Parking brake must be engaged to start mower. while sitting on machine, and disengaging parking brake, mower dies. I "jumped/hardwired" the seat safety switch to over-ride it, same problem occurred. I pulled dash panel off, and found another safety switch operated by the parking brake lever which activates at least one, and maybe two fuse/switches (I can't recall the correct term/name). I can hear and feel one or both clicking when I move the parking lever. Mower worked fine two days ago, parked it trailer, and now can't back it off. Can I override any of the safety switches for testing purposes? Any ideas?? Thanks in advance, Jeff
You can but I wouldn't recommend it. I would get a multimeter and check switches for continuity. This will tell you if switches are good or bad. This switch could be a normally open or normally closed switch that is why I wouldn't recommend jumping it until you know what kind of switch you have. I think your defineitly on the right track though. Good luck.
Why wasn't the mower just started up and moved under it's own power, instead of disconnecting the handles? Did the mower run prior to handle disengagement?
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t sounds like there may be an issue with the safety switches on your John Deere Z225 lawn mower. These safety switches are designed to prevent the engine from running if certain conditions are not met, such as if the parking brake is not engaged, the arms are not in the proper position, or the PTO is engaged.
Here are some things you can check:
Check the parking brake switch to ensure that it is properly engaged. If the switch is faulty, it may not be registering that the parking brake is engaged and will cause the engine to die when you disengage the parking brake.
Check the arm switches to make sure they are properly positioned. If the switches are faulty or out of position, they can cause the engine to die when you move the arms.
Check the PTO switch to ensure that it is properly engaged. If the switch is faulty, it may not be registering that the PTO is engaged and will cause the engine to die when you engage the PTO.
Check the wiring and connections for all the safety switches. Make sure they are not damaged or loose, as this can also cause the engine to die.
If you have checked all the safety switches and wiring and everything appears to be in working order, there may be a deeper electrical issue with the mower that will require further diagnosis
Did you disengage the brake. I sometimes forget to disengage the brake but when the engine starts to shut off i realize that I did not disengage the brake.
Make sure mower is disengaged. (See Engaging and Disengaging Mower in the OPERATING section.)
Lock the park brake.
For automatic models, put transmission shifter into center slot.
Parking brake - ON
If it still doesn't crank, cycle the safetys.
Parking brake - OFF/ON
PTO - ON/OFF
For automatic models, move shifter out of center slot then back.
Seat switch - Rise from seat then sit firmly.
If still no crank, check battery charge is at least12.5VDC. If battery ok, then likely a safety switch has failed or misaligned. Try rotate and hold ignition switch at start position and see if moving safeties allows crank. Move out/in seat, pull PTO switch on push off, move brake to off then back on. Other possible causes include fuse, ignition switch, relay, poor circuit continuity (power, control, or ground).
Hi Thomas:
These machines have enough safety switches to drive us crazy.
The engine will run WITHOUT someone sitting in the operator seat ONLY if the park brake is ON and the mower is NOT engaged.
What I'm thinking is that the switch under the seat is not working, and the machine thinks that no one is on the seat and in control.
May have bad safety swith on seat, parking brake or blade engagement. If any of these switches are bad unit will not crank. Check out those first. You must be sitting on seat, blades disengaged and on some mowers with a parking brake, it must be applied. You can jumper out one switch at a time until you find which one is giving you a problem. Remember these switches are for your safety and should remain in the system. Also check your battery connections for corrosion etc.
What model machine, and are blades engaged by flicking a switch or by actuating a lever. BUT .... did you place machine in neutral, apply parking brake and disengage blade PTO before trying to re-start ?? Machine's safety system needs to be satisfied that the machine is safe to re-start.
The safety switch beneath the seat is only one part of the several interconnecting safety features of the modern riding mower. If the system works properly, you must be seated for the mower deck to operate. The tractor will continue running with the Power Take Off disengaged if the parking brake is set before the operator leaves the seat.The seat switch consists of two electrical contacts normally separated by an air gap. A spring creates an open space between the two contacts. Mounted between two plates, the switch's spring compresses under the weight of the person sitting in the operator seat and completes an electrical circuit. With the switch closed the tractor's ignition system can be switched on with the ignition key. If the operator stands, the spring forces the gap open and interrupts the electrical ignition circuit. The safety circuit allows the riding mower motor to continue running if the PTO is not engaged. When the parking brake is set a second switch in electrical parallel with the OPS closes. This bypasses the safety switch under the seat. If the operator stands, the parking brake switch still completes the ignition circuit.The mower blade turns only when the PTO engages. If the operator should leave the seat with the blade turning and under power, injuries could result. The mower blade would even continue spinning at full power if the machine overturned. To prevent this type of accident, engaging the PTO deactivates a connection in the original circuit and completes a second circuit in series with the OPS switch.
If the operator leaves the seat with the PTO engaged, the ignition interrupts and the machine stops.Until the PTO is off, no combination of settings will restart the mower.
On most riding mowers there are several switches that must be actuated before it will start. First, make sure that blades are disengaged. Also, if there is a handle that engages and disengages the blades, you might try holding it in the dis-engage position in case the switch is out of adjustment. There is probably one under the seat also. This switch kills everything if you are not sitting in the seat for safety reasons. The switch here could be out of adjustment or mis-positioned. Also, make sure the parking brake is set, and the gear is in neutral, and not forward or reverse. Also, even if the parking brake is set, you might try pressing the brake all the way down while starting, as this switch might be out of adjustment. All of the switches should be easy to locate and adjust. Also, you should check the battery. It is possible that you left the key on by mistake and drained it.
My bet would be a saftey switch. On most riding mowers there are several switches that must be actuated before it will start. First, make sure that blades are disengaged. If there is a handle that engages and disengages them, you might try holding it in the dis-engage position in case the switch is out of adjustment. There is probably one under the seat also. This switch kills everything if you are not sitting in the seat for safety reasons. Also, make sure the parking brake is set, and the gear is in neutral, and not forward or reverse. Hope some of this helps. C
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