therd3 I never figured what was wrong. I replaced the seat switch. blade switch and clutch switch and the ignition switch and the solenoid.Did not fix it. Traced the wires and found no short. I ended up buying a push button starter switch and installed it. Just go from solenoid to button to starter. Disconnect the switches.Turn ignition on, push button and it starts. Ignition will still turn off the mower. Only thing have to remember that the safety does not work.