Toro Timecutter Mower Shuts Off When Handles Are Moved Or Blades Engaged | Seat Safety Switch Issue?

In this video I show a situation that happened to me as I went out to mow my grass. I had been getting intermittent signs of the mower shutting off when the blades were engaged or the handles moved. Fortuntaley for me the fix was a simple and easy one.
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[@jla4686]

THANK YOU!!! My mower was shutting off when arms engaged and I check the switch under the seat and found it loose! You saved me another $130 service call. Bless you, sir!!

[@TerenceDIY]

That's awesome! I am glad my video helped you. Thanks for watching.

[@pmventura41]

Working on my neighbors zero turn and when engaging the pto the engine dies. You were right on the money. It was that damn safety button. I just duct taped it and put it up under the seat . Thank you. Them safely switches are a pain in the butt.

[@TerenceDIY]

Yes, they are. I am glad my video helped you. Thank you so much for watching.

[@germanbravo3114]

Thank you. I have the Toro Timecutter SS5000 and I had the same symptoms. I did exactly what you mentioned and now it turns on without a problem. Thank you! it saved me a trip to a repair shop and probably a few hundred dollars. 😀

[@TerenceDIY]

That's awesome! Thank you so much for watching.

[@barbershop7277]

You got a sub from me. Watching this made me realize because the wood was rott on my seat it wasn't engaging the sensor. Thanks

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank yo SO much for the subscription and watching my content.

[@joelodell4245]

Thank you buddy! My mower just done this an hour ago! Ill test this out tomorrow. Too aggrivated right now, but that sounds like it!

[@TerenceDIY]

I have my fingers crossed! Let me know.

[@JuanSanchez-ik7wx]

That gray case at 4:18 pops apart by pressing on the 3 tabs. Then you can push the switch out and inspect the spring. I just took mine apart completely and tested the swtich by clicking it 20 times. Put it all back together and it worked fine. I had a live in roach inside mine.

[@TerenceDIY]

Thanks for sharing that info and watching.

[@ric5835]

Thank you for helping me save some time and money. Exactly the same problem on my Toro SS 4200 ZTR. Removed and cleaned the seat contact with Brake Cleaner and it works like new. Video helped tremendously!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@tonymartinez15949]

Thank you for making that video you were a lot of help. I got my brothers tractor running for him again because of your video. Great job and God bless you.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. I am glad my video helped you. Thanks for watching.

[@thetubeschannel]

Nice video - thank you ! going to test mine now.. same issue with the handles. Might be something else in my case but will test for continuity on the switches. thanks!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@UmmTacos]

Thank you sir, I appreciate the info. I didn't know how to take that seat switch out.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@kellybirge8017]

Thanks, mine did the exact same thing. Saves me taking it to the shop

[@TerenceDIY]

Great! Thanks for watching!

[@JamesRoxby]

I disconnected the battery and sprayed Mass Air Flow spray into the switches and then took an air hose and blew it out. It worked for me. The switches on the handles were dirty.

[@WarrenCanterbury]

Dude thank you I have the same mower same problem exactly,now I know it's what I thought bc my mechanic thought I was crazy

[@aletc3601]

Appreciated for this video, I've been having the same issue for the longest time. Thank you!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@Haircare-rz4qg]

Great job.. My Toro Timecutter 5000 wouldn’t restart after resting it before adding more gas to finish up my front yard. No power and couldn’t restart it so started checking out the safety connections. Not able to turn power at the ignition switch I couldn’t test anything. I replaced the ignition switch first, no change. Purchased a starter solenoid..nothing. For a entire weekend I used KZbin ..nothing I tried worked Frustrated… I replaced everything back with what I had purchased with the same parts I removed. Well…when putting on the old ignition switch I heard something what sounded like something reset itself. Everything working perfectly before the loss of power after adding gas to finish my yard. Needl😮ess to say, I was surprised. Now that I have it up and running again, I’m having the never before handled issue not able to move my mower forward and backwards. My handles feel super loose for whatever reason. Near the sensors, is there supposed to have compression springs in that area ? Also, did you have any issues with your blade switch engaging and shutting off your mower? Excellent job and explanation throughout your video. Definitely I plan to subscribe. Thanks

[@TerenceDIY]

There's no compression spring for the handles. You can make them a little firmer by tightening that 13mm or 14mm bolt that has a few washers on it. I have never had any issues with the switch that powers the blades thus far. Thank you so much for watching.

[@Haircare-rz4qg]

Wanted to ask you if there is a certain plug orientation for the handle sensors (2). I noticed 2 different colored wires from the plug to the sensor itself. The seat sensor is a no-brained

[@countrylife9256]

Thanks for the video, I was starting to feel like I was the only one having the same problem. I did however replace both handle safety switches and the seat switch. PTO clutch is making this clicking noise when you turn it on and off. Also replace the PTO switch and ignition switch and I am still having the same problems. Now I'm thinking maybe the ground wire somewhere. I'm glad your problem got fixed and really appreciate you posting this video

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Please let me know if you figure out your issue. I am curious to see what the problem is. Thanks for watching.

