This is an irritating problem because you just want to mow your lawn and get onto the next task in your life. But you cannot mow the lawn when your can’t even get the lawn mower to move.
The first step in troubleshooting this problem is to shut off the PTO switch or disengage the PTO lever. Now start the mower and see if you can let out the clutch and drive the mower. If it performs as it should, then the most likely problem is a safety switch and the seat switch is the most likely of the numerous safety switches.
You can remove the switch and test it for continuity across the contacts. If the continuity test fails, you most likely have found the problem. Replace the seat switch and then test your mower again.
If this does not resolve the problem, check the other safety switches in the system. The PTO switch can also cause the lawn mower to die when you let the clutch out.
If you still need help with your lawn mower dying when you let the clutch out, visit our Locations page for a lawn mower repair shop near you.