Craftsman rider interlock problems.

[Greg.Rogers]

You guys are awesome, you steered me to a fix on another issue, so I'll ask about this one. It is a 1998? Craftsman 917.271920. I bought it at a garage sale. It started right up and engaged in gear (Hydrostatic) and moved, but mower engagement cable was broke. I got a NOS cable/lever/switch off ebay and installed it. Also it had a broken seat switch with a dog dish jambed up under seat ! (which is what I believe actually broke the plastic seat switch). Worked great then after replacing those parts. I could engage mower and drive and actually went out in yard and mowed some. Then brought back in and couple days later started up and went to engage drive and engine quits as soon as pedal let off, also quits as soon as blades engaged. Messed around with it again and cleaned the 2 grounds to frame and worked fine again- until next time! I now have all 3 new switches. I am leaning on thinking I have a pinched wire or something to the seat switch. I can leave it completely off and no change- or I can jumper the 2 wires to it and still no change. What you guys think? Thanks so much, Greg.

 

[Auto Doc's]

I never recommend bypassing any safety switches based on sound repair ethics. I've seen machine damage, and some serious injuries happen when people bypass safety switches.

You need to go over the entire harness and disconnect, clean and reconnect every safety switch. Also check the ignition switch pins and clean them.

If you have a simple test light and a multimeter, test everything with the wiring. Most of these issues are simple.