You know there’s nothing like the frustration when you discover a John Deere Riding Mower won’t go forward or reverse. If your John Deere Riding Mower is doing so, you might be looking for a solution at hand. In this article, we will discover why John Deere Riding Mowers won’t go forward or reverse, along with a little troubleshooting method.

Therefore, be ready to get your hands dirty to find the root cause and fix the problem. Whether you are a first-time John Deere Riding Mower owner or a pro, this guide is going to give you all possible causes and fair fixes.

With a little bit of experience, determination, and help from a guide like this, you can quickly get your John Deere Riding Mower back in operation to keep your lawn from taunting you. Therefore, let’s start by knowing why John Deere Riding Mowers won’t go forward or reverse.

There can be main reasons why a John Deere Riding Mower won’t go forward or reverse, including faulty transmission, malfunctioning brake system, damaged drive belt, electrical issues, clogged fuel filter, old fuel restricted fuel line, engine issues, and drive system problems such as broken drive chain or drive pulley.

It is essential to accurately diagnose your John Deere Riding Mower to determine the possible cause of the problem and the proper fix.

If you are still unsure what is causing the issue behind your John Deere Riding Mower moving situation, I recommend you go to this article completely. 

Below we will discuss all the possible causes to determine the appropriate solution. From here, you will get all the information that will help you diagnose your John Deere Riding Mower problem and fix it.

9 Reasons Why John Deere Riding Mower Won’t Go Forward Or Reverse

Faulty Or Malfunctioning Transmission.

Signs

  • You will have a hard time shifting gears. If you cannot move the Gears of your John Deere Riding Mower, this might be the first sign of faulty transmission.
  • Another sign to look for is fuel leakage.
  • There is an issue if you hear any strange noise from the John Deere Riding Mower transmission, like a grinding or weaning sound. 
  • If your John Deere Riding Mower jerks suddenly or lurches when shifting gear, there is a transmission problem.
  • Lastly, a John Deere Riding Mower with a transmission problem will stop mowing unexpectedly while the engine keeps running.

Causes

Damaged internal components.

Watch out for worn-out gears that need replacement. Sometimes loose bearings or seals are the culprits of transmission issues in John Deere Riding Mowers.

Faulty electrical components. 

The first thing you should look for is a bad sensor. Also, a damaged wiring harness may interfere with your John Deere Riding Mower transmission control system.

Bad transmission fluid. 

If the fluid is timeworn, it might have been degraded and left residue sitting on the liquid pump. This can interfere with your mower’s transmission system and control unit. Other than this, if the fluid is contaminated, you will need to replace it and prevent any Malfunction or failure of transmission.

Solution

If any of the internal components, like the seal or gear, is damaged or worn out due to over-usage, you will need to replace them. Sometimes loose bearing needs proper tightening to solve the issue.

Also, never mind replacing the transmission fluid at hand to try to solve the problem. The transmission pump might be faulty if this doesn’t resolve the issue.

If the transmission pump of your John Deere Riding Mower is malfunctioning, you will need to replace it. Also, look out for faulty or damaged transmission components caused by a collision or accident.

Lastly, check the condition of sensors and wiring harnesses. If all are in good condition, take the help of the user manual or mechanic to troubleshoot the issue sooner.

Faulty Drive Belt

If your John Deere Riding Mower drive belt is damaged, you will get a very uncomfortable and frustrating experience. The belt will permanently stop your John Deere Riding Mower from operating or moving.

If the drive belt is damaged, you will have to spend a lot of time fixing it. Fixing a damaged drive belt tends to be a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. The first sign of a damaged belt is a John Deere Riding Mower not moving forward or backward even though the transmission is engaged.

Besides this, you will likely hear a strange noise from the drive or transmission system. If you find your John Deere Riding Mower jerking while trying to move, there can be a problem with the drive belt.

The first thing you should look out for is debris and foreign objects that might have been caught in the drive system if it is appropriately cleaned.

Also, look at the belt for signs of year and wear. Sometimes improper tension on the belt causes the issue. If your John Deere Riding Mower is old, the drive belt might be worn out and need replacement. 

To fix the damaged drive belt of your John Deere Riding Mower, you should follow the steps mentioned below.

