748 blows fuse in reverse

[wilnis]

Hi-first cutting of the season, 2 y/o 748 with 58 hours and when I push the reverse pedal, the 15amp switched power circuit fuse blows. It did it last year a time or two, googled and searched sites I'm familiar with but found no answers and it quit doing it. Now I'm down to my last fuse, I've blown out all the fuse sites with air but I'm not getting it to work. Any ideas, it's Saturday pm and the dealer is closed. Thanks Bill

 

[wyeguy]

Is there a safety switch so you can't have the mower engaged when backing up? My Craftsman has to have the key set to a certain position so the mower doesn't shut down in reverse. If yours has something similar, there might be a short in the switch or that circuit somewhere.

 

[jenkinsph]

I would start looking for pinched or nicked wires as the likely cause.

 

[wilnis]

Thanks for the replies, I posted on another site and two folks there suggested the back up lights be checked. One was out of the socket, hanging down between the wheel and body, and the light was broken. I removed the light, replaced the socket in the body light, and it works fine now, going into reverse without blowing the fuse. The light had apparently been shorting out against the body/frame and I'll get a new light Monday. I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even know the machine had backup lights as I never drive it at nights, and have never seen it when my wife drives it during the day as I'm at work.
Thanks again for the replies.
Regards-Bill

 

[wyeguy]

Glad you got it figured out. And good troubleshooting info for everyone!