John Deere 180 with FC540V having starting problems after about 30 minutes of use

587 Views 6 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Herd of Deeres, 11 mo ago

curtiscode

Discussion Starter · 11 mo ago

I've got an old John Deere 180 Tractor Mower with an FC540V engine that has seen better days. I think it was built in the mid 80s. I've recently started having starting issues. First off, it seems to take a bit longer to start up. It's getting gas, but just turns over and over for a while before it seems to want to spark.

I've replaced the carburetor, Fuel Filter, fuel line, spark plug with genuine NGK and even the starter. Just today, I replaced the Ignition coil and that little silver box thingy that's about 1 inch square and 1/4" thick with a single wire that hooks to it.

I can get it to start after it turns over a few times, but after I've mowed most of my lawn and turn it off to dump the grass clippings, I try to start it and it won't even turn over. Sometimes, it will click like the starter wants to engage, but it won't turn over. It acts like the battery is dead, but I've had the battery tested at both AutoZone and O'Reilleys and they both said it tested good with all the CCA that the case says it should have.

I do put this on a trickle charger when I'm not mowing the lawn. I wonder if the battery isn't getting charged while the lawn is being mowed?

Any ideas as to what could be causing this problem?

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PA318Guy

· #2 · 11 mo ago

Welcome to MTF! Lots of info here and great members to help and share with, enjoy the site. I'd do a compression test on it and see if it is low.

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dave_r

· #3 · 11 mo ago

Start the engine and then check the voltage across the battery terminals. It should be about 13.5V-14.5V if the charging system is working properly, if it's sitting at 12.6V or less, then it's not charging.

When it won't start, you might see if you can rotate the engine by hand. I've had an engine that was overheating because the cooling fan wasn't installed properly, and while I was using it while driving around, it was fine, but when it was sitting after using it (like when I was dumping grass), the starter would have a more and more difficult time turning the engine over.

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NYKen

· #4 · 11 mo ago (Edited)

If not installed, try the Starter Improvement Kit, AM107421, or equivalent.

I've used this on 175s, 180s, 185s, 318s, etc. Makes a big difference.

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MARK (LI)

· #5 · 11 mo ago

Hi curtiscode

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sthpawil

· #6 · 11 mo ago

NYKen said:
If not installed, try the Starter Improvement Kit, AM107421, or equivalent.

I purchased an aftermarket version from eBay for my 185 Hydro's FC540V, and I could not believe the difference that it made. Starting the mower went from long, slow cranks to firing right up every time.

If I remember correctly, it did not come with installation instructions. However, I was able get the instructions online at John Deere for the AM107421.

This is the one that I purchased:

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Herd of Deeres

· #7 · 11 mo ago

If yours already has one it’s probably mounted to the dipstick bolt like this one on my 1988 180. They can be located other places but usually not very far from the starter. If you don’t have one add another vote from me to add one.

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