Check out some similar questions!

JD140GUY · Jul 31, 2007, 04:45 PM

I have a Craftsman lawn tractor (model #917-257481). The engine dies when I pull out the PTO switch to engage the mower. Have replaced PTO switch and the "clutch" switch. It still does it. I can hear the PTO engage. With the new "clutch" switch installed it also dies when you let out the clutch. I have bypassed the seat switch. What have I missed?

MOWERMAN2468 · Aug 1, 2007, 02:48 AM

Just A Possibility, What About The Direction Of Travel Safety? On Most Current Mowers The Engine Will Die If The Blades Are Engaged And The Transmission Is In Reverse, (or Thinks It Is In Reverse). Look Around Underneath The Inside Of The Frame Around Your Gear Shift, Or Directional Shift Arms, You May Find Your Problem There.
Good Luck, Please Let Me Know What You Find.

JD140GUY · Aug 1, 2007, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468

Just A Possibility, What About The Direction Of Travel Safety? On Most Current Mowers The Engine Will Die If The Blades Are Engaged And The Transmission Is In Reverse, (or Thinks It Is In Reverse). Look Around Underneath The Inside Of The Frame Around Your Gear Shift, Or Directional Shift Arms, You May Find Your Problem There.
Good Luck, Please Let Me Know What You Find.

Thank you, that was a good idea. I checked all over under the tractor and did not find a Reverse Safety switch. I disconnected the PTO wires to see if it might be shorting out, and it still dies, so at least I know it is smething ahead of that. I still open for ideas.

MOWERMAN2468 · Aug 1, 2007, 03:20 PM

Can You Give The Model # Of Your Tractor, And Make. There Has To Be A Neutral / Reverse Sensing Safety Device . Sometimes They Are Extremely Hard To Locate. If You Will Send Me The Info. Asked For I Will Try And Find You A Wiring Diagram. Then I Just Have To Figure Out How To Get It Sent To You.

MOWERMAN2468 · Aug 1, 2007, 03:21 PM

Oppss, Sorry I See Your Info. Above Now.

MOWERMAN2468 · Aug 1, 2007, 03:36 PM

o.k. i couldn't remember if you had to be a dealer to look here or not, but here is the web address to look at :

Dixiesales.com

There will be a highlighted area that says "CLICK HERE FOR SEARS MODEL"

Click on there, then enter your tractor model # and use a . Instead of a - in your model # ex. 917. . Then you can click to see the wiring diagram, and , you can look at the part list. You can see all of your parts and diagrams at this website.
Let me know if i can be of further assistance.

JD140GUY · Aug 1, 2007, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by MOWERMAN2468

O.K. I COULDN'T REMEMBER IF YOU HAD TO BE A DEALER TO LOOK HERE OR NOT, BUT HERE IS THE WEB ADDRESS TO LOOK AT :

dixiesales.com

THERE WILL BE A HIGHLIGHTED AREA THAT SAYS "CLICK HERE FOR SEARS MODEL"

CLICK ON THERE, THEN ENTER YOUR TRACTOR MODEL # AND USE A . INSTEAD OF A - IN YOUR MODEL # EX. 917. . THEN YOU CAN CLICK TO SEE THE WIRING DIAGRAM, AND , YOU CAN LOOK AT THE PART LIST. YOU CAN SEE ALL OF YOUR PARTS AND DIAGRAMS AT THIS WEBSITE.
LET ME KNOW IF I CAN BE OF FURTHER ASSISTANCE.

I already did this at Sears.com, and down loaded and printed their wiring diagram. I don't see a reverse switch on it. I think it may be too old to have one.