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The John Deere Gator 835M is an excellent machine with a few quirks. We’ve had our Gator since it was new, and while we have had a few problems, they were all the result of operator error.
The engine and transmission are powerful, but the machine is heavy and not well suited to steep hills or rough terrain. It’s best suited for flat ground, such as farm fields or construction sites, where it can be driven reverse and forward. It has enough power to haul most loads up to its capacity – usually about 1 ton (2000 pounds).
The seat is comfortable but sits high off the ground, so you must be careful when entering or exiting the vehicle—the steering wheel tilts, so it’s easier to drive standing up if necessary.
The air conditioning system works well and keeps you relaxed even when working hard in hot weather. The climate control system is also very good at keeping dust out of your cab when driving on dirt roads or construction sites.
What are the common problems with John Deere Gators?
If you’re looking for a new John Deere Gator 835m or are thinking about purchasing one used, here’s a list of some common problems that owners have encountered with their Gators:
Transmission issues: There have been several reports over the years of transmission problems on these machines. While this is not necessarily something that affects all Gators, it is something you should look out for when buying one used.
Water in fuel tank: This happens when water gets into the fuel tank and mixes with gas. It can also be caused by leaking fuel lines or faulty injectors allowing air into the system when it shouldn’t be. If your John Deere Gator 835m has been sitting unused for an extended period, this becomes more likely as water will condense in the fuel lines over time.
Problems with carburetor: Carburetor problems are among the most common issues reported by owners of Gator 835Ms. The carburetor on this model can be challenging to access and repair, which may be why it falls out of tune more frequently than other engine parts.
Problems with transmission: Transmission problems are another common issue for the Gator 835m. Some owners report having trouble shifting gears, while others have had problems with leaking fluids in this area of their engine.
Power steering problems: A faulty power steering pump can cause difficulty turning at low speeds and difficulty engaging the transmission when stopped.
Engine stalling: When an engine stalls while driving, it’s usually due to an improper fuel delivery or faulty spark plugs.
What Is The Brand Of The Engine In A John Deere Gator?
The engine in a John Deere Gator is a Kohler engine. The Kohler K301-E is a V-twin engine with two cylinders and 2.8 liters of displacement. It produces 14 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 16 foot-pounds of torque at 3,400 rpm.
The Kohler K301-E has a lot of power for its size, but it does not have the power to pull heavy loads like other engines with more displacement.
The Kohler K301-E runs on gasoline and has a carburetor instead of a fuel injection. The carburetor is less efficient than fuel injection, so you may notice that your John Deere Gator uses more gas than other machines with similar engines.
Major Problems In John Deere Gator 835m Problems
John Deere Gator 835m Steering Problems
The John Deere Gator 835m Steering Problems is a critical issue to address since the problem can occur anytime. This can cause severe problems for your vehicle and you.
There are many causes of the John Deere Gator 835m Steering Problems. It may be due to loose or worn steering components, bad steering gearbox parts, or misalignment of the front wheels. The problem could also be caused by improper suspension alignment, tire pressure, and wrong air pressure in tires or cracked rims.
Other causes of this problem include broken steering columns, faulty steering boxes, or electrical problems in the steering system.
To fix this problem, you must first determine the exact cause of failure so that you can get the right parts for replacement.
John Deere Gator Won’t Accelerate
If your John Deere Gator does not accelerate, this could be caused by several factors. If you have recently changed the oil or filter, this could cause the vehicle to stall or lose power when it accelerates. You may also have a loose spark plug wire or distributor cap, preventing the engine from starting properly or running smoothly.
Another common issue is that the fuel tank may be empty or nearly empty, which will prevent it from accelerating properly. When this happens, ensure that you fill up your tank before attempting to start the engine again so that you don’t run out of fuel while driving down the road!
John Deere Gator 835m Starting Problems
The John Deere Gator 835m is a compact utility vehicle that has been around since 2005. The Gator has a 500cc engine known to have starting problems. This article will help you troubleshoot and repair your John Deere Gator 835m starting problems.
If your John Deere Gator 835m doesn’t start, you should check the spark plug and wire to ensure they haven’t become corroded or damaged. If that doesn’t work, check the fuel filter for clogs or blockages because this can prevent fuel from getting to the carburetor. If you still aren’t getting any spark, it may be time to replace your ignition coil, distributor cap, spark plug wires, and rotor (if applicable).
If none of these steps have solved your problem, then you may need to replace the entire electrical system on your Gator because it could be damaged or faulty beyond repair.
John Deere Gator Won’t Go Into Neutral
Problems with transmission are common. The first symptom is usually difficulty engaging gears. If you’re backing up, the transmission may engage in reverse but not go into any other gear. This can cause a dangerous situation if you’re backing up and need to go forward. The transmission may also shift into neutral but not park or drive.
The most common cause of these issues is a worn shift detent plunger. This part is made of plastic and wears out over time, causing it to stick in one position and not move freely between positions. The only fix for this problem is the replacement of the whole shifter assembly.
There are two ways to get your John Deere Gator into neutral:
- Turn the ignition off while shifting between gears (do NOT attempt to turn it off while moving)
- Press down on the brake pedal while shifting between gears
John Deere Gator Transmission Slipping
The John Deere Gator is a small utility vehicle with a gas engine and automatic transmission. The Gator is used for towing trailers and light-duty work around the home or farm. It’s also popular as a lawnmower, so many people use them to cut the grass around their yards.
Because the Gator is an older model, it’s common for the transmission to start slipping. This can make it difficult to drive at times, especially if you’re trying to tow something that is heavy or has steep inclines. The good news is that this problem can be fixed relatively easily by replacing the transmission fluid and filter in your John Deere Gator.
One common problem with the John Deere Gator 835m is transmission slipping. This can occur when the vehicle needs servicing or its transmission fluid must be addressed for too long. Some other causes for this issue include:
- Low fluid level or overfilling the transmission fluid
- Old or dirty oil inside the transmission system
- Incorrectly installed transmission filter
- Incorrectly installed transmission gasket
Why Won’t My John Deere Gator Start?
When your John Deere Gator 835m doesn’t start, there are many possible reasons why. The most common is that the battery needs to be fixed. You can test this by trying to jump-start the engine. If it will not start with a jump, or if it starts for a short time and then dies, you will need to replace your battery.
If your John Deere Gator 835m does not start because of a dead battery, you will need to replace the cables and terminals on the battery itself. These are often overlooked as they need help starting and charging the battery.
Another common reason your John Deere Gator 835m won’t start is loose connections in the ignition system. This means that there is some connection between the key and the starter that is loose or broken somewhere along the line.
This could be anywhere from underneath the steering column back through wiring connections to other parts in your tractor engine bay area, where multiple wires come together at one point to connect them all at once for power distribution purposes. You should check all these connections carefully before attempting to diagnose further problems with starting or charging issues on your John Deere Gator 835m.
If you have already checked all these connections and they are intact, then it’s time to check inside your tractor’s ignition system for problems that may have developed over time. If this is the case, you may need to replace parts such as a distributor cap or rotor, coil pack(s), spark plugs, wires if required, and fuel filter elements if applicable.
John Deere Gator Ignition Switch Problems
The ignition switch on the John Deere Gator 835m uses a latching mechanism to keep it in the off position. If you have problems with your ignition switch, it can make starting the engine difficult or impossible. A faulty ignition switch can also cause other issues, including:
- A dead battery. If the ignition is on when you turn off the engine, it drains power from your battery, causing it to die quickly
- The starter won’t engage. A bad ignition switch may not allow current to flow from the battery to the starter motor when you crank up your John Deere gator mower. The starter won’t engage, and if you’re lucky enough to get it going once in a while, it will only do so for a short time before dying again.
- Faulty fuel pump relay switch. If there is an issue with your fuel pump relay switch, it could cause problems starting your John Deere gator mower.
- Poor battery connections. The batteries in your John Deere gator mower can go bad over time, which can cause issues with starting and running the vehicle.
- Faulty ignition coil. If there is an issue with your ignition coil, it could prevent your engine from starting properly and leave you stuck on the side of the road with a dead battery.
- Faulty spark plug(s). A bad spark plug can prevent your engine from starting properly and may cause a misfire if multiple spark plugs are bad.
Gator 835M Engine Overheating
The engine will overheat if the thermostat is stuck in the closed position, which might happen if you don’t follow the maintenance schedule as closely as you should. If you haven’t changed the coolant or flushed out air pockets in your cooling system recently, it could be causing overheating problems.
Overheating can cause major damage to your engine if it goes unchecked. If your Gator 835m is overheating, stop using it immediately and check for leaks around your radiator or engine block. You should also check for loose belts and other signs that might point to a problem with your powertrain or cooling system.
The 835M Gator Has a Problematic Lift Mechanism
The 835M Gator has a complicated lift mechanism. The lift arms on the front axle are prone to breaking, causing the vehicle’s front end to sag. The rear lift arm can also break, but this is rare.
The 835M Gator’s lift mechanism is designed to raise and lower the vehicle using hydraulic pumps. A problem occurs when the hydraulic lines leak or break, which causes them to lose pressure in one or both directions. This makes it difficult for operators to raise or lower their gators, which can be dangerous if they try to get out of an obstacle at high speeds.
John Deere Gator 835M Vibrates When Driving
This sounds like a problem with the differential axle bearings. They will create a vibration that can be felt through the steering wheel if worn or damaged. The first thing you should do is check and see if your tires are properly inflated to the recommended psi level on the sidewall of each tire. The maximum psi rating for tires on this model is 60 psi. If this does not solve the problem, you will need to replace your differential axle bearings with new ones from a John Deere parts dealer.
The 835M Gator Has Loose Windows and Doors
The windows and doors on the 835M Gator are made from plastic, which tends to warp and become loose. This can be very annoying when riding around in your Gator and hearing rattling noises from the cab. If this happens to you, don’t worry. It’s easy to fix with some simple tools and a little bit of patience.
Remove Door Panels
First, you’ll need to remove your door panels to access the hinges that hold them in place. Use a flathead screwdriver or similar tool to pry off any fasteners holding them on. Once they’re off, lift each panel up and off its hinge pins, then set them aside so they won’t get damaged while working on your door panels.
Window Panel By Unscrewing
Next, remove the window panel by unscrewing the fasteners along each side with an Allen wrench or socket wrench set at 10mm (3/8″). You will also need to remove any screws holding on any moldings or trim pieces around the window opening before obliterating this panel; follow along its edges with your fingers until you feel all of them.
Screws Holding On Any Plastic Trim
Next, remove any screws holding on any plastic trim pieces around the back edge of your seat by using a flathead screwdriver to pry them off. Use caution when doing this because some of these screws may be hidden beneath other pieces, and you could strip them out if you’re not careful.
The Gator 835M UTV Won’t Start
If your gator is having trouble starting, you will want to check the battery first. You should also check that all fuses and wires are correctly connected. If you have checked these things and still need help starting, there may be something wrong with your starter or alternator. If this is the case, you will need to replace them so the engine can turn over again.
If your engine doesn’t turn over but cranks over, there could be an issue with your ignition switch or starter solenoid. These parts can often fail without warning due to wear and tear from years of use. Replacing these parts should resolve your problem for good!
Wind Up
The John Deere Gator 835m is a popular off-road vehicle for fun and chores around the farm. It has plenty of room to seat two and haul bulky equipment, as well as its light kit and pre-wired harnesses. It’s reliable and easy to use with responsive steering. But there are also some problems with it, most notably that the price of this vehicle is higher than many competitors’ models.
Some older owners have reported transmission problems with their gators and some electrical issues. Be sure to check out the owner reviews; although they are posted by people not verified purchasers of your model, they give you a sense of some of the problems or complaints the Gator has had in the past. If you purchase the John Deere Gator 835m and you should experience a problem, get it repaired using a dealer or John Deere extended warranty.
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