[@sawmill123456]

It's probably the brake controller they go bad and it won't start and other crazy stuff happens!

[@jamesbailey7785]

2 cents. On Mine with steering arms in neutral I can start mower without being in seat. Mine hard click clicks and sometimes will start. Testing Solenoid I have both small connections show ground. One should be I believe the other comes from that darn Neutral brake switch.

[@gsman1]

Thanks for the video. I'm having the same problem on the same mower. I subscribed to your channel and I'll check out your other videos!!

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you SO much for subscribing and watching my content.

[@danryan3146]

Thanks for the video...I'm having a similar issue after reconnecting one of the parking brake linkages that came off. I'll try your suggestions.

[@TerenceDIY]

You're welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@bgreen8315]

Thank you for sharing....So helpful!

[@TerenceDIY]

You're very welcome. Thank YOU for watching.

[@richardhillier442]

Very good job young sir😊

[@TerenceDIY]

Thank you and thanks for watching.

[@bigsonslawncare]

Now that's the kind of repair I like to find simple and quick and 0 cost!💯💪🏾 Is the mower stored outside?

[@bigsonslawncare]

I didn't wait you answered it💯👍🏾

[@TerenceDIY]

@@bigsonslawncare , Yep. lol. Thank you SO much for watching.

[@bigsonslawncare]

@@TerenceDIY ✔️💯👌🏽

[@Patriot41776]

Outstanding! Will check mine now too! Mine starts to stall after I’ve been cutting a while but I guarantee that if it doesn’t fix the problem, I’ll be getting ahead of the next problem with your help! 🫡🇺🇸

[@TerenceDIY]

Great!

[@dusttoyou4550]

Might want to use electrical contact cleaner spray next time or even WD-40. Have heard that Parts Cleaner spray can damage plastics.

[@borg386]

This is why people pay to have their yards mowed. I go through this every year in one way or another. It kust cost so damn much to pay someone to pay 2 acres. Mower shits off whether I engage rhe pto brake lever, or handles. Do you think it could still be the seat safety switch? Thanks for any answers.

[@TerenceDIY]

It absolutely could be the seat switch. It's a very common issue with these mowers and others.

[@borg386]

@@TerenceDIY thanks! When I wiggled and jiggled the switch,the mower came on. Sounds like the issue.

[@TerenceDIY]

Great!

[@borg386]

@@TerenceDIY just a follow up. It turns out it was the brake safety switch. What a pain. But thanks again for the video.

[@TerenceDIY]

I am glad you found out the issue. Once again, thanks for watching.

[@Keyboardletters]

So was this temporary or did cleaning it keep you from having to buy a new one?

[@TerenceDIY]

It definitely fixed the issue. It's still going strong. Thank you for watching.

[@SandraDzamko]

Great help

[@TerenceDIY]

Awesome! Thanks for watching.

[@philliphall5198]

Keep them in side out of the weather helps

[@Mike_The_Hog_A_Nator]

I have an ExMark 52" & it was doing the same & it was 1 bad coil

[@Giod48]

So what do i do if I can't release the parking brake or turn the blades on

[@TerenceDIY]

Can you explain? The parking brake is not working? The Blades?

[@kathleenfaircloth4880]

I replaced the seat switch, still didn't work. Was going to load on trailer and started working 🤷 went to use it again and same thing? Any ideas?

[@TerenceDIY]

How did the switch terminals on the connector / plug look? Any rust, corrosion?

[@kathleenfaircloth4880]

@@TerenceDIY not that I noticed. Going to take off and clean. You think it's possible that the new switch is bad? Might be able to test it today. Thank you for responding! Really appreciate it.

[@TerenceDIY]

If you could test it, that would save you time. Check that connector terminals.

[@babyblue38019]

Ok so mine is doing that but it’s idling to high as well

[@TerenceDIY]

The switch has nothing to do with the idle. Check the throttle cable to see if it's moving in and out freely. I wish I were there to see the issue, I probably could see the problem quickly.

[@tracyjones8231]

What about spraying the air you use on computer keyboards to clear up Debree

[@TerenceDIY]

Maybe. It is compressed air.

[@philliphall5198]

Contact cleaner works great for fixing them 90% of the time

[@Alkapowned]

Definitely low blinker fluid

[@MajorChaos614]

you need to take better care of your mower. your blades are non-existent

[@TerenceDIY]

I bought this mower used and has done quite a few fixes to get it back up to par including changing the blades in which I have a video on. I take care of everything I own. Thanks for watching.