  • Firstly, you should disengage your John Deere Riding Mower spark plug wire to prevent the engine from starting unexpectedly and causing an accident. 
  • After that, make sure to take the help of your user manual for a proper consultation and learn the specific location of your John Deere Riding Mower drive belt. 
  • Depending on your John Deere Riding Mower model, locate the drive system and check for debris or foreign objects. 
  • If there is any, clean it. 
  • After that, look for any tension on the belt. The belt may also slip or come off entirely while operating if it feels loose. Make sure to tighten the belt first. 
  • If you notice any wear and tear on the drive belt or other components of its system, make sure to replace it. 
  • Take the help of your user manual to learn the proper drive tension required for your John Deere Riding Mower-specific model. After consulting the user manual, you should follow the procedure for replacing your specific John Deere Riding Mower’s drive belt. 
  • After replacing the drive belt, you can re-engage the spark plug wire to test your mower to see if it is functioning correctly. 
  • If you cannot replace the drive belt, take the help of your local technician. It’s an easy job, and you don’t need a professional mechanic. 

If you need to gain experience fixing any vehicle or mower, contact the authorized service center first or take your unit directly to them. 

Brake System Problems

Stuck Brake Pedal

If the brake pedal is tough to press, something might be stuck in it. Sometimes the break pad does not move at all. If this is the problem, your John Deere Riding Mower will need help to slow down or stop properly.

If this is the issue, never mind cleaning the foreign objects at hand to fix the problem. Sometimes an object as tiny as a pebble can cause a stuck brake pedal.

Soft Brake Pedal

If your John Deere Riding Mower brake pedal faces very spongy or weak, there might be a problem with your John Deere Riding Mower brake system hydraulic fluid. Sometimes, a break line leakage also makes the brake pedal feel very soft.

If this is not the issue, look out for any foreign object stuck in the system brake pads or seized brake caliper. Always check the pressure of the hydraulic fluid.

If all this seems correct and according to the user manual you received with your particular John Deere Riding Mower model, but the brake pedal still feels very loose and soft, take your unit to the nearest mechanic shop for proper diagnosis and to determine the possible fix.

Brake Pedal Hard To Press

If your John Deere Riding Mower brake pedal is hard to press, you might not be able to get it more forward or reverse before slowing down. This is a good sign of the brake system hydraulic pressure being in proper condition.

Besides this, if the brake caliper is seized, the brake pedal will be hard to press. Therefore you won’t be able to get your John Deere Riding Mower to move forward or reverse.

Sometimes a malfunctioning brake booster also causes the issue that needs replacement. If the hydraulic pressure is inadequate, adjust it according to the user manual.

John Deere Riding Mower Electrical System Issues.

If your John Deere Riding Mower won’t move forward or reverse, there might be a problem with its electrical system. Fixing an electrical system of a mower can be frustrating, but it is needed to prevent any disturbance in your lawn care routine.

One of the primary issues is that battery that needs a replacement. If the battery seems faulty, never mind replacing it.

In most cases, the dead battery is usually caused when you accidentally leave the headlights or another electronic component ON while the engine is turned off. In other cases, a dead battery is generally caused due to overuse or reaching the end of its lifespan.

Another thing to look out for is faulty ignition switches. As an ignition switch is responsible for providing adequate power to your John Deere Riding Mower engine, if anything goes wrong with it, the John Deere Riding Mower will not even start.

If the ignition switch is malfunctioning due to moisture damage or wear & tear, make sure to replace it at soon as possible. Sometimes the manufacturing defect tends to be the culprit of a John Deere Riding Mower electrical system issue.

Whatever the point is, it is essential to diagnose and address the problem as soon as possible. If left unattended, it can damage other parts of your John Deere Riding Mower more. Suppose you are unable to detect the real culprit.

In that case, it’s always a good idea to get your unit to your nearest authorized service center or consult a qualified repair technician. The professional mechanics will be able to help you diagnose and fix electrical issues with your John Deere Riding Mower as soon as possible.

