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AR15.COM
9/13/2011 1:53:14 AM EDT
The starter on my John Deere lawn tractor is not working properly.

When I turn the key to start it the gear that is supposed to engage the flywheel doesn't seem to engage. I can see it move out on the shaft but it doesn't seem to be moving out far enough. There seems to be a light dusting or rust on the cross hatch patterned grooves on the shaft which seems to make the gear sluggish to move out and back on the shaft.

Should I try spraying something on the shaft/gear to try and loosen up whatever may be rusty?

Could it be a bad connection somewhere in the electrical circuit?

Do I just need a new starter?

Thanks for any help.

I am also cross posting this in the Cars+Bikes section.
9/13/2011 5:57:37 PM EDT
[#1]
Squirt a little wd40 (or similar lubricant) on it and see if it helps free up that gear.

Also how old is the battery?
9/15/2011 5:49:52 AM EDT
[#2]
I had a car that the same thing happened to once.  The cup that the starter gear went in to as it moved forward was full of gunk and it stopped the perfectly working starter from engaging.  Clean out that area if yours is the same.