John Deere 317 Garden Tractor
This is a recent dialog we had with a John Deere 317 garden tractor owner about starting problems he was having. We like working on the 317’s here at our shop, they are a nice sturdy older ” vintage” tractor.
Q: I have a question about my John Deere 317.
I replaced the ignition switch as it was getting harder to turn to the “start” position. I used an authentic JD part, so I know the new switch is fine, but now I don’t get any click (or start) when I turn the new ignition switch to start. The battery is fully charged and the PTO switch relay clicks when I turn it on. I have looked and can’t find that I pulled a wire loose when I traded ignition switches. There is also no draw on the battery when I turn the ignition.
Is there any troubleshooting steps I could take to figure this out?
A: When you go to start mode the electricity has to go through your neutral safety switch, check that switch and wiring. Then from there it goes to your PTO switch where the problem could be loose connections, corrosion at the connectors, or a bad PTO switch and yes, I realize you said it goes click when you move the PTO switch up and down. The PTO switch is actually two switches in one so, in other words, the PTO switch can still be bad.
Q: Jim, when you say Neutral safety switch, you mean the one for the hydrostatic transmission?
A: Yes, that neutral safety switch is located below the neutral groove in the dash.
Q: Jim, that did the trick. I took the plugs off each switch, wire brushed them and I’m back in business.
One more question about the starter on the JD 317. With more and more frequency, my starter sounds like it doesn’t engage. When I turn to the start position on the ignition, I get what sounds like a low growl (and it sucks the battery juice down). After several tries, it will usually kick in. Would you guess the starter needs rebuilt, or just lubricated? I have an old enginefrom this tractor. I looked at the starter and see that the gear slides out on the starter motor shaft to lock into the flywheel. It was rusty of course, but thought I might try just lubricating the shaft on the tractor before replacing it. I am considering getting the other starter rebuilt and switching them.
A: Yes, it sounds like the Bendix drive is sticking on the spiral spline on the shaft of your starter. Spray carburetor cleaner and rinse it out. You can do this without pulling the engine.
Q: Jim,I think I told you that following your directions, everything worked out well. What I did notice though, is that it looks like I need to pull the engine if I were to replace the starter. Is that correct? I looked all around and under the tractor, but doesn’t look like there’s any way to get the starter out without at least loosening the motor mounts on the one side and tilting the engine. Is that so? I just want to prepare myself for that day.
A: You are correct, you have to pull the engine in order to get to the starter. You can just lift the engine up a ways, not remove it, but it is nice to take it out and pressure wash everything.
6 Responses to 'John Deere 317 Garden Tractor'
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on May 6th, 2007 at 7:26 am
Not sure how to post a new question hope this works.
I have a 317 that will not start, NO SPARK. It has the ignotion control under the fly wheel. Is there a way to test this without pulling the engine. The other proplem parts could be the coil itself and I am not sure if the condensor could cause this too. I am not even sure why it has a condensor. Any halp on troubleshootingf would be apprerciated.
on May 11th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Try a new ignition coil first. Actually you should install the new igntition coil and a new ignition module as a pair so a weak part doesn’t take out a good one.
on August 18th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
I have a very strange problem with my john deere 317. I only get spark on 1 cylinder. I’ve replaced the points, plugs, wires, condenser, coil, and I still only get spark on the left side cylinder.
I’m at a complete loss as to what could possibly cause this.
on August 22nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
The only thing I can think of is to try another ignition coil.
Jim
on October 8th, 2007 at 11:13 am
I have a JD 317 that has been sitting outside of my garage for the past couple of years here in MN. The engine was turning over very slow and would not fire at all. I replaced the battery and the engine turns over great, but does not fire. I purchased a 317 service manual as I am desirous to get this tractor going before the snow flies…have the snowblower attachment for it. In the ignition circuit section of the manual it shows a meter that checks the coil, condenser, etc. I have not been able to find any information on the meter that was spelled out (I do not have the specific make/model right now at my disposal). What test device do you recommend that I utilize to check out the ignition system?
on October 10th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Just check if you are getting spark from the spark plug wires and also what the spark quality is. It should jump at least 1/4 inch and should be a lightening blue in color.
Jim