only runs with choke: John Deere Gator -- Utility / ATV Discussion Forum

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11-09-2009, 12:48

Post: 166801

gatormaki

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Illinois
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re: only runs with choke

WOW!
Might have to send that off to the dealer as I've heard nada yet. Laughing out loud

. I noticed mice in the garage awhile back.
Glad you found the problem.

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11-16-2009, 12:33

Post: 166865

gatormaki

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Illinois
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re: only runs with choke

Great, Gator sat at the dealer for a week and ran perfectly every day. So Sad

Also ran fine when I got it home. As they tore through everything maybe they inadvertently fixed it. Can only hope.

The only funny part was when the mechanic started it up for us to take a drive the dog leaped out of the back window of the truck, ran across the parking lot and jumped in the back of the Gator. He doesn't let a running Gator out of sight- loves to ride. Smile

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12-09-2009, 19:46

Post: 167376

gatormaki

Join Date: Apr 2009
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re: only runs with choke

All right, I get it back from the dealer (where it ran perfectly of course). And it ran for a couple of weeks at home. Big storm hits the midwest (BTW- a CX with a plow and wheel weights blows away a snow blower :}). But of course it acts up as I try to plow through the storm- runs ok for 45 minutes to 5 minute, or until I start after awhile warm. I can barely keep it running by constantly starting and varying the choke setting- full choke, partial choke, as I limp home- put-put-put, get home and shazamm! works perfect again- but I noticed that slightly moving the spark plug wire effects the engine rpm noticeably.

So I think I've got an ignition problem- not a fuel problem- and now I remember my 1972 Pontiac Lemans (yes, shows my age) had a similar problem- only fired all 8 on choke at times. Took me forever to figure it out as it was a carbon track under the distributor cap between the primary and one spark plug. Varying the fuel mixture through the choke affected the voltage/timing of the spark through the defective ignition.

I think I've got a bad plug and/or coil wire as this problem first happened after its initial maintenance (it's less than 2 years old).

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