I have a 19 year old john dedere 12 hp 38" cut mower. When you turn the key on, the starter clicks and the drive teeth hit the botom of the flywheel ring gear. If you turn the flywheel just a fraction it will engage or if you keep clicking the starter it will eventually engage. What's wrong, I have a new starter, by the way.

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Originally Posted by bjmorgan99

I have a 19 year old john dedere 12 hp 38" cut mower. When you turn the key on, the starter clicks and the drive teeth hit the botom of the flywheel ring gear. If you turn the flywheel just a fraction it will engage or if you keep clicking the starter it will eventually engage. What's wrong, I have a new starter, by the way.

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Try loosening the starter mounting bolts and slide the drive gear up to engage the fly wheel. HOLD IN PLACE AND SLOWLY tighten bolts. Check to see if drive gear engages when raised and lowered.