Spartan zero turn ignition key pad

Douglasdzaster

Douglasdzaster

Active Member
Hello everyone. I’m an old small engine repairman. I have something completely new to me.
I advised my older sister to buy a Hustler. She said no one had them in stock in her area.
She purchased a new Spartan zero turn which I never heard of the brand. It seems well built heavy deck and all. But it’s got a key pad to enter a code that starts the machine. At first she had to repeatedly enter the code until it worked. Now it does nothing. Is anyone familiar with these mowers?
First I’ll pull the panel and check the connections. If I don’t find anything wrong can I bypass that panel and install an ignition key switch?
I appreciate any input thank you.
DDZ
 

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I'm not familiar with this setup; however a little online search seems to indicate that the VersaGuard Advance console has issues (Amazon claims over 50 sold in the last month). You may want to switch over to a keypad switch as suggested by the commenter.

Here is a link to a manual.

This video (at timestamp 2:45) also indicates that the keys are known to get stuck due too dirt/debris (which is clearly shown in your photo).

These things claim to have a 3 year warranty, so that may be an option.
 
TnTinMn said:
I'm not familiar with this setup; however a little online search seems to indicate that the VersaGuard Advance console has issues (Amazon claims over 50 sold in the last month). You may want to switch over to a keypad switch as suggested by the commenter.

Here is a link to a manual.

This video (at timestamp 2:45) also indicates that the keys are known to get stuck due too dirt/debris (which is clearly shown in your photo).

These things claim to have a 3 year warranty, so that may be an option.
Click to expand...
I really appreciate the information. I fallowed the link to Amazon and there’s 3 panels to choose from.
It’s my sister’s mower. She usually uses my advice on what to purchase but she is always looking to save money and sometimes she gets what she pays for. I’ve been retired and not familiar with things popping up lately. I couldn’t figure out why someone would put a key pad like that on a mower. And the fact she doesn’t clean off her equipment after using it.
 
That is a George Jones (the singer) anti-drunk driving model. (LoL) These companies are coming up with all kinds of gimmicks to cash in on what should be a mower anyone can operate.
 
Douglasdzaster said:
... I fallowed the link to Amazon and there’s 3 panels to choose from.
Click to expand...
That that should have taken you to the single review I was referencing. Three panels sounds like you got sent the the main review section that shows three photos. Anyways, here is the text of the review I tried to link too, He also has two pictures that I have not included.

Scuba Steve
1 out of 5 stars

Garbage OEM product​

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2025

The ideal of these keypads is fantastic, but the functionality of them is garbage. 300+ dollars each time and I have replaced mine twice, but have since swapped over to the traditional keypad switch. Save yourself the trouble and order part number 493–0 152–00 for a carburetor engine or 493–0 153–00 for an EFI engine however the 0152 will work on an EFI engine, you just have to swap one wire that is clearly labeled. When the touchpad is working, it’s fantastic. However, when it fails and it will fail, it is garbage. Do yourself a favor as mentioned, convert it over to a key switch.

Spartin knows they have an issue with it and that’s why they made the key switch to go in its place. There should be a recall on this junk.
 
Bertrrr said:
This was a problem for Spartan machines , they actually sell a kit to bypass / work around this key pad Screwup
I chose not to buy one for this reason , not sure where to get the kit but sure someone on the tube will address it
Click to expand...
That’s funny. I just moved to the area and learning what’s what. But Yall ain’t going to believe this. My sister took it to a local small engine shop which is also a dealer. She told them to do whatever they could to install a key ignition switch. They told her they couldn’t do that because it was illegal. So they replaced it with the same thing for $350. Now it’s out again.
 
TnTinMn said:
That that should have taken you to the single review I was referencing. Three panels sounds like you got sent the the main review section that shows three photos. Anyways, here is the text of the review I tried to link too, He also has two pictures that I have not included.

Scuba Steve
1 out of 5 stars

Garbage OEM product​

Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2025

The ideal of these keypads is fantastic, but the functionality of them is garbage. 300+ dollars each time and I have replaced mine twice, but have since swapped over to the traditional keypad switch. Save yourself the trouble and order part number 493–0 152–00 for a carburetor engine or 493–0 153–00 for an EFI engine however the 0152 will work on an EFI engine, you just have to swap one wire that is clearly labeled. When the touchpad is working, it’s fantastic. However, when it fails and it will fail, it is garbage. Do yourself a favor as mentioned, convert it over to a key switch.

Spartin knows they have an issue with it and that’s why they made the key switch to go in its place. There should be a recall on this junk.
Click to expand...
While I was in the link I jump into Amazon and one of the part numbers found the three.
Thanks again for educating me and catching me up. I stopped doing small engine repair almost 10 years ago and my equipment starts right up. I do what I told my customers that brought me the same equipment over and over. 80% was bad gas or they would pick something up and I would tell them what the problem was. Then they go straight home and pour the same gas in it again and call me later questioning my repair. Anyway I never heard of Spatin. I should hang around the site for often. I read that Toro bought Spartin.
 
Douglasdzaster said:
Hello everyone. I’m an old small engine repairman. I have something completely new to me.
I advised my older sister to buy a Hustler. She said no one had them in stock in her area.
She purchased a new Spartan zero turn which I never heard of the brand. It seems well built heavy deck and all. But it’s got a key pad to enter a code that starts the machine. At first she had to repeatedly enter the code until it worked. Now it does nothing. Is anyone familiar with these mowers?
First I’ll pull the panel and check the connections. If I don’t find anything wrong can I bypass that panel and install an ignition key switch?
I appreciate any input thank you.
DDZ
Click to expand...
Spartan has experienced lots of issues with these ignition control boards over the years. Dust, dirt, and water eventually mess them up, and need to be replaced. The new ones the last few years or so come with a 3 year warranty. Spartan and Bad Boy are same basic zero turns from business partners that split years ago. Made in Batesville, Arkansas.
 
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