QuestionI have a John Deere 160 riding mower. In 2006 the last few times I mowed I had to jump start it, but once jumped it ran fine. This year after regular maintenance , the same thing, would not start, so I thought it might be the battery. I went and bought a new battery, same results. But this time, if I jump start it, the mower deck will not engage. Someone thought I might need a new alternator? Any help is appreciated.
AnswerYou probably don't need an alternator. I don't think I've replaced 1 in the 15 years I've worked at a John Deere dealer.
What you might need is called a regulator/rectifier.
Even more likely is that you need a new fuse holder. Replace the fuse holder and see how things go.
Do you still have to jump start the mower this year. You may need something as simple as a PTO switch.
Let me know how it goes. Do you have a volt meter. If so this problem will be easy to nail down. If you don't have a volt meter you can piick one up at Radio Shack for about 10.00
