PTO fuse blows when ignition turns to run position

Grasshopper614 · Apr 17, 2017

Alright everyone, I give up. I need help.
1999 Grasshopper 614
Great mower, always garage kept, always maintained and serviced.
As soon as I turn the key to the run position (1click), it immediately pops a 7.5A PTO fuse. Every time.
Other than that mower starts and runs great.
I replaced the PTO switch and voltage regulator. Truthfully, just because that's been the cause of this for some people online so I just threw $30 at it to see if that'd fix it...it didn't..
I've done a small amount of troubleshooting but maybe someone a little more experienced could give me a few specific details as to what I should be ohming out, where I'm testing for voltage to ground, how to meter the stator and alternator, and what I should be looking for in general.
Thanks.
Here's a link of the schematics.
Wiring Assembly 1999 Grasshopper 614 Lawn Mower Parts- The Mower Shop, Inc.

TractorGuy · Apr 18, 2017

You don't need no stinking fuses! :laughing:

According to that schematic that fuse power originates as a black wire on L1 of the ignition switch. Coming out of the fuse it turns into a brown wire going to a connector. It then remains brown in color and goes to the PTO switch. I assume the illustration #4 push pull switch is the PTO switch. Since you have replaced the push pull switch, and I assume you have the switch open at start up, and it blows the fuse on start up, then the brown wire is most likely grounded somewhere between the fuse and the switch. Ideally you can find where the wire is chafed and repair it. I hate to suggest this BUT if you cannot find where it is shorted then cut the brown wire coming out of the fuse panel and see if that stops it from blowing. If it does you can unplug or cut it at the PTO switch and try connecting a jumper from the fuse to the switch.