I got an 02 Craftsman LTX1000 for free. Very happy. It ran great (really purred) after I found the bad fuse that got me this freebie. Seat sensor never killed engine when I lifted off, but would make engine run rough. Otherwise ran great. Now, it's running rough all the time, as if my butt is not on the seat. I can pull the choke a little to make it run slightly better, but still not even close to right. I heard stories about Craftsman having bad wiring from the factory, but this one was good for years. Gave it a general tune up... plugs, fuel & air filter, cleaned the carb & intake, blew out dirt and dust from everywhere, etc, also replaced cracked leaking fuel tank with brand new one. No different. Jumpered the seat sensor, no different. Engaged the mower deck sensor, no different. (blade brake doesn't engage when releasing blade engage lever. Maybe that's another question) It runs slightly better when depressing clutch/brake pedal, but still not purring. Also, I get more popping/backfiring when blades are spinning and pressing/releasing clutch/brake pedal. So, I guess my question is this: Has anybody heard of this before, and could all these problems be linked to a bad safety sensor either under the seat, mower engage lever, or clutch/brake??

Another interesting problem is ignition switch. I was told the old one was bad so it was replaced with brand new one. That may be true, but the engine continues to run for about 5 seconds after switch is turned off and key removed.

I've worked on this thing for a while and can't find a cure, and don't have money to try replacing things that might not be the main problem. Please help. My grass is getting out of control.

Thanks

Hi,
I was mystified for quite a bit of that explanation, thanks by the way for being thorough - those one and two liners are not always a lot of help. It was one small thing you said that was the key!

Quote:

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the engine continues to run for about 5 seconds after switch is turned off and key removed

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was the clue.
You definitely have electrical problems. They are somewhere in the ignition ground system (that is the circuit that grounds the ignition to shut off the engine.) Now that clue, that time delay means that the engine shuts off when the fuel shutoff solenoid shuts and then the fuel in the circuits runs out. That is what causes that five second delay. Cannot say where it is but I would look between the engine and switch. I would say this is why the safety circuits do not work properly since they use this circuit, also.
Peace,
Clarke

Thank you crigby for getting back to me. I can't wait to dig in and hopefully find and fix this problem for good. I'll keep you posted.