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Craftsman Riding Mower won't turn off

15 years ago

I have a Craftsman Riding mower that I bought a few years ago. It is a 13.5 hp with a 30" cutting deck.

For some reason, the ignition key will not turn off the engine and when I stand up off the seat, it does not shut down automatically anymore. I have to disconnect the spark plug to turn it off.

I checked for loose or cut connections and cleans all of the connections but it still won't turn off. I see a couple of wires that have nothing connected to them, but I checked my tractor out in the Sears store the other day and the new ones have the same wires dangling too.

Any suggestions on how to fix this?

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Comments (4)

johntommybob
15 years ago
What immediatly comes to mind is the switch is not working since it will not shut off the engine. It also makes sense to me that the switch must be frozen in an always on position. All safety switches are wired back to the switch and turn the switch off when they are activated (getting off the seat when the tractor is running), but if the switch is bad they will not work either. So I'm guessing you need a new switch, or ignition module.

I thought about trying to start the tractor with the switch off to see if it is always on, but how to do that I am not sure.

Others may have different ideas
talasonic
15 years ago
Since you have multiple kill switches not working, I figure your problem is probably not the actual switches. It might be the kill wire going to the ignition coil being disconnected. When killing the engine, you connect that kill wire to ground (metal frame of mower). This would be done via the seat switch, or the ignition switch, probably some others can do it too. Any one of these should turn it off, by connecting the kill wire to ground. So, perhaps your kill wire is cut, or disconnected.
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walt2002
15 years ago
"perhaps your kill wire is cut, or disconnected."

Agree.

You really need to post the make and model number of your engine when asking for trouble shooting.

Assuming that it is a B&S flat head single, there will be a junction terminal on the side of the throttle box, where the throttle cable goes to the engine. That terminal is where all the "Kill" wires connect, from the switch, the safety switches and the wire from the coil under the cooling shroud which is the "kill" wire from the coil. Touching a screw driver or jumper wire to this terminal and to a ground should shut off the engine UNLESS the Kill wire from the coil is disconnected or broken. That is a starting point.

As for starting the engine with the switch "Off", just use a jumper wire from the terminal where the cable from the battery attaches to the starter solenoid and to the small terminal on the side of the starter solenoid.

Walt Conner
chris227
Original Author
15 years ago
I fixed the problem last night. I removed the shroud / cowling over the engine and noticed a metal clip that was missing a wire. I found the wire dangling below and hooked it back. It was still a loose connection, so I bent the clip with pliars and put it back on. That was the problem, now everything works! Thanks!!

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