1976 JD300 Electric Start

[jeffsled]

So I've acquired a '76 John Deere 300. It's in pretty good condition and seems to run fine but I was curious if this should have electric start? The only reason I ask is because the key has "Stop, Run, and Start" positions like a car would. I don't see a battery under the hood. I'm sort of a snowmobile newbie so I apologize if this is an obvious question. Thanks!

[JDT]

The same key switch was used on both E-start and manual models.

[Jimmy]

The battery would set in a battery box (metal) with wires leading to it and cables that would hook up to the battery. It should be on the right side just in front of the foot rest . If you don't see any of this then it didn't come with electric start.

[jeffsled]

Cool, that's kinda what I figured, but just wanted to consult the experts. Thanks again!

[jeffsled]

Ok, I may have spoken too soon about it running fine. It appears than I'm only getting spark on one cylinder (the left side). I swapped the spark plugs just to confirm. I also tried a new sparkplug boot/cap and that didn't work. Looking for a good place to start looking for the issue. I would like to give this to my father-in-law for Christmas, so here's to hoping it's something simple!

[JDT]

Switch the red and white wires around the are on the bottom side of the two coils near the fan.

If the dead plug stays on the same side it is the external coil.

If it moves the problem is on the stator plate.
Check the points gap and clean them first.

[jeffsled]

Ok, so I don't think it's the coils. I actually took the cover off the coils and switched them and they both work, but only on the one side. There are two blue wires coming from the engine going to each coil, and a brown wire connecting them. I guess only the one blue wire is working? What does that usually mean? Thanks.

[Matt]

There is another set of coils inside under the flywheel, along with points and condensers. The points may just need to be cleaned/filed, or one of the internal coils could be bad.

[jeffsled]

How do I get to those coils? I have the pull-start already taken off.. does that whole side of engine have to come off to get to those?

[Matt]

Flywheel needs to be removed, along with the shroud if it has a ring gear on it. You either need a sled flywheel puller or a harmonic balancer puller with the right bolts. Use the tech manual for reference on how to do it. May as well do the crank seals too while you have it that far apart.

http://www.vintagesnow.com/John_Deere_files/sm2100.pdf

[jeffsled]

Oh geez, gotta love starting "little" projects, only to end up pulling everything apart! Haha. Thanks for the link, I guess I have no choice at this point.

[JDT]

Hey Jeff, not to worry.

The Kohler is one of the easiest sled engines to service.

But you will need the proper puller for removal of the flywheel, as Matt mentioned, to gain acess to the coils located on the stator plate.
You can buy one, rent one, barrow one ect. Heck, you may already have one. Sometimes they are called steering whele pullers also.

And as long as you are changing the seal on the magneto side best to do the one on the clutch side also.
But to do that you need to remove the clutch. Once again a puller is required and it is not the same as the flywheel one.

New seals will only set you back $10.00 and will be your best investment.

[jeffsled]

I think my brother has a puller, and I've got a John Deere dealership down the road, so I'll be hitting them up for some parts tomorrow. Thanks for all the input!

[JDT]

If you stop at your JD dealership don't mention you are looking for parts for a snowmobile.

They will have security show you the door.

What parts do you anticipate asking them for?

Many parts can be found right here at New BReed Parts.

[jeffsled]

Haha.. why's that?
I'm completely guessing at this point, but I would probably get a new stator plate with the condensers and coils, seals for the flywheel side, and a new ignition coil to replace the one I stupidly pulled the boot off of. I'll take a look at New Breed. I should probably get it apart first to diagnose first though. Hopefully just needs a cleaning.