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Big Jay · Jul 22, 2009, 08:13 AM

:DI have a John Deere 318 been working on for a couple years finally got it going but will not engage the mower blades It used to run good and then it would just shut the blades off. I would let it cool off and start again and it would run the blades for awhile then quit. Now it won't kick in at all I put a new switch and voltage regulator on but it still won't kick in . Please help!!

crigby · Jul 22, 2009, 04:44 PM

Hi,
I know you would like to hear better news, but I would bet that it fried the coil on the clutch on the front of the engine. Some disassemble so that you can verify this. Have to buy the whole thing though.
You can check by having someone in the seat, switch on, engine not running, turn on switch. Clutch should clunk as it engages. Check for power under the same conditions by checking voltage from the blue (I think) wire to ground.
Peace,
Clarke

Big Jay · Jul 29, 2009, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by crigby

Hi,
I know you would like to hear better news, but I would bet that it fried the coil on the clutch on the front of the engine. Some disassemble so that you can verify this. Have to buy the whole thing though.
You can check by having someone in the seat, switch on, engine not running, turn on switch. Clutch should clunk as it engages. Check for power under the same conditions by checking voltage from the blue (I think) wire to ground.
Peace,
Clarke

I thank you so much for answering I went and just bought a whole new 350.00 clutch and waiting for someone to put on for me. Hope it works. But I believe you are just so right! :)

crigby · Jul 29, 2009, 07:46 PM

Hi,
Warning! Be sure they either know what they are doing or guarantee their work! There is a spacer that MUST be installed on some models where where the number changes on the clutch on that model. Not all, but failure to put it where it is needed (it goes on first) will lead to a very short-lived clutch.
Peace,
Clarke