I just bought a John Deere 11 with the B&S 11hp in it. Head gasket was shot and so was the carb. I got that worked out. Problem is, when I turn the key... nothing. It's got a brand new battery and I can "jump" it by doing a direct connection from the positive lead on the battery to the starter. The seat is ruined... only a metal shell so the driver safety switch is long gone. I have it bridged right now. I am assuming that the driver safety switch was open when the driver was off and closed with it on. So, I have the contacts bridged. I have the brake/clutch pushed all the way down. The ignition switch and wiring harness were a rusty mess so I cleaned the male connectors and replaced the wiring harness that goes to the switch with new female connectors. My multimeter says the switch is working. Not sure if it matters but the headlights don't come on either and the bulbs are all good.

Not sure what to look at next.

Jonathon, March 2009

this isn't an answer but my lt133 wont stay running out of gear with the blades disengaged,,, but what did you set the selector on your multimeter to see if the switch was good??? AC or DC or AC V? 10, 50 or 500?thx.

matt, July 2010