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Home / Lawn and Garden Tractors / John Deere Lawn Tractors / John Deere S130

John Deere S130 Troubleshooting

The John Deere S130 is a 2WD lawn tractor from S100 series. This model was manufactured from 2021 to 2025. The driveline consists of 44.2 cu.in (724 cc) Briggs and Stratton 44N677 4-cycle V-twin cylinder OHV vertical shaft air-cooled gasoline engine with a rated power of 22 Hp (16.4 kW), and belt-driven hydrostatic transmission with infinite forward and reverse gears.

The John Deere S130 is equipped with a manual steering system, electric PTO clutch, disc brakes, 15x6.00-6 front tires, and 20x10.00-8 rear tires. The operating weight is 445 lbs (200 kg). The John Deere S130 tractor is compatible with the following attachments: 42" mid-mount 2-blade mower deck with a mechanical lift system, 44" front-mount 1-stage snow blower, and 46" front blade.

Engine Troubleshooting
Engine difficult to start or won't start
Gas tank is empty - Add gasoline
Improper fuel grade - Change gasoline
Dirt and debris in fuel system - Remove debris and dirt
Damaged spark plug wiring connection - Check spark plug wiring connection, repair or change
Spark plug is damaged - Change spark plug as required
Fuel filter is dirty - Replace fuel filter
Safety contact for brake pedal defective - Install new part
Incorrect carburetor adjustment - Adjust carburetor idle mixture screw
Bad engine compression - Inspect cylinder block and replace worn components
Choke cable is damaged or not adjusted properly - Adjust correctly or change the cable
Engine runs intermittently
Cooling fins are plugged - Wash or clean as required
Ignition system malfunction - Inspect ignition system and change failed components
Throttle cable is stuck or faulty - Clean or replace the cable
Clogged air filter - Service or change air filter
Dirty or damaged fuel pump - Check fuel pump and replace if necessary
Engine stalls after starting
Defective spark plug - Replace spark plug
Defective or dirty carburetor - Clean or install new carburetor
Ignition coil is defective - Ignition coil should be replaced
Valve springs are bad or broken - Change valve springs
Valves are stuck - Valves need to be cleaned
Engine keeps overheating
Lack of engine oil - Checking oil level and add if necessary
Engine is running overloaded - Reduce the load
Clogged cooling fins - Clean and wash as required
Too lean carburetor mixture - Make the correct settings
Ignition timing is incorrect - Ignition timing needs to be adjusted correctly
Valve setting is incorrect - Valves needs to be set correctly
Engine knocks or noises
Low octane gasoline - Use proper fuel
Engine overload - Reduce the load
Not enough engine oil - Need to add engine oil
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Need to adjust idle speed
Clogged or damaged fuel pump - Clean or install new fuel pump
Worn crankshaft or main bearings - Change or repair worn components
Excessive valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance according to specifications
Cylinder bore or piston rings are worn - Change defective components
Engine power is too low
Carburetor is incorrectly adjusted or dirty - Service or correctly adjust carburetor
Plugged air filter - Change or clean air filter
Dirty or damaged fuel pump - Inspect fuel pump and change as required
Ignition system problems - Inspect ignition system and change failed components
Cylinder head gasket is damaged - Install new cylinder head gasket
Valves are stuck or burned - Clean or change valves
Damaged or worn push rod - Push rod needs to be changed
Cylinder block parts are damaged - Replace defective parts as required
Engine uses too much fuel
Throttle did not open fully - Replace or adjust throttle cable
Incorrect adjustment of carburetor main jet - Adjust it properly
Faulty or loose spark plug - Re-tighten or replace spark plug
Stuck, worn, or burned valves - Service or change valves
Worn sleeve, rings, or piston - Replace defective components as required
Valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust to proper valve clearance
Excessive oil consumption
Worn gaskets or seals - Replace to repair leaks
Damaged valve guides or valve stems - Valves replacement required
Piston rings are defective or worn - Piston rings need to be replaced
Worn piston or cylinder liner - Inspect piston and liner, fit new components as necessary
Clogged breather pipe or hose - Service or replace

Hydrostatic Transmission Troubleshooting
HST transmission makes excessive noise
Speed control pedal linkage is bent or not adjusted - Adjust or repair linkage
Transmission overload - Reduce the load is required
Transmission oil is contaminated or oil level is insufficient - Fill to required level or change the transmission oil
Worn or defective parts of the hydrostatic transmission - After disassembling and inspection, change defective components
Difficult to shift
Shift linkage is loose or broken - Service or change the linkage
Hydrostatic pump is blocked or defective - Repair or change pump
Transmission shift control components are worn or unadjusted - Adjust properly or change
Low power
Transmission oil level is low - Add oil to the transmission housing
Defective or worn drive sheave - Change sheave
Shifting linkage is misadjusted or broken - Replace or adjust linkage
Speed control linkage is worn or unadjusted - Adjust or change linkage
Transmission leaks
Transmission gaskets or seals are damaged - Replace seals or gaskets
Leaking final drive shaft - Replace shaft seals
Transmission housing is cracked - Housing needs to be replaced

Mower Deck Troubleshooting
Mower vibration is excessive
Drive pulley of mower deck is damaged or dirty - Clean or replace pulley
Drive belt is damaged or loose - Adjust belt tension or replace belt
Mower blades are unbalanced or bent - Balance or change as needed
Blade bolts are not tightened well - Tighten bolts as required
Discharge chute is constantly plugged
Fast ground speed - Select a lower speed
Long grass - Use a lower cutting height
Low engine speeds - Adjust choke to full opening
Cutting level is too low - Must be set to high cutting height
Drive belt installed improperly - Reinstall drive belt properly
Patches of grass uncut
Clogged mower deck - Need to clean the mower deck
Blades are excessively dull - Blades need to be sharpened
Damaged or worn blades - Blades need to be replaced
High mowing speed - Select a slower speed
Mower cuts too low - Use a higher cutting height
Filled bagger - Bagger must be empty
Blades scalp the grass
Lawn is bumpy or not smooth - Lawn needs to be leveled
Low cutting height - Adjust mower to higher cutting height
Fast mowing speed - Select a slower speed
Mower deck is not leveled properly - Level the deck correctly
Blades are worn or bent - Install new blades
Low tire pressure - Need to inflate tires
Mower deck to cut unevenly
Low tire pressure - Need to inflate tires
Mower deck is not leveled properly - Level the deck correctly
Blades are not sharp - Blades need to be sharpened
Blades are defective or worn - Replace the blades
Deck clogged with grass clippings - Mower deck needs to be cleaned
Deck housing is damaged - Rebuild or replace mower deck
Loose or defective mower spindle - Change or repair the spindle

Electrical Troubleshooting
Battery cannot be charged
Wiring connections are loose or corroded - Service or tighten connections
Faulty electrical terminal connectors - Change terminal connectors
Bad cell in battery - Change the battery
Starter cranks slowly
Low battery power - Low battery charging, charge as required
Battery drains quickly - Battery needs service or replacement
Battery terminals are corroded or wires are disconnected - Connect wires properly or change terminals
Starter is not cranking
Battery is low or faulty - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required
Battery voltage is low - Charge the battery
Faulty or incorrectly gapped spark plug - Replace or clean and gap
Starter motor or solenoid is damaged - Starter/solenoid should be replaced

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