Connecting those 2 wires together the mower should have
not started at all, so you need to take out, disconnect
those wires altogether, your problem should be in that area.

Fish

Thanks Fish,

I assumed that the safety switch completed the circuit when the plunger is depressed by sitting on the seat. Was I wrong and when depressed it opens the circuit?

Ken

Seat switch is open when seat is occupied.
Seat switch closes when seat is vacant.
Closing the seat switch connects the magneto kill wire to ground, stopping the spark production and causing the engine to quit running.
The clutch switch is part of the interlock circuit and WILL permit the engine to run with the seat empty provided the clutch/brake pedal is down.
But since you connected the seat switch wires together, the clutch switch is the last switch to close and now it acts as though the seat is empty, even when the seat is actually occupied.

Thank You Mownie for that explanation!!

Will disconnect the wires tonight when I get home and give it a try.

Take Care,

Ken

Sure.....

I wish I had said it....

I am doing the brakes on my 40507X8A and after taking everything apart, I forgot the place for a spring that was maybe before the level that pushes the pins or before the washer for the adjusting nut! Can't find a diagram for the brakes or a service manual anywhere. There was also to ball bearings that came out off I don't know where and can figure out where they belong. Anyone with a diagram or familiar whit what goes where?