Riding Lawn Mower Dies When You Release the Brake

[@waynelynch3862]

THANK YOU! ''Fixing this problem may be as simple as plugging a loose wire harness back into the seat switch.'' My Murray had this problem. I had to remove the battery to access the seat switch. Sure enough, it was loose. Finally, an easy repair.... Thanks to Utube and Sears

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear you got the mower fixed.

[@Drew774]

I knew as soon as I saw this guy this video would work. Thank you!

[@johnlopez1342]

I saw this video and went and looked at the kill switch under the seat and found a bolt that was detached. The mower started but would die after I released the brake. This solved the problem for me. Thank you so much!

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for letting us know what you found. We're glad to hear that you got your mower fixed and that our video helped.

[@PostersGamingg]

Within the first 20 seconds of this video, you pinpointed my problem. Thank you!

[@clarawalters8519]

Wow, thank you so much!! I am glad it was something so simple this time.

[@ig8___]

Exactly my problem too - unplugging, hitting with some contact cleaner fixed this issue for me

[@kyleneely1466]

Sure enough! It was pulled out but it was a bit loose. Pushed it back in and works fine. Thank you!

[@James-ew4sh]

thank for your help put mower cuts off when stearing engauged

[@greatagainmowing8296]

I have solved the problem on several occasions by pulling out the 3 fuses under the seat and pushing the same ones back into place, without having to buy new ones. My John Deere is super old, and special.

[@MikeHunt-kc2bu]

Guys check your brake switch or clutch switch too.

[@shadowopsairman1583]

I have a Craftsman LT2000 with BS Intek 18HP engine, seat switch is fine, replaced both interlock switches (brake & blade engage) when i release brake it dies, as its dying if I engage brake the engine springs back on, is there anything else there could be?

[@Inisfad]

I’m really glad that I found this video, and glad that you seem to respond to questions, as well. My mower won’t start with the key - no noise, clicks, nothing. The battery and starter check out ok. I found that I could jump start the mower by having the parking brake engaged and key to the on position. Are these safety switches (brake, seat, etc.,) in series? Does starting my mower with the parking brake engaged mean that it’s the seat switch that’s the problem? Thanks for any advice you might have

[@searspartsdirect]

Many riding mowers have a blade engagement interlock switch in series with the brake switch. Here's a troubleshooting video/article that shows how to check interlock switches and addresses the starting problem that you're facing: www.searspartsdirect.com/article/riding-lawn-mower-wont-turn-over-or-click-video.html . We hope this additional information helps. Let us know if you need further assistance.

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

Fixed in seconds; thank you sir

[@docterry0]

Mine was loose. Thank you!

[@duncan1945]

Hi Sears, Great video. I have a Mountfield 1361H ride on mower. Mine starts if you turn the ignition key but instantly stops when its released. I have fitted new switch and solenoid but still doesn't work. It runs fine if I hold the switch constantly on start, ?????? Mystified from Cornwall UK. All the best Duncan.

[@Darkmaniac]

same problem did u fix

[@duncan1945]

@@Darkmaniac Hi Brady, Yes, well a mechanic did. It was me putting the wires on the wrong way round on the ignition switch 😜🚂. I should have taken a picture beforehand. 👍🏻🏎

[@murphy626]

This also works for my John Deere riding mower. Thanks.

[@tommygun8601]

My mower cuts out when I get off the seat even when my parking brake is on, any ideas? Thanks

[@gavynscott2939]

Thank you so much that's exactly what I need to know

[@Serpentesque]

My mtd yardman has this issue but I don't have a safety switch under the seat? Soon as I release the brake the revs drop & engine stops.. model number: 13AP604G371

[@jalijan59]

Thank you that really help me....

[@Ready2Ride08]

Thanks! This solved my problem!

[@billwest-sells9512]

Thanks!

[@ZteveW]

This is gonna sound crazy but my mower cut-off on me in the middle of cutting the grass. The fuse was the first thing I checked and it looked fine so I checked ever safety switch, connector, harness, relay and solenoid. Out of desperation, I decided to jump the fuse and it turned over. What gives? The fuse wasn't visually blown but obviously, it was the problem.

[@searspartsdirect]

A wire with a cut in its insulation may have shorted to the mower’s frame. If the fuse blows again after you replace it, use the troubleshooting shown in this video to find the cause of the short that’s blowing the fuse: www.searspartsdirect.com/article/troubleshooting-a-riding-lawn-mower-blown-fuse-video.html.

[@VikoBoop]

Bypassed switch still stalling when deck engaged or clutch released? Edit: stupid in line fuze was hidden lol!

[@sandracimonetti5307]

Thank you!! It was a piece of dry grass.

