Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere LT155 Starter Stays On, john deere lawn tractor, john deere lawn

Question
I have a John Deere Lawn Tractor LT155 purchased 7/24/99, Kohler CV15S-41562.  With a cold engine and the choke on I crank the engine and if it does not start in 5 seconds I turn the key off but the starter stays on.  I take the key out and get off the mower but the starter stays on. Usually it stops before I can disconnect the battery.  This problem happens at random.  I also have the same problem when the engine is warm also at random times. Most of the time it starts ok.  I took it in for repair on 10/14/10 at a JD dealer where the starter was cleaned after which it ran ok but after 15 months it happening again.  Will replacing the starter correct the problem?

Answer
Keith
You said the JD Dealer cleaned the starter?? Exactly what did they do I never heard of cleaning a starter except maybe getting the grease off of it. When they did that you said it worked for a while.Maybe you have to install a new starter,you may also have a bad key switch or a bad solenoid it is hard to tell with out looking at the engine.If the solenoid is bad that will cause that symptom try that first.