I may have lost part of this story but I disagree with David and others. I doubt it has anything to do with the interlock switch or wiring. Typically that wire satisfies the start system only by completing a path to ground. There is no hot wire to an interlock switch. All that interlock stuff might do it is allow you to start while in some forward or reverse setting and hurt somebody, not blow fuses. I don't think that is involved. You have not said what the fuse protects that keeps blowing (and it probably does not matter.) You must have a bare hot wire being contacted by the hydrostatic fore/aft pedal or the linkage and mechanical parts connected to the pedal. The fix is to find that wire and wrap it as well as get it out of the way of moving metal. Now, I'm going to stick my nose in your business enough to say -- you need to be adept if not truly comfortable taking that deck on and off. I enjoyed that "get down and can