JOHN DEERE X300 / KAWASAKI FH SERIES / NO START / RUNS AND DIES / STUCK FUEL SOLENOID / FIXED!! 

This guy is a life saver. I left gas in my machine for about a year without starting (had small property and had service mowing lawn). Went to start it up and no fuel would flow. Had someone try an fix, no luck. Search a bit and replaced fuel pump, no luck. Cleaned solenoid and now machine yours like a, you know what. Saved $400 and pride that I fixed it. Thanks THEMOWERMEDIC1.😁

4 years on and still a great and valuable video. Thanks for putting it up. I had exactly this problem and you saved me from removing and cleaning the carb. The solenoid valve was stuck solid from sitting unused a few months.

My 2012 developed starting issues in 2023. Cleaned the solenoid and it runs like a champ. The plunger was gummed up and sticking.

Thanks to your video, i fixed the same issue on a X304 after being in storage for 18 months. Turns out the FUEL SOLENOID was the issue, after replacing fuel pump and filter to no avail. Thanks for your excellent tutorial.

Thanks for the help - i have a 2009 x324 all wheel steer 22hp. Never have had ussue with the solenoid plunger anti back fir gizmo - until this week. i bought new plugs, oil and filter, air filter with foam cover to keep dust out. Also new fuel filter. I akways treat the ethanol fuel with additive and use stabil to keep fuel fresh. Mower has 725 hours and i mow about a 2 1/2 acre yard. This mower us awesome. I will try to clean the solenoid plunger. The valves have been afmdjusted seveal times iver its life to keep it starting easy. Recently after 2hrs mowing i shut it off during brief rain shower, would not start again. Pushed it into garage to look at you tube. Thanks to your video i believe i found the issue. A carb kit and new solenoid are fairly cheap and i am handy enough to tackle it. I will buy a thin wall 1/2 " ignition wrench to slip into tightly soaced gap between solenoid and carb. Or could grind down an old one. I enjoy mowing yard with quality rider. Drink a few beers and listen to radio on ear protection head phones. Very relaxing. Takes mind off of daily grind. Yard looks amazing afterwards.

My X304 had similar symptoms so I found the solenoid, removed it and found that it operated properly. Finally, after much investigation and troubleshooting I found that one or more of the spark plugs were bad. I replace the plugs annually, which are part of the maintenance kit so I did not suspect them as the problem. The tractor would not start and smelled of gasoline when trying to start. What was happening was that the cylinders were being filled with fuel but not enough spark to get it going, hence the flooding. Fortunately, I had not thrown away my old plugs from the last maintenance and after putting them back, the mower starts perfectly. Wild goose chase but I learned a lot in the process of troubleshooting. I bought a spark tester and was getting spark to the plug, but not out of the plug. I am just happy that I didn't have to have it trucked to the shop and wait two weeks for repair, only to find out it was something this simple.

Thank you for posting this video. It showed exactly what i needed to get my x300 working. You have made my wife very happy......for a few minutes at least.

Just watched this because the solenoid was frozen on my John Deere D140. 30 seconds of spraying carb cleaner and working it back and forth and it feels as good as new. Thanks for sharing this info! Great video!

Had the same problem tried the carburetor cleaner and finally took the solenoid off and filled with gunk cleaned it then tested as you instructed and it’s running after two weeks and borrowing friends mowers thank you!

Oh my goodness, this was so amazingly helpful!!!! Thank you for sharing you knowledge. If I could give you 5 stars I would give you 7.

Watched this video after mine started acting up. I drained the gas tank, drained all gas lines, replaced the fuel filter, and took the bowl off the carb. Bowl was 1/3 full of water and tank had a couple quarts of water in it. Got bad gas somewhere. Thanks for posting!

Thank you for this. I'm an Ag teacher in Florida. These videos are very helpful.

Good tip jeremy I hate it since they started putting those electric solenoids on the carbs

Those Kawasaki twins are great engines. But that was one of the dirtiest 17 hour machines I’ve ever seen! Must have been sitting someplace that gets a lot of dust. And long enough that the fuel varnished in that solenoid,

Thank you.....Thank you.......Thank you! Was the exact problem and fix for my JD 100 series rider. Very helpful.

Thanks very much for sharing. Hoping this is also my problem after replacing the fuel pump with no luck.

