QuestionWHEN I ENGAGE BLADES THE 20 AMP FUSE BLOWS. OTHER THAN THAT THE ENGINE RUNS FINE UNTILL THEN
AnswerThe first question to ask is what changed. What happened just prior to the fuse blowing the first time. Was someone mowing and the deck was hit. Did it start to happen after maintenance was done. If the answer is it just started, then I would suspect a loose connection shorting circuit or a bear wire in the circuit. These can be hard to find
check the wiring harness for bea wires. check the harness where ever it would go through a hole in the frame check the wire connectors to be sure the wires are not touching in the back of the connector. You should be able to follow 12 votes DC through the circuit with a meter. Normally the engine will die when engaging the PTO if someone is not in the seat. That is what leads me to that circuit.
If okay bench test the clutch. Remove the clutch and apply 12V DC to the clutch connector it should click into operation. You could measure the resistance with the digital ohm meter the reading should be 0.03 ohms. If the clutch is okay and the wiring to the clutch is okay test the PTO switch.
The PTO switch is a double hole double throw switch. There are two separate switches within the PTO switch each is tested separately in each has to operate correctly this can be done with the continuity tester. If this switch is okay go to the seat switch be sure the seat switch is operating properly.
My guess is a bear water or loose connection a bear wire will happen over time where he felt her pulley has rubbed against the wiring causing the insulation to wear off and exposed wire if the fuse blows as soon as you pull the switch it has to be in direct contact with the frame or another wire to cause this. Does it matter what position the deck is the or any other lever on machine is in for this to happen? Something has to have changed.
Another way to do this would be to install a much larger fuse in the system. You have to be very very observant to do this. What will happen is that system will overheat and where the short is will start smoking or get very hot very quickly. If it is a wire that is close to other wires it could melt the insulation on all so I strongly suggest first being absolutely sure it is not a bear wire. If the larger fuse blows immediately you will have to go through the circuit and the wiring harness. You could start replacing parts to try and find it but that way but it will get very expensive.
Remember, something changed to cause. Good luck on your project
