2002 Murray riding lawn mower. Blades quit turning, put on knew blades, checked bearings, idler pulleys and belt. Mower will not turn over. Read things online about checking the Blade/PTO safety switch and brake/clutch safety switch. I am a woman and need detailed instructions on how to check these things, or any other problem that may be suggested. Appreciate anyone's help.

Hi. On mine, there is a panel beneath the steering wheel between the petals. I removed the two screws holding the panel door, and found the switch on the far right side of th compartment that holds the fuel tank. Reaching my hand in the opening, I was able to pinch the tabs holding the old switch in place, then pulled it and the attached wires out in the space between the engine and the forward/reverse petal. There, I could change the switch. Putting it back and getting everything to line up was a little harder, requiring me to force my arm into the space beneath the fuel tank from the front, then finally from the opening where I removed the panel that started all of this. I squeezed the new switch into its original mounting hole, and replaced the panel and its two screws.

I imagine I could have removed more of the mower to get better access, but, hopefully, I will have retired it before the switches need replacing again.