My neighbor’s X320 started doing this exact same thing this summer. He has a bad habit of leaving his gas can in the back of his truck with NO cap on the spout to keep water out and it sits out in the rain all the time. He don’t care. My 2015 S240 started doing this about two months ago, I cleaned the carburetor and noticed tiny black stuff in the fuel bowl, didn’t take long to confirm the fuel supply and return lines are rotting. 12 ft. braided automotive grade hose $37.

Thank you for the video. I have an X304 with 35 hrs and it has decided not to fire after sitting for the winter in a heated garage. Battery and gas are both good however not a hint of firing. Im going to check the swiches under the seat and check for spark at the plug for starters.

I have an X500 runs great for 45 minutes. Quits. I've replaced fuel cylinoid, both coils, fuel pump, spark plugs, fuel lines, I'm at my wits end with this thing. When it gets hot and quits there is very little fuel in the fuel filter but fuel pump is working correctly.

Thanks for sharing. I have two sets of wrenches, none of them are skinny enough to get to it. That is my luck.

thank you,, im repairing a john deere x300 with same issue,, your video very helpfull

Nicely done. I just subscribed and hit the bell Keith

Thank you for the great video, helped my husband to get the mower going.

Thanks for the video. I’m pretty sure that’s what’s wrong with my x350.

Spray the engine and mower down (cold) once or twice a month with Simple Green or other cleaner and wash it off, keep your mower looking like new. My neighbor has a 320 that is doing the exact same thing.

Learned so much watching your videos, Great job!

I looked at the X330 and the X350 today. One Briggs and the other Kaw. Any recommendations? Usually this is like asking do you like the red or the yellow power tools.

John Deere seems to have stopped access to Parts Manuals and schematics of their lawn equipment as of 2020. They are screwing farmers as well in regards to repair of their own equipment. I am looking for definitive instructions on how to increase Reverse speed on my X320 Kawi rider. Some You Tubers videos offer some help. Anyone have this solved? Adjustments to pedal linkage bolts/slots? Broken bushings (A-26) can affect it in the X540. Not sure mine is the same and it is too cold to look at the moment.

Great job cleaning rather than replacing. Guessing the dealership would have said "bad solenoid, with parts and labor that will be $397".

Thanks, Jeremy! My X300 is often hard to start when hot. I do yard work for 20 mins or so, shut the engine off to dump the cart, and it needs to crank over for 10 seconds or so before it starts again. Works well and starts well when cold. Would the fuel shutoff solenoid be the cause? Thanks again!

Great Video. Our church was just donated a x 300 with a mulching deck. It needs a new belt or belts. How do i find the right belt or belts.

Does using NON-Ethanol gas make much difference..? I have switched to this in ALL my small engine needs. Mowers, chainsaw, tractor. Heard it is better for carb's. Cleaner, less sticking problems like you show here..

What would cause fuel to spit out of the exhaust (x350 with Kawasaki V twin)? I changed spark plugs, first pulled them and turned over the engine to check for compression and to see fuel came out. Left and right had compression, fuel came out left, but not right. After sitting for a few days, the engine will start but will choke out and then it won't start and fuel spews from the exhaust. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nice job showing how to salvage the fuel solenoid. Those darn things are expensive as heck. Thanks for the great video’s, hang in there.

Good video, there are two types of brake cleaner.... so which are you using in the carb? The flammable stuff?

I have LTR185 w/ Kawasaki 17 hp. Won't run unless you choke it and only when you out your finger Iver the hole. This one has RTO switch disconnected, as well as the seat switch disconnected. So it's no surprise the unit will not start by Jey but has to be jumped at solenoid. My guess was the anti after fire solenoid being bad, but also want to check the fuel pickup in the tank. When I crank the engine with fuel line removed at the carb it is getting gas pumped out in short spurts, so I believe the pick tube us ok. However, I don't know if a pressure test can be run on the fuel line. I am being asked to not change the safety switches by owner. I'm having to jump it to do testing. Kinda hard to do that, but owners wishes will be respected, and I can do a remote start switch.

Typically in the John Deere X 300s. I’ve noticed a distinct sound. Only with the X 300s. And the Kawasaki motors why does it make the high-pitched noise when the motor is running

Have a tractor with same engine - had same issues with solenoid exactly...

