OK, so I have mowed forward and reverse (with button pressed) for years, no problem. Lately when pressing the button, it may or may not let me mow in reverse. Saturday it just stopped working so I had to disengage the PTO every time I backed up or the engine would die. Decided to bypass the switch. Pulled the plug and attached a jumper (just a wire with a blade connector on each end). Mower was dead, no start, no clicks nothing. Pulled the jumper off and mower started right up. I didn't mess with any pedals, brake was on, just opened throttle and choke. What in the world would make the jumper prevent the mower from turning on?
Side note, I tested the switch with an ohm meter and it tested good but I may still replace it since they're inexpensive. But I'm curious what could cause the mower to not start with the jumper attached?
And, I've heard of a switch on the tranny that also acts as a reverse kill switch? Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!