John Deere LX 255 Problem

[Anonymous-0]

Hope someone can help me. I have a LX 255 lawn tractor which has been trouble free for ~ 9 years. I have done the regular basic maintenance on the tractor and up until last week it ran very well. Last week after about 15 minutes of mowing the tractor just shut off. Starter would crank fine and it was getting gas (pulled the plug) but no spark / ignition. Didn't matter if the parking brake was on or off or I was in the seat or not ... just would not re start. The following day just for the heck of it I turned the key and it started right up. Went to use it today (knowing that the problem might return) and the mower started fine, however, as soon as I released the parking brake it would shut off even though I was in the seat. I took the seat switch out and pushed the seat switch in and out a few times and re installed. Seemed to fix the problem and I began to mow my lawn. After about 20 minutes same problem ... mower just shut off and will not start. Again it is getting gas and starter cranks fine but no ignition. Could a problem like this be caused by a faulty seat switch or do I have a bigger problem in the ignition or safety interlock system? BTW the LX 255 uses a air cooled single cylinder 15hp koehler engine. Simple and reliable (until now)

 

[IH2444]

Magneto or external 12V coil type of ignition?

Sounds like a probable interlock switch problem somewhere. Seat, neutral or maybe deck engagement.

 

[IH2444]

Better hope it is a wire or interlock switch. the ignition module is VERY expensive.

 

[Kentb of SWMO]

Coil for a 15 HP Kohler is in the $40 to $50 range. It is not like some of the Kawa.engine JD used that had ignition parts prices in the $200 range.

Kent

 

[cjk]

AS A TEST ONLY

Remove the plug from seat switch and jump the connections with a wire. If the switch is bad it will work now. BUY A NEW SWITCH if it is bad. Operating in this condition is DANGEROUS.

 

[Markc]

I'm having the very same problem on my LX255. I'll start it and it will run for about 20 min then automatically shut off.

If I let it sit for 20 minutes I can start it and repeat the process. I would be surprised if it were a switch. I was leaning toward it being something like a sensor under the hood that turns the tractor off at a certain tempature.

Any ideas?

 

[Anonymous-0]

Absolute picture perfect issue happening to me right now with my LX255. I will be bringing it to my JD dealer this afternoon. When I get it back, much poorer $$$ I assume, I will let you know. I've been told by two reputable people that it is the coil. I'll let you know. But same exact symptoms!!! Mine is also 9 years old.

 

[KevinJohn]

Well the JD is back and running like a top! It was most definitely the coil. 20 minute job to replace...sadly the very large JD dealership snuck in an extra 2.5hrs. on the job claiming they tore the engine down and ran electrical diagnostics throughout and all checked fine. DUH! I told them that when I brought it in. So the $53 coil plus $236 labor...and $304 poorer...I'm cuttin' the grass again!!!!

 

[spenmike2003]

(quoted from post at 07:15:08 09/29/09) Well the JD is back and running like a top! It was most definitely the coil. 20 minute job to replace...sadly the very large JD dealership snuck in an extra 2.5hrs. on the job claiming they tore the engine down and ran electrical diagnostics throughout and all checked fine. DUH! I told them that when I brought it in. So the $53 coil plus $236 labor...and $304 poorer...I'm cuttin' the grass again!!!!

hey man can you help me....? my lx 255 is having problems?

 

[spenmike2003]

hey man, what did you do to fix it....? i am having the same problem now with my lx 255