John Deere AM102628 lawn mower starter motor | 12V 9-tooth | single-cylinder air-cooled

12V replacement starter motor reference for compact John Deere riding mowers. John Deere identifies AM102628 as a starter motor; the unit is a Denso-built starter, also listed under Kawasaki 21163-2068 and Denso 128000-276, for small-horsepower riding mowers.

OEM and Search References

• Primary reference: AM102628 (John Deere)
• Substitute reference: Denso 128000-276 / 128000-2760; Kawasaki 21163-2068; Lester 18403; Arrowhead SND0006; J&N 410-52068; RCP ST-18403; TIANGUAN STG series equivalents
• Equipment reference: John Deere compact riding mowers: 130 (1986–1988, 9HP), GX75 / RX75 / SRX75 / SX75 (1991–1996, 9HP Kawasaki FC290V single-cylinder air-cooled); also fits Toro 222-5 (12.5HP Kawasaki).
• Buyer search terms: John Deere AM102628 starter, AM102628 starter motor, John Deere GX75 starter, RX75 starter, SX75 starter, John Deere 130 starter, Kawasaki FC290V starter, Denso 9 tooth starter, compact riding mower starting motor.

Reference Specifications

• System voltage: 12V, as stated in the product title.
• Power: 0.6 kW, reported by compatible replacement listings cross-referenced to AM102628.
• Pinion: 9 teeth, reported by compatible replacement listings cross-referenced to AM102628.
• Pinion outer diameter: 28.2 mm (1.11 in); mounting: two 8 mm plain holes; structure: Denso-type compact PMDD permanent-magnet direct drive, approx. 2.0 kg.
• Rotation: counterclockwise (CCW, viewed from the pinion end), reported by compatible replacement listings cross-referenced to AM102628.
• These pinion, rotation, and mounting details are not confirmed John Deere factory specifications. Match them against the removed unit before ordering.

Fitment and Purchase Checks

• Catalog-listed equipment: John Deere 130 and 75-series riding mowers listed above. Confirm mower model and serial number, engine configuration (Kawasaki FC290V), existing starter number, voltage, pinion tooth count (9 teeth), rotation, mounting pattern, terminal layout, and physical dimensions before purchase. Exact AM102628 length, width, and height have not been verified and are omitted.

Product Positioning

John Deere 130 and the GX75 / RX75 / SRX75 / SX75 series are compact riding mowers built around the 9 HP Kawasaki FC290V single-cylinder engine (286 cc), and their starter bays are tight - the original Denso-built unit is the smallest and lightest starter in this whole family, and nothing larger physically fits. When the original wears out after thirty years of seasonal starts, owners need an exact-size replacement, not a near-match. This starter reproduces the original 9-tooth pinion, compact Denso body, two-hole mounting pattern and terminal position exactly, so a workshop replaces the unit as a whole and moves on. For parts distributors, one SKU carries both the John Deere AM102628 and Kawasaki 21163-2068 numbers, serving the Deere compact-mower market and the Kawasaki engine market from a single stock line.

How It Works: Power and Engagement

The unit is a compact Denso-type permanent-magnet direct-drive (PMDD) design: a copper-wound armature spins inside a ring of ferrite magnets, and the 9-tooth pinion is fixed directly to the armature shaft, so cranking response is immediate when current flows. Turning the key energizes the solenoid first, sliding the pinion into mesh with the flywheel ring gear before the main contacts close and apply full battery voltage - the two-step sequence that prevents tooth-on-tooth grinding on small ring gears that have little margin for error. Rotation is counter-clockwise viewed from the pinion end, matching the FC290V flywheel. The two plain 8 mm mounting holes locate the pinion-to-ring-gear clearance exactly as the factory unit did, which keeps engagement quiet and complete despite the tight bay.

Materials and Durability

• Pinion: hardened steel with a ground tooth profile, resisting the tooth-thinning wear common on high-hour starters.
• Windings: copper wire for low resistance and good heat rejection during repeated start cycles.
• Magnets: ferrite field magnets, stable at engine-bay temperatures and resistant to demagnetization.
• Brushes and commutator: sized for long service life inside a dust-tight brush holder that keeps grass grit away from the contact area.
• Housing: compact coated shell, approx. 2.0 kg, that withstands rain, grass debris, and the wash-down exposure typical of lawn-mower service.

Problems It Solves

These compact mowers usually arrive at the shop with one of four complaints. First, slow cranking that worsens when the engine is hot, caused by weak brush contact or dragging magnets inside the worn original. Second, a grinding or slipping noise from pinion teeth that no longer mesh fully with the ring gear. Third, intermittent no-start from arced or contaminated commutator surfaces after years of shed storage. Fourth, a single click with no cranking from burned solenoid contacts. Replacing the complete starter clears all four in one step instead of chasing parts inside a worn unit. One caution before ordering: this is the 9-tooth compact unit for the FC290V - count the teeth on the removed pinion and compare body size before you buy, because larger Deere starters look similar but will not fit the bay.

Replacement Value for Shops and Distributors

This listing is organized for outdoor power equipment procurement teams, repair shops, and parts distributors searching by equipment model and OEM reference. As the smallest and lightest unit in this starter family, it is the only option for mowers with restricted starter-bay clearance; it also carries the Kawasaki 21163-2068 number, serving two markets from one SKU. Standard supply terms: MOQ 50 pieces, lead time 7–30 days, 12-month warranty, certified to ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 / CE. For quotation, specify the mower model, old-part number, required quantity, and destination. Confirm price, stock, package quantity, and delivery terms with the seller before placing a purchase order.