My John Deere js46 died only runs by holding idle

Wayne, correct your oil level to full line, change your spark plug and try mower. If still acting up after a couple minutes, the Gas cap vent may be plugged, remove or loosen cap to see if mower will run longer and better. If no improvement, the carburetor is dirty and needs cleaned or rebuilt.
Lawn Mower Starts Then Stalls

How TECUMSEH FUEL CAP can Give You Problems

lawn mower troubleshooting

HOW TO CLEAN The Carburetor on BRIGGS Stratton Quantum Lawnmower Engines

Check your fuel filter and change it if you havent changed it in a while

Sounds like a faulty fuel pump.Did you check that?

need new coil pack or have short in harness grounding engine from running. check fuel line to carburator. 1. take float bowel off bottom of carb. do not touch float or pin holding float. crank engine over until fuel comes out of carb. If fuel comes out, you don't have fuel problem. put float bowel back on carb. 2. check for spark. take spark plug out of mower. put wire back on plug and place the threads on head [or metal of engine to ground the plug]. crank engine over for a few seconds to see if plug gets spark . [always double check with another spark plug that is good]. [[ Remember!!! you have to have someone sitting on the lawnmower to start. unless you by-pass safety switch [only do this if you understand how the safety switch works. NOT EXPLAINED HERE!!!]] If spark is present, there is no grounding problem. when engine is cool. 3. CHECK COIL PACK. for continuity. When the coil pack gets hot it will stop any juice to the plug. A>Check temp sensor B> Check Safety switches grounding out. C> Check for cut wiring harnes. [loose wires rubbing against pulleys, wires cut by rodents]. Hope this helps.........................GAS

Sounds like the carb is varnished up and needs to be rebuilt. They make rebuild kits depending on the carb number and you can rebuild it.

It is possible if you cleaned the carb you may have upset something. You could have dirt in the carburetor jet. Also make sure you have the right spark plug and that you have it set properly. Also the right gas. Has anything abnormal happened to this machine? Does it run rough in idle? then advance the idle adjustment.

could be bad gas, but it sounds like a choke problem. did it sit over the winter with less than a half tank of gas in it. try putting some rubbing alcohol in the fuel or draining the tank and disconnecting the gas line so you can drain the gas out of the carb. also check the gap of the spark plug and make sure that is correct. when was the last time there was fresh oil put in. also check the air filter, it could be full of dirt.

I have a 115 john deere tractor that runs but the engine will not run smooth I've put a new fuel cap on it a new pump and clean out the carb.

Most common is a dirty air filter, followed by a plugged vent hole in the filler cap on the gas tank. Next would be fuel issues either in the supply line or in the carburetor.
Hope this helps, --W/D--

try holding the throttle open