🚜Riding Mower

WON'T CRANK

John Deere · S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in.

John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. WON'T CRANK Error Fix: Engine Will Not Crank

Engine does not turn over when key is turned. No clicking or cranking sound. Causes: dead battery, corroded battery terminals, faulty safety interlock (seat switch, PTO switch, brake switch), starter solenoid failure, starter motor failure, blown fuse. Most common cause on John Deere 100 Series is a dead battery or tripped seat safety switch.

High severity2 fixes available✨ Free fix available

Quick Answer

Error WON'T CRANK on the John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. means: Engine Will Not Crank. The top-ranked community fix is “Replace Starter Solenoid or Starter Motor” (medium difficulty, ~60 min, DIY cost: $20-$40). 2 community-ranked fixes available below.

Published February 2026 · 2 fixes · riding mower

Content is based on manufacturer service documentation, community repair experience, and OEM technical bulletins. Always verify with your owner's manual.Learn about our editorial standards.

When to Call a Professional

While many riding mower repairs can be done safely at home, consider hiring a qualified technician if:

This is a high severity error — continued use may cause damage or a safety hazard
The repair involves electrical wiring, gas lines, or refrigerant
You've tried the top-ranked fix and the error persists
You smell gas, see sparking, or notice water leaking
The repair requires specialized tools you don't have
Your appliance is still under manufacturer warranty

Average professional repair cost for this issue: $150-$250.

Other John Deere Models with Error WON'T CRANK

1025R Sub-Compact Utility Tractor 23.9 HP

compact_tractor · 2 fixes

E130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

S130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

S240 Sport Lawn Tractor 21.5 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

X570 Multi-Terrain Tractor 24 HP 48 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

Z345M Zero-Turn Mower 22 HP 42 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

Z355R Zero-Turn Mower 22 HP 48 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

Z530M ZTrak Zero-Turn Mower 24 HP 54 in.

riding_mower · 2 fixes

Other John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. Error Codes

BATTERY DEAD

Battery Won't Hold Charge

2 fixes

BELT SQUEAL

Deck Belt Squealing or Slipping

2 fixes

BLADES WON'T ENGAGE

Blades Won't Engage (PTO)

2 fixes

CRANKS NO START

Engine Cranks but Won't Start

2 fixes

DECK VIBRATION

Excessive Deck Vibration

2 fixes

DIES UNDER LOAD

Engine Dies When Mowing

2 fixes

ELECTRICAL SHORT

Blown Fuse or Electrical Problem

2 fixes

ENGINE SURGES

Engine Surges or Hunts

2 fixes

People Also Ask About John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. Error WON'T CRANK

What does error code WON'T CRANK mean on a John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in.?

Error code WON'T CRANK on the John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. means: Engine Will Not Crank. Engine does not turn over when key is turned. No clicking or cranking sound. Causes: dead battery, corroded battery terminals, faulty safety interlock (seat switch, PTO switch, brake switch), starter solenoid failure, starter motor failure, blown fuse. Most common cause on John Deere 100 Series is a dead battery or tripped seat safety switch.

How do I fix error code WON'T CRANK on my John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in.?

The most successful fix is "Replace Starter Solenoid or Starter Motor" (medium difficulty, ~60 minutes). Estimated DIY cost: $20-$40. HomeMD has 2 community-ranked fixes for this error.

Is error code WON'T CRANK on a John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. serious?

This error is rated high severity. You should address it promptly — continued use could cause damage or safety concerns.

Can I fix John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. error WON'T CRANK myself?

Yes — the top-ranked community fix ("Replace Starter Solenoid or Starter Motor") is rated medium difficulty and takes about 60 minutes. Tools needed: Multimeter, Socket wrench set, Screwdrivers.

How much does it cost to repair John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. error WON'T CRANK?

DIY cost: $20-$40. Professional repair typically costs $150-$250. Many homeowners save money by trying the top-ranked community fix first.

What other error codes does the John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. have?

The John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. has 8 other known error codes, including: BATTERY DEAD (Battery Won't Hold Charge), BELT SQUEAL (Deck Belt Squealing or Slipping), BLADES WON'T ENGAGE (Blades Won't Engage (PTO)), CRANKS NO START (Engine Cranks but Won't Start), DECK VIBRATION (Excessive Deck Vibration), and 3 more.

Which other John Deere models have the WON'T CRANK error?

Error code WON'T CRANK also appears on 9 other John Deere models: 1025R Sub-Compact Utility Tractor 23.9 HP, E130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in., S130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in., S240 Sport Lawn Tractor 21.5 HP 42 in., X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP 42 in., X570 Multi-Terrain Tractor 24 HP 48 in., and 3 more. The fix may vary by model, so check each model's specific page for tailored repair steps.

What other error codes does the John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. have?

The John Deere S100 Lawn Tractor 17.5 HP 42 in. has 8 other known error codes:

BATTERY DEAD — Battery Won't Hold Charge (2 fixes)
BELT SQUEAL — Deck Belt Squealing or Slipping (2 fixes)
BLADES WON'T ENGAGE — Blades Won't Engage (PTO) (2 fixes)
CRANKS NO START — Engine Cranks but Won't Start (2 fixes)
DECK VIBRATION — Excessive Deck Vibration (2 fixes)
DIES UNDER LOAD — Engine Dies When Mowing (2 fixes)
ELECTRICAL SHORT — Blown Fuse or Electrical Problem (2 fixes)
ENGINE SURGES — Engine Surges or Hunts (2 fixes)

Which other John Deere models have the WON'T CRANK error?

Error code WON'T CRANK also appears on 9 other John Deere models:

1025R Sub-Compact Utility Tractor 23.9 HP (compact tractor) · 2 fixes
E130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
S130 Lawn Tractor 22 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
S240 Sport Lawn Tractor 21.5 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
X350 Select Series Lawn Tractor 18.5 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
X570 Multi-Terrain Tractor 24 HP 48 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
Z345M Zero-Turn Mower 22 HP 42 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
Z355R Zero-Turn Mower 22 HP 48 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes
Z530M ZTrak Zero-Turn Mower 24 HP 54 in. (riding mower) · 2 fixes

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