How to Install a Mower Stop Switch

Put the riding mower into the neutral or parking gear and disengage the cutting blade. Turn off the engine and pull the keys out of the ignition. Let the engine cool.

Open the hood and with the pliers disconnect the positive wire on the battery.

Tilt the operator's seat up, exposing the old stop switch. It will look like a plastic wire harness, with two separate wires running to the underside of the operator's seat down to the engine compartment.

Grasp the wire harness with both hands and depress the retaining tabs on either side of the plastic device. Then pull the plug from the harness by hand or use pliers. The wires will now be free from the stop switch.

Unfasten the mounting screws with a Phillips screwdriver, holding the old stop switch in place. Pull the old stop switch off the underside of the operator's seat by hand or use pliers if stuck.

Situate the new stop switch into place, aligning the predrilled holes on the sides with the holes in the underside of the operator's seat. Fasten the mounting screws with the Phillips screwdriver to hold the new kill switch in place.

Retrieve the wires you unplugged earlier and plug them into the new stop switch. Lower the seat and then reconnect the positive wire to the battery. Tighten the wire down with pliers to hold it on the battery post.

Sit on the operator's seat and put the keys back in the ignition. Turn the engine over and stand up from the seat to test the new stop switch; the engine should shut off as you stand up from the operator's seat.