[@BlondeExplorer1]

✨✨ Excellent 🌈⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌈Thank You!⭐️I was able to fix it myself with your helpful video. ✨✨

[@searspartsdirect]

Thanks for the encouragement. We're glad you were able to fix the problem.

[@michaeljewell6056]

Ok grandbabies r playing to day good luck kids we love ya....

[@donaldallaway5769]

I just replaced the idler pulleys on 42" craftsman mower. When Put new pulleys I noticed the right pulley is about 1/2" lower than the left one. Is this normal or should there b a spacer ?

[@searspartsdirect]

The right pulley does hang about ½-inch lower than the left idler pulley on many 42” Craftsman riding mowers. What you’re seeing is likely normal.

[@donaldallaway5769]

Thanks for reply, now I can stop searching parts diagrams.

[@anthonymcbealree9209]

+Donald Always have a good day

[@bsboyscout]

Ok where do you get one? What is the part and number?

[@searspartsdirect]

The seat switch shown in the video is part 401545 ( www.searspartsdirect.com/product/1e47k88x3d-0071-917/id-401545 ). That part may not fit your model if you have a different type of riding mower. We recommend that you look up the part for your mower by using the mower's model number to find the parts list diagram here: www.searspartsdirect.com/ We hope this information helps. If you need further assistance, let us know.

[@davidblake5650]

I was 5 minutes into using the mower mowing lawn when it died. It starts up just fine and will run till i take off the brake, does not even have blades going and shuts off. I checked seat switch and seems fine, i checked with meter and seems fine as well. Nothing seems wrong with wiring harness. Now what? My model is 917.289280

[@searspartsdirect]

Your details indicate that a bad seat switch or a short in the wire harness is cause the engine to die when you release the brake. You can try replacing the seat switch. If the engine still dies when you release the brake after replacing the seat switch, then a short in the wiring harness is likely causing the problem.

[@davidblake5650]

Sears PartsDirect nope again i tried checking with the meter and it is fine. I have found the problem and it is not either the harness or the seat switch. It is the break/clutch switch which has gone bad. After testing everything myself i figured it out. So you are wrong. Sorry

[@mattswann1156]

Good onya mate cheers 🤙

[@McC1oudv2]

Ugh, these damn seat kill switches. Gimme an option to disable em.

[@fair2middlin]

Disabling the switches is always an option

[@chosenmelons6414]

My lawnmower dies when I turn on the blades, any suggestions?

[@chosenmelons6414]

obuBBubo yes and that is a good but it won't start if I'm on the seat

[@searspartsdirect]

A short circuit in the seat switch or its wiring harness may be grounding the ignition system and causing the engine to die when you turn on the blades. That type of problem could also prevent the engine from starting when you’re sitting on the seat. Check the seat switch using a multimeter as shown in the video. If your riding mower uses a different type of seat switch, post the model number of your riding mower and we’ll provide additional troubleshooting tips.

[@keithroberts8523]

What if it blows the fuse when you plug it in?

[@keithroberts8523]

Model # 917.275970

[@searspartsdirect]

The blown fuse indicates that you have a short in a wire or component (such as the ignition switch) that is causing high current flow through the fuse. We recommend that you use the troubleshooting in this video to find the cause of the blown fuse: www.searspartsdirect.com/article/troubleshooting-a-riding-lawn-mower-blown-fuse-video.html. Here's a link for the owner's manual for your lawn tractor: www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/user-manuals/917275970-craftsman-parts-manual. The owner's manual has a wiring diagram on page 33. The wiring diagram can help you when looking for the cause of the blown fuse.

[@pepe58pepito54]

anybody knows why my shuts off when i release the brakes

[@searspartsdirect]

Check the seat switch as shown in the video. If that doesn't help, let us know the model number of your mower and we'll try to provide additional troubleshooting help.

[@joesmith-fi1sx]

👍

[@Brandon_Jackson]

I bought a used lawn mower and mine is tapped so the mower won’t turn of when I get up. Hhhmmmm I’m not going near ditches

[@frankdavidson9675]

sound like some one has bypassed the seat switch raise up the seat see if the switch is connected if so try this turn key to on pos raise up the hood now pressdown hard on the seat you should hear a faint click which is seat relay operating this what stops the eng normally thr relay is located right behind eng.ita little black box about an inch and 1/4 square about 5 wires

[@nicholashenderson6328]

zero turn mower u be driving it then dies and starts back up just fine and does it again

[@searspartsdirect]

Check the wiring connection on the seat switch because a loose wiring connection could be causing the mower to die. If the wiring is okay, check the seat switch for damage and replace it if it’s cracked or broken. If these tips don’t help you fix the problem, let us know the model number of your zero turn riding mower and we’ll try to offer some additional troubleshooting tips.

[@jeffreymahan6506]

I'm a

[@shanecampbell8955]

Thank you

[@REDAC7ED]

THANK YOU