in case anyone else finds this...got good help at
http://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=320906&mid=2503715#M2503715
and
http://www.thecombineforum.com/forums/4-john-deere/36628-jd-9600-wont-start-error-71e.html#post306811
john deere 9600 combine won't start at the beginning of the season. Fuel generally leaks down over the winter, but we've not been able to get it run this summer.
It will almost run if the key is held in "Start" position, smokes black and ?pops? ? some pretty hard ignitions, but as soon as...