John Deere Riding Mower Fuel System Problems

Causes Signs Solutions
Old fuel.  Your John Deere Riding Mower will not start. It may not run properly. If the fuel has been left in your John Deere Riding Mower tank for an extended period, it will degrade and become stale. Therefore, replacing any worn, old, or contaminated oil is essential to prevent further damage to the pump.
Blocked Fuel Lines. A John Deere Riding Mower will not function properly. It may not even start at all.  If the fuel line is clogged with any object, you must clean it. Any restricted fuel line will not be able to supply an adequate amount of fuel from the pump to the engine. Hence, fuel lines can be blocked with an object as small as pebbles. Make sure to also check for signs of damage.. if the issue persists, I recommend you check the fuel filter and pump condition. If both are okay, consult a qualified mechanic for proper diagnosis and possible fixes.
Clogged Fuel Filter.  The John Deere Riding Mower will not move properly or start. If the fuel filter is clogged, your John Deere Riding Mower will not move forward or rivers. It is essential to keep the fuel filter on proper maintenance. If you regularly clean your John Deere Riding Mower fuel filter, it will soon degrade with signs of wear and cracks. It is essential to keep the fuel filter neat & clean for proper fuel supply to the engine. If the issue persists, replace the entire fuel filter. Also, look at the fuel lines for any restrictions.
     

Seized Engine

It will only seize if you pay close attention and adhere to the proper care and maintenance schedule of your John Deere Riding Mower engine. Due to a lack of lubrication or overheating, a John Deere Riding Mower engine may seize any time.

It is also essential to keep foreign objects from entering the engine and destroying its function. If you find that engine needs lubrication, never mind adding oil. Make sure to use the fat recommended by the manufacturer or the user manual of your John Deere Riding Mower model.

If the John Deere Riding Mower engine is seizing due to overheating, allow it to before you try to start. Sometimes, a foreign object blocked in it tends to be kept.

Therefore remove any debris and then try starting the engine again. Sometimes, the motor gets severely damaged due to over usage, accident collision, or operator errors. If this is the cause, address it. 

Broken Connecting Rod

If the connecting rod is not in good condition, replace it. If the connecting rod gets broken, your John Deere Riding Mower engine will not get enough power.

The connecting rod is responsible for delivering adequate power by connecting the Piston to the crankshaft. If it is broken, you will need to repair or replace it. This can be a labor-intensive and complex process. Therefore, I recommend you take the help of your user manual or get it performed by a qualified Mechanic. 

Damaged Drive Pulley 

If the John Deere Riding Mower is not moving forward at a proper speed or is difficult to pull, there might be a problem with the drive pulleys. Since the drive Pulley is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the drive valves, if it malfunctions, the John Deere Riding Mower won’t move forward or reverse.

If you don’t have enough experience with disassembling any mowers drive system, I recommend you consult a qualified mechanic for proper assistance. In most cases, a drive pulley severely damaged due to overuse or aging tends to be the main culprit. You will need to replace it to solve the issue at hand.

Broken Drive Chain.

If there is any problem with your John Deere Riding Mower drive chain, you will experience problems with the John Deere Riding Mower moving forward or reverse. Since the drive chain is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels, a John Deere Riding Mower will not function properly if it gets broken.

Therefore, you should consult the mechanic or contact your unit at the nearest authorized service center. A qualified technician must address a faulty drive that needs replacement to prevent accidents while disassembling the drive system and replacing the chair.

Conclusion

After reading this article, you got to know all the possible reasons why your John Deere Riding Mower won’t move forward or reverse. Each of the problems will need a different solution. Still, most of them can be performed by anyone with some basic knowledge and experience with fixing mowers or similar vehicles.

Since most of these problems are easy to set, you can easily do it by checking the spark plug, refueling fresh & recommended fuel to the tank, and keeping the air filter clean. Make sure to keep up with your John Deere Riding Mower’s regular maintenance schedule.

If these troubleshooting steps are helpful for you, make sure to share them. Your share will help many people learn why their John Deere Riding Mower won’t move forward or reverse. Check our other helpful guides on different John Deere model Problems and their possible fixes.

Following your manufacturer’s advice on maintenance schedules and the causes when operating a particular model is always recommended. Sometimes an operator can cause the issue. With being careful and attentive, you can keep your John Deere Riding Mower running smoothly for many years. Do check our helpful guide on other John Deere Riding Mower problems. Till then, take care and goodbye.