Hi,

Working on a John Deere F525 front mower. Tractor will start great 3 times out of 10. The other times it makes a single click sound. I checked the small wire on the starter. When I turn the key to start and it just clicks, I try it a few more times and it will start right up like it should. The solenoid does get power when I turn the key to the start position. The test light seems to be dimmer when it doesn't start and really bright when it does start. I removed the starter and cleaned all the connections on the starter and battery cables. Cleaned the grounding terminal. Battery is fully charged. Does this sound like it needs the starter improvement relay AM107421? I have read about these, but never installed one.

John Deere F525 MOF525A152538
Kawasaki 17 hp PA540A-BS02

 

Are you getting power to the starter motor when you hit the key but it doesn't start? If so, the brushes need replacing. If not, the relay may well fix the problem.

 

I get power to the small wire (with the test light) on the solenoid when it does start and when it doesn't start. So you are saying the starter needs replaced? It just acts like it has a dead spot.

Thank you

 

No, not the starter solenoid, the starter motor. Do you get power at the starter motor itself?

 

How do I check that? The only two wires that I see to test go to the solenoid.

 

One short wire goes from the solenoid to the starter. That one.

 

Thanks for teaching me about testing the copper wire going to the starter from the solenoid. Didn't know about doing that. When I turn the key to the start position and get the click sound, there is no power to the starter motor using the test light. When it does start, I get power to the starter motor. So is the starter relay sound like the way to go?

Thank you

 

Check the starter gear when trying to start it. If it's moving upwards but not much when it doesn't start, then the relay kit may help.

 

You may have burned contacts in the solenoid. Disconnect the starter cable from the solenoid and check for current on that side. If no current consistently you may just need to replace the solenoid.

 

Marbobj.... this one has a different type of solenoid. The gear has to come up on the starter in order for the solenoid contacts to connect. It's a deere problem mostly. Mainly the deeres with kawasakis.

 

Thanks Cheese. Haven't seen one of those animals. Must be a good idea though if it's on a JD.