John Deere 111 starting problem

[MattRichWarren]

My John Deere 111 is older than I am and I've had to do a lot of work on it but I'm far from an expert. The last time I used the mower it stopped running and I thought it was the battery so I charged it. Now when I go to start the thing, I hear a single click and that's it. I took off the starter cover and the plastic gear is fine. What should I try next?

Thanks for your help!

Matt

 

[reynoldston]

My John Deere 111 is older than I am and I've had to do a lot of work on it but I'm far from an expert. The last time I used the mower it stopped running and I thought it was the battery so I charged it. Now when I go to start the thing, I hear a single click and that's it. I took off the starter cover and the plastic gear is fine. What should I try next?

Thanks for your help!

Matt

Start from the beginning. Battery, battery cables, connections. You charged the battery but did it hold the charge? Always start small and work up to the bigger things.

 

[MattRichWarren]

Start from the beginning. Battery, battery cables, connections. You charged the battery but did it hold the charge? Always start small and work up to the bigger things.

The connections and cables all look fine. I think the battery is holding a charge and I even tried to turn over the engine using a jump start. It's always just the single click.

I should note that I installed a trickle charger last summer when the battery wouldn't recharge while I was mowing. Right now I'm using a Die Hard battery charger to fulyl charge the battery.

 

[Carscw]

I have had the same problem on mowers and most of the time it is a bad ground.

Make sure the starter solenoid has a good ground. And the battery to frame ground is good and clean.

 

[MattRichWarren]

Could this connection under the battery be the problem?

 

[Carscw]

Could this connection under the battery be the problem? <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachments/small-engine-mower-repair/22490-john-deere-111-starting-problem-20140731_163107-jpg"/>

I would clean it up and scrape where it bolts to the frame.

 

[MattRichWarren]

I would clean it up and scrape where it bolts to the frame.

I cleaned it up where it bolts to the frame and in the process found that the diode was cracked so I ordered a new one and put it on today. Still the same problem. I turn the key, I get a single click as the starter moves but apparently doesn't have a strong enough jolt to actually start the thing. Any more suggestions?

 

[reynoldston]

You said you charged the battery, did it hold a charge? What is the voyage at the starter when you try to start it? You will need to test some things here. You can buy a cheap meter to test your voltage for less then 5 dollars.

 

[MattRichWarren]

You said you charged the battery, did it hold a charge? What is the voyage at the starter when you try to start it? You will need to test some things here. You can buy a cheap meter to test your voltage for less then 5 dollars.

The battery is holding the charge.

 

[MattRichWarren]

I used my voltage tester to check the starter connection on the solenoid, as well. When I turned the ignition, I got a charge there, as well.

In my basic understanding of this, that means a few things:
- Not the battery.
- Not the connections to the solenoid.
- Not the solenoid.

If that's all correct, what do I do next?