I have a Simplicity GTH hydro 20. It starts in neutral and everything works as it should in that position...lights, hydraulic deck lift and PTO clutch...but as soon as I shift it out of neutral, the engine dies! Does anyone have any ideas on what's up?
The model number is 1691953. It's a GTH Hydro 20; owing to the Kohler 20 HP twin cylinder engine and hydrostatic drive. The numbers from the engine departed long ago. The tag is still there but no information is visible on it.
I replaced the micro switches (interlock switches activated by the shift lever), the PTO switch and the ignition switch. The ignition switch was bad and the others weren't all that expensive so I just replaced them all while I was at it...but it didn't help. When I unplug the middle micro switch (there are three of them), the engine starts in neutral and runs fine in forward and reverse...just like it should. When that switch is connected, it starts fine in neutral but the engine dies when you shift out of neutral. The plug can only go on the switch one way so no chance I have the connector reversed. I can run the tractor with that switch unplugged but would really like to have it the way it should be.
