777 1137-F1

Nothing coming from the key, so I put the jumper on it, crossed the solenoid with a screw driver. The gear spins very strong. But it's not coming up to engage the flywheel. I used a 90 degree pick to get under the gear and pulled it up. And it came up without having to pry it. It wasn't stuck on anything. When I remove the pick, it goes back in place a little slow. But within about 2 seconds its back back where it starts.

I've never messed with these. Is there a reason it's spinning fine, but not going up?

 

[Hammermechanicman]

If the battery polarity is reversed the starter will spin but the gear will not come up because the starter is spinning the wrong way.

 

[Rivets]

If the polarity is correct, the bendix drive is worn and needs to be replaced.

 

[PTmowerMech]

If the polarity is correct, the bendix drive is worn and needs to be replaced.

That would keep the plunger from pushing the gear up?
This is the starter.

 

[Rivets]

With starter mounted solenoids, the contacts inside the solenoid may be corroded or worn. I used to rebuild them but because it was getting harder and expensive to get parts, I stopped. Many time the cheapest fix is to replace the starter.

 

[StarTech]

This is a solenoid shifter. You can't just jumper the two large terminals. Try jumping the battery side large terminal to the trigger terminal. IF it works read the following.

Back several years ago JD had problems with solenoid shift starters not working correctly. (Kohler engines but the same can apply here). This requires an addition of a relay to the trigger circuit as there is too much of a voltage drop in the normal wiring harness. I can post a diagram if needed of the circuit needed.

 

[ILENGINE]

That would keep the plunger from pushing the gear up?
This is the starter.
View attachment 51005

That type of solenoid not only energizes the starter like the normal mower type starter but also pushes the starter gear into contact with the flywheel. If that fails it can act like the normal solenoid that you see most of the time, or if the gear doesn't go to the fully engaged position can also give the same symptoms. Think automotive style starters.

 

[ILENGINE]

With starter mounted solenoids, the contacts inside the solenoid may be corroded or worn. I used to rebuild them but because it was getting harder and expensive to get parts, I stopped. Many time the cheapest fix is to replace the starter.

On the Kohler shift starters at one time the price difference between the solenoid and the complete starter was $16. $171 solenoid on a $187 starter.

 

[PTmowerMech]

So can I just replace the solenoid on this?

BTW, the brushes in these are easier to put back in, that the normal small engine starters.

 

[StarTech]

Yes PN 825418 138 usd list. Starter is 261 usd list.