Transcript:

 

If your John Deere LA115 riding mower stalls as soon as you release the brake or clutch, it’s likely a faulty safety switch or seat switch connection. In this full repair walkthrough, we’ll show you how to test and diagnose every switch that could cause the mower to die, including the seat switch, PTO switch, brake switch, and reverse switch. This fix applies to many John Deere, Cub Cadet, and MTD-made riding mowers with similar safety systems. Whether you’ve already replaced the seat switch or are just starting to troubleshoot, this step-by-step guide will help you find the real issue and get your mower running again.

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Hey everyone, and welcome back to the channel.

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Today, we've got a John Deere LA115. A customer brought it in and says it dies as soon as you release the brake or the clutch. Most people, once they do a little bit of research on this topic, come up with, “Hey, the seat switch is bad. Replace the seat switch.” That is oftentimes the case, but there are many other instances where that is not the actual problem.

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Whether you have a John Deere, a Cub Cadet, a Craftsman, or any other MTD-made product, I’m going to walk you through the full diagnostics and repair to show you how to get this fixed.

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Don’t forget to hit that like and subscribe button as we go along if you enjoy the content.

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Let me show you what it does here. As soon as we release the brake, it dies. Some of them also die when you engage the PTO. This one has a manual PTO. If you have an electronic PTO where you pull it out to engage, depending on your wiring setup, some mowers will die when you do that too. Regardless, it usually comes down to one of the safety switches.

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Step 1: Test the Seat Switch

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Let’s first test that low-hanging fruit—the seat switch—that everyone assumes is the issue.

Some seat switches can be accessed by sliding the seat forward or tilting it. Others, like this one, need to be removed completely. Once we take it off, we’ll release the tab on the connector. I like to pry gently underneath while pulling—it usually comes off easily.

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With the seat off, the switch pops out by pinching both sides and sliding it forward. Now it’s loose and ready to test.

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There are two pairs of terminals: the outer two and the inner two. If your switch is labeled “NC” (normally closed), it should have continuity when not pressed and no continuity when pressed. Set your multimeter to ohms or continuity mode (the horseshoe symbol or beep mode).

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Touch the probes together—you should hear a beep. Now test the terminals:

• Outer pair: connected when not pressed, disconnected when pressed 

• Inner pair: same behavior 

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That means this switch is good.

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Let’s test a different one. This switch is intermittent—sometimes it connects, sometimes it doesn’t. That’s a bad switch. It also feels weird to press, like it’s not engaging properly. If either pair doesn’t work consistently, the switch is bad.

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Some seat switches are only two-prong. If labeled “NC,” they should show a connection until pressed. If labeled “NO” (normally open), it’s the opposite—only connects when pressed.

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Step 2: Test Other Safety Switches

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If your seat switch is good and the mower still dies, the next step is testing all the other safety switches:

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• Brake switch (or clutch switch)

• PTO switch

• Reverse switch (if equipped)

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The brake switch is typically located just inside the operator station, near the pedal. Some mount from the bottom up, others from the side. To remove, pinch both sides of the tab.

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The PTO switch (for manual engagement) is under the dash or fender, depending on your model. Again, pinch the tabs and disconnect the wiring harness.

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Step 3: Use a Multimeter to Test Each Switch

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Set your multimeter to continuity (beep mode).

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• Brake switch:

  • Normally closed when not pressed

  • Opens when the brake is pressed
    Good

• PTO switch:​

  • Common → outer terminal = normally closed

  • Common → center terminal = normally open

  • Pull the switch to toggle the connections
    If any terminal pair doesn’t respond as expected, it’s a bad switch

• Has both normally open and normally closed terminals

 

Important: Just because your PTO engages doesn’t mean all terminals are functioning. You may have partial failure.

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Test your reverse switch (if it only has two terminals) the same way. If it works normally, it’s not the issue. Reverse switches will not cause the mower to die when the brake is released—they're just part of the reverse mow override.

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Step 4: Hidden Issue – Failed Seat Switch Connector

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If you’ve tested or replaced the seat switch, PTO switch, brake switch, and reverse switch—and everything tests good—but the mower still dies, the issue may be the connector under the seat.

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These are designed to prevent bypassing safety switches. Inside the seat switch connector are four terminals. If the internal ground bridge fails, it can still shut off the mower even if the seat switch is working.

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Fix:
Use a small flathead or pick to push up the small tab on the connector from underneath. This allows you to remove the plastic ground-bridge insert. Leave the seat switch plugged in—just remove the internal connector piece that fails.

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This will resolve the false safety signal and allow the mower to operate normally with a functioning seat switch.

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Final Notes

 

If you suspect a wiring harness issue, check for burnt wires, melted connectors, or broken wires between safety switches.

In this case, we installed a new seat switch and the mower is now working as expected.

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Conclusion

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Chances are, if you're watching this video, you've already replaced or tested the seat switch. Hopefully, this helped you find the root cause if the problem persisted.

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Not everything is as straightforward as a single faulty switch. But with some testing, you can trace the issue and get your mower running safely again.

Whether it's a John Deere, MTD, or Craftsman, this same process applies.

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Don’t forget to hit that like and subscribe button if I helped you out.

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Thanks for watching, and have a great day!

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Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

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Q: Why does my John Deere riding mower die when I let off the brake?
A: It’s usually caused by a failed seat switch, brake switch, or wiring issue that disrupts the safety system.

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Q: How do I test the seat switch on my John Deere LA115?
A: Use a multimeter set to ohms to check both pairs of terminals for continuity when pressed and unpressed.

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Q: Can a PTO switch cause the engine to die when releasing the clutch?
A: Yes. A faulty PTO safety switch can prevent the engine from staying running, even if the PTO itself seems to engage.

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Q: What if I replaced the seat switch and it still dies?
A: Check the plug connector beneath the seat. If the internal ground path fails, the mower may still shut off even with a working switch.

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