I have a lawn mower that was running fine and then it stopped running. It starts fine but, every time I try to engage the blades by pushing on the engage lever, the engine sputters and dies - just like I am going in reverse. What do I have to do to have the blades engage when I push on the lever when I am in neutral or forward?

Thank you

Hi,
Something has happened in the safety circuit that involves the seat. A bad switch, broken wire or bad connection are the likely culprits. The machine must "know" that the seat is occupied when the blades are engaged.
Peace,
Clarke