[PA212]

Evening everyone!

When I went to cut the grass I found that the starter on the 212 is not engaging - it just spins when the key is turned. I think I have the term correct when I say that this is probably a bendix issue. I should have another starter off the parts 216, but I figured it was worth asking the group before I start tearing into everything.

So, any tricks to help get the grass cut yet tonight?

Dave

 

[Chaser]

Sounds like you need a starter, or starter rebuild. Might be able to pop start it of ya have help.

 

[PA212]

Okay. That’s kinda what I expected.

I dug out the starter from the parts tractor. Looks like it’s as simple as two bolts and a wire after I establish access. Looks to be pulling the left side cover and left tower cover. Does this sound about right? Any other tips or tricks I should know about?

Dave

 

[truck21]

Try spraying the shaft with some brake parts cleaner and see if the gear will break loose. If it does then give it a good soaking with WD40 or the like.

 

[PA212]

Thank you for the suggestion Don! It inspired me to poke around and see if I could get anything to move. I was able to roll the bendix out a bit with a screwdriver and then gave it a shot of WD-40. Ended up having to jump start her as I had run the battery down pretty good just spinning the starter but it worked! Got the grass cut before dark and the 4 days of rain that we are in the middle of now.

Once I got it started I didn't shut it down until it was parked for fear of it not starting again at the far end of the yard (always does it at the bottom of the hill...). Probably try to find some time to switch it out with the one from the Parts 216 this weekend.

Dave

 

[PA212]

Well I finally got around to putting the starter from the parts tractor in tonight. Seems to have the same issue as the original. Does anyone have a preferred source for starters? The local Mother Deere dealers all indicate "available to order" on the John Deere Parts website. Seem to be a number of options on Amazon, but I'm a bit leery of ordering blindly from them.