I have a similar issue! Mine shuts off randomly! After a few minutes it will fire again!sometimes it take longer !then it will run for hours it’s so random any suggestions! Thank you!

First, thanks for taking the time to make this video. I have a JD X324 that is surging. Tried some Seafoam in the gas tank just to see if that would be an easy fix but it only helped a little bit. I guess I'll have to check the carb jet for any issue there. Do you have any insight on this? Also have to get a new anti scalping wheel along with the L-shaped shaft (if that's what it's called). I guess I'll have to drive to Taylor from Austin since their phone is ALWAYS busy.

I have a JOhn Deere X300. It runs fine as it is warming up and once warmed up it starts missing. I bought and put on a electrical module, new carburator, and new fuel pump. It still runs and then starts back firing and missing. I didn't know how to adjust the new carburetor. Was I supposed to adjust it once I put it on? Please advise what I could try next, thank you.

Should I install a fuel cut off valve? If so before or after the fuel pump?

I have problem, when I engage to cut grass it starts to back fire and pop. I've tried card cleaner and still does it. Can you help?

Thanks brother, I am dealing with an x320 that is having the same issues

will that carb solenoid cause mower to shut off after the mower gets hot and that cause mower not to start in a hot building x500 john

Where does this guy use this tractor? In the desert!

I HAVE A J.D.X360 AND I NEED TO REMOVE THE FUEL TANK, DO YOU HAVE A VIDEO I COULD WATCH?

What could be the problem with x300 surging and cutting off? Should I try spraying carburetor with carb cleaner?

pretty rough mower for 17hrs work,does he mow the desert or something....... fix under warranty?

Not a motor question, but a question about deck leveling on this mower. I am having a hard time with the front hangar adjustment. Any help would be grateful. Thanks, Sir.

My john Deere 400gt starts runs when cold, when its hot if you shut it off it won't start till it coo!s down. I don't know what causes that?

X310 here, ran out of gas, while filling the tank the circle filling chamber filled (but didn't drain into the tank) ... doesn't seem obstructed by simple looking around with a flashlight, shook it a bit a few bubbles came drained some, but the circular chamber is 3/4 full still and won't drain into the tank.... any suggestions?

Thanks man! I’m going to try this on my GX325. It has a Kawasaki engine So it might be a little different. & I used to live close to the love field, hearing those planes all day and night lol

I have a JD X304 mower with a Kawi FS541V engine. It runs ok for about 2 minutes mowing at full throttle and then it starts to loose power and runs rough. Shut off the pto switch and it clears up. Could it be in the fuel solenoid- the coil breaking up under a load? Any ideas? Thanks-Bill

I fix more than one of them. It's pretty simple... a pair of side cutters

Question, I have an x500, after it gets hot it quits, do these solenoids fail a lot with heat? It will start after it cools down. I have not checked for spark or tried to see why it is not running. I also heard about a timer relay that may fail too? Problem is I’m not there when it happens so I cannot check it at the time it happens. Thanks

I own an X300 JD, hoping to know how I can disable the seat safety switch so I can dismount the tractor with the engine running.

My X300 has 364 hours on it and it’s way cleaner than that one what are they mowing ? I mow our 5 acre pasture with mine 

Well, my X300R was popping, backfiring. One video and my mechanic friend said COIL. purchased new coils. Replaced both. Now it just runs for a minute and dies. Saw your video here. Have pulled out the carb shutoff. Looks good, cleaned it. Have to make a thin wrench out of a angle head grinder spanner wrench. Put it together, starts and dies. Just before it dies the governor surges then its done.... ???? Sprayed carb cleaner in the air cleaner tube like you did, runs and dies. I did put a new gas filter on, never was done in 10 years since new. Not that!...???

I have a Kohler Pro 17.5hp. Runs, then dies. Runs, then dies. Could this be a fuel selenoid issue?

thanks mate great video helped me cheers

October 25, 2018 100% Disabled Veteran needs help with a John Deere LA145 please. For some unknown reason at the end of last summer (2017), I had to start turning the headlights on before the blades would engage. I had the same problem this summer except that both headlight bulbs would blow out after mowing for about 45 minutes. I bought several new (1156) replacement bulbs to replace them when they burned out so I could try to get the yard finished. This summer, it started immediately blowing out both new bulbs as soon as I tried to engage the blades several times until it would finally work. I guess maybe"something" needed to cool down some before it would work again. I live on an extremely tight budget & don't have the money to take it to a shop to get it fixed or anyway to get it to a repair shop. So a couple of weeks ago, I was just about finished with the yard & the headlights blew out causing the blades to stop. I waited about 20 minutes for it to cool down some & replaced the blown out bulbs with the last 2 new bulbs I had & they immediately blew out when I pulled the switch to engage the blades. Frustrated that it was about to get dark & I only had a little bit of the yard left to finish & had no more new replacement bulbs, I stupidly decided to wire the positive & negative headlight wires together hoping it would complete the circuit so I could finish mowing & drive the mower back into the garage because it's almost impossible for me to push it. As soon as I engaged the blades something else blew & the motor died immediately & now it won't start, click or do anything. The 20 amp fuse was NOT blown, but I replaced it anyway & I can't find anymore fuses to check. I've unplugged & reconnected all of the wires & plugs & even wiggled all of the wires hoping something was just loose. I'd tried doing that even before the "fatal hotwire" event, but nothing has worked. It only has 30-40 hours on it & was in excellent working condition before this problem. It was bought new before I was disabled back in 2008, but is well out of its warranty period because of its age, even though it is like brand new. I've spent hours searching the internet, but can't find anything that addresses this specific issue. Can someone please help me determine what has burnt or shorted out, what parts I need to order & how to get it fixed without it costing me an arm & leg that I can't afford to lose more of? I know that it'd be too expensive for me to get it fixed by a dealer & don't want to get ripped off for unnecessary things because I don't have any experience with this matter-not to say that anyone would necessarily rip me off, but you never know. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of wiring in the electrical system & I'm hoping it can be fixed with a couple of simple inexpensive parts I can order online or if someone knows of a simple quick-fix, trick or bypass that'd work until I can afford to fix or get it fixed properly. Thanks. I can be reached at str8navyboy@hotmail.com or silverwood1994@gmail.com because I'm not sure if leaving this comment & request gives people my contact information or how to find or get back to this comment after its posted.

I check my solenoid it t work fine when tested, but will only run when I detach the fuel line it will run until empty... could it be my float needle? will the break cleaner work for this...

Do you have any video of changing the transmission fluid in a x300?

My neighbor has a x300 that has been to the dealer 3 times for same issue which is that mower shuts down while at different intervals while mowing and then sometimes runs with no problem at all. JD dealer has cleaned fuel tank and supposedly ran it for about an hour with no issue. Sometimes it starts right back up and sometimes it takes a few minutes, any ideas?

Straight up legend

just bought old j 110 it was fine when landed at hone did not run... battery fina gas is coming engine rotates but donot catch up f,,,it try to start and backfire sound,,,,

Appreciate your expertise. I have an issue with a x500. After running the tractor for awhile and turning it off, I try to restart the engine and will will not start. Kawasaki engine turns over fine but will no start. I look at the fuel filter and it appears not to have any fuel in it, contrary to when it is running filter is full of fuel. Let it set for awhile and after several unsuccessful attempts it will start. During this no start time I pulled out a spark plug and it was bone dry, it appears to me that fuel is not flowing, maybe bad fuel pump, loss of vacuum, not sure. Any guidance, or a point in the right direction to isolate this problem would be much appreciated Dan Syracuse, ny

I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a sticky choke shaft I've pulled it off and get it working then goes back to the way it was stiff it is on a 300x John deere with a Kawasaki engine

I`ve found on a Suzuki 500 Quad engine if you unscrew the carb Seat sometimes they have a cone shaped filter covering the inside opening held in with a E clip dumbest thing ever you get using the thing and stalls all day took the machine back the mechanic took the carb apart Oh nothing wrong finally took it apart myself went back and showed him the filter and it running at peak throttle WHY would they do something stupid like that instead of an inline .

Thanks you rock!

Thanks a lot for the tip mine was doing the same thing now I think I'm good to go!! BTW I gave you a sub

Would this cause it to run for a bIt then stop, then start after 10 minutes or so then stop after a bit again and again? Or is this just for starting the mower?

Maybe someone can help: We have a new solenoid, but that's not working, either. I don't think the solenoid is getting the current to activate. What powers the fuel shutoff solenoid?

Hey Moore Medical one I have a John Deere I replace the carburetor the coil in the rectifier in my corner 17 1/2 engine still not turn over can you help any ideas let me know Alan Williams I’m on Facebook or messenger or Jess her comment on this channel

Good catch

Hey Mower medic i have a john deere x530 with a kawi and it starting surging i keep it maintained any ideas what to check first thanks

Do anybody have trouble with the foot brake peddle it to high

Why did you not take the carb off and give a good cleaning

Works! thanks

Great video! I just bought a used John Deere X300R and I seem to be having same issue - worked for about an hour then failed to start! I was thinking of replacing carb but will try your solenoid fix first... Anything else to consider?

lotta lawn mower repair guys on YT.

Cool

Not trying to be negative but it’s so sad to see what John Deere did to the 300 series tractor I have a 1975 John Deere 300 I couldn’t ask for a better tractor and it’s almost 45 years old

My x300 idles up and down when I'm idling on turtle. Why?

17hrs..???....engine sure was dirty...

i

I fix everything, my deere x300 is doing this an I think its the solenoid in the carb bowl, I paid 4k for this machine it has 334.2 hours on the dash I bought this brand new, why in christs name would they put a electric needle in the carb, what in gods name would make them do this, I want to remove this from the carb, will this give any ill effects? or fix it forever, no other problems but this. I have never been so angry over a mechanical problem. now this happens between 5 an 25 minutes after I run it, it will start an run just fine, then when it wants its like I shut the key off. then I have to let it sit for 30 minutes then itll run fine again till it decides to die.

So far our JD X300 with the Kawasaki engine has been a very reliable mower each year. We bought ours new in June of 2007 and have not had any major issues with it other than a few battle scar scraps here and there. Those mostly my son getting a little to close to trees. The John Deere salesman told us it's about a 15 year plus mower compared to the John Deere mowers you see at Home Depot or Lowes sells. He said they are on average of 7 year mowers. I'm getting ready to change out the drive belt for the first time this spring. Yep the original drive belt has been working fine, but looks to be getting a little worn after 12 years of service and I'm afraid it may break this mowing season. I believe our X300 has around 360-370 hours on the meter now. Hope it continues to give us good service, but if it poops out for any major reason I'd buy another new one. May even get one that's a tad bigger.

good video, I know how much work it is to make these videos thank you for taking your time to make it. God Bless

Very good thanks. Helped me fix my x300. Saved me money made me feel like a mechanic for the day :)

Great video and explanation. This was my issue (same mower & motor), and I'm now up and running. Thank you, sir.

Great job. I have a Zero turn Bad Boy . mine was shutting down after about 15 min of run time. fixing it Saturday. Nick

I have an x320 John Deere with a Kawasaki engine. It is about 5 years old, maintained well. Just recently it started backfiring all of the sudden. Earlier this summer I replaced the air filter and changed oil. What would be the first thing to check? I have never touched the carb or changed fuel filter. thanks!

Thanks for the tip. Worked on my 𝑿 380 with Starting fluid. Only sat for 3 months. 42HRs on it

How do you take the both gaskets off the head and off the bottom?

My X300R has been getting hard to start lately. It backfires also. 470 hours. Been a great engine... Pulled the plugs and they were black. Cleaned them. Choke sticks a little, been fighting that with choke cleaner.. Any thoughts..?

I have a john deere x370, i seem to be having a fuel problem. I changed the pump, fuel filter, air filter, etc. My problem is after the mower warms up it shuts down, i can disengage the mower and idle down and nurse it with the choke, the after a bit It'll run wide open again but stalls out again shrtly after. Can the solenoid be an issue if it starts up good when cold?

Hey mower medic I have a John Deere x304 with the Kawasaki engine, for some reason it will run fine for a little while with no smoke, then all of a sudden it will start smoking real bad and blow oil out of the carb and cover the air filter in oil, and also I noticed gas will get in the oil, it will clear up and run fine for a little bit then it will do it again, do you have any idea what it could be?

I recently came upon one, customer wanted off his property that I cut now hood was cracked at brackets. Replaced it did whole tune up, cleaned tank put fresh gas, fresh oil oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, fuel pump,fuel hoses, coils, new battery. Itll run but then dies when I start driving. Any ideas? Would be very thankful.