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Most Common Problems with John Deere Trail Buck

Most Common Problems with John Deere Trail Buck

Modern ATVs are available with limitless sizes, shapes, and purposes. The other good news is all of them come with a variety of excellent features with slight exceptions.

John Deere trail buck is an all-terrain vehicle, launched in 2004 as a 2005 model. This model uses a Rotax Engine of 500-cc or 650-cc. With its exclusive features, this ATV is fun to ride, reliable, exceptional to look at, and handles off-road rides with aplomb.

Nothing is built without error, and John Deere Trail Buck is also no exception. Over time, this vehicle showed some problems, and it would always be best to solve the complications without delay.

In this write-up, we shared the most common problems with John Deere Trail Buck. We aim to assist you in taking prompt action according to the issue.

So, let’s dive in.

5 Most Common Problems with John Deere Trail Buck & Solutions

John Deere Trail Buck is not prone to frequent problems and repairs. But similar to all other vehicles, this version shows the below issues.

1. Slipping Clutch

Pressing the clutch pedal every few seconds is a habit of every driver in modern stop-and-go driving. A few customers complain that, when they press the clutch, the ATV still moves. ATV clutch can generally stop working if any parts fail. Moreover, a clutch’s efficiency reduces over time.

Reasons:

  • Loose or broken clutch cable
  • Broken or loose linkage
  • Failed hydraulic master cylinder
  • Leak in the hydraulic line
  • The improper connection between the pressure plate and throwout bearing
  • Contaminated disc with extraneous material

Customers who complain about this issue have been riding John Deere Trail Buck for ten years. This means this issue is found in old trial bucks. The truth is every vehicle malfunctions after a certain period. If the problem remains underdressed or unsolved, your ATV may stop running.

Solution:

  • Consult with a mechanic to solve it.

2. Leaking Drain Plug

The John Deere 650 Trail Buck users mainly experience this issue.

Although having black drips under the ATV is not a matter to worry about, you can’t avoid solving this issue. Leaking drain plug is quite common in John Deere Trail Buck. This complication can happen due to the facts below.

Reasons:

  • Missing plug washer. An old washer may drop into the waste oil, and probably you have forgotten or did not notice.
  • Worn out crush washer. Over time, crush washers may wear and tear
  •  Over-tightened plug

Solving leakage oil is so effortless, and you don’t need to rush to a mechanic if you follow the way-outs below.

Solutions:

  • Get a new washer and fit it.
  • Inspect the crush washer periodically and replace it if necessary. You can choose between copper, alloy washer, rubberized O-ring seal. Copper and alloy washers wear out quickly as they are soft metals. Rubberized O-ring seal is the most common solution since it withstands wear and tears efficiently.
  • Every manufacturer provides a torque speck for the plug, maintaining it meticulously.

3. Gear Shift Mechanism Issue

This problem arises mostly in John Deere 500 Trail Buck. It can happen due to the transmission’s internals and gear changing mechanism.

Reasons:

  • The faulty clutch is responsible for the gear shift mechanism issue.
  • The car clutch remains active even after the shift is completed, and the power transmission to the wheel is turned on/off.
  • Master cylinder or clutch springs, worn-out plates are the components that cause this problem.
  • Additionally, if the air is available in the fluid channel, it can also be caused.

Solution:

  •  Replace the affected parts.
  • Sometimes, you will require to replace the whole clutch housing if more than one part is creating this complication.

4. Transmission Problem

As per reference.com, a group of people reported transmission problems of John Deere Trail Buck. Investigations reveal that both the 500 and 650 series transmission clutch gives the experience of wearing if the ATV is subjected to carrying a heavy load or heavy-duty work that its recommended load. All in all, transmission problems are quite common in all John Deere ATVs.

If your ATV is within the warranty period, contact your dealer or the manufacturer. They will take the initiatives to solve the transmission issue. Otherwise, you have no other choice except to visit a mechanic shop.

5. Non-functional Instrument Cluster

Proper function of the instrument cluster is necessary for safe riding. Besides, the instrument cluster provides essential information, including fuel gauge, odometer, and speedometer. Owners of John Deere Buck 500EX faced a non-functional instrument cluster.

Here are the reasons for not working the instrument cluster.

Reasons:

  • Faults in the computer
  • Blown fuse
  • Loose connectors
  • Inferior sensors
  • Unprotected gear
  • Overloaded circuit
  • Grounding problems
  • Improper wiring
  • Defective instrument cluster

Let’s look at the solutions below.

Solutions:

  • Install new hardware or software
  • Access to the fuse box positioned in the engine compartment under the driver’s side dash and read the owner’s manual to solve.
  • Inspect for the loose connections and fix them.
  • Call a mechanic or visit an automotive shop. Let them find the wrong sensor. Generally, they use in-depth circuit traces. If required, replace the bad sensors without delay.
  • To access the stripped gear, pull out the instrument cluster. Use compressed air to remove dirt, dust and then clean using a soft microfiber cloth.
  • The faulty voltage regulator needs to be replaced.
  • Consult a professional who can do in-depth circuit traces. Find out the faulty wire and solve it accordingly.
  • You need to head to an ATV mechanic shop to resolve the grounding issue.
  • Replace the instrument cluster without fail.

Final Verdict

While these are the most common problems with John Deere Trail Buck, that doesn’t mean that these complications will arise in every ATV. With periodic maintenance, models of John Deere ATV are known for long-lasting performance.

Hopefully, this guide will help customers take the necessary steps according to the problem. Remember not to ride an ATV when you experience an issue. Things can go wrong anytime, and we don’t know what is coming in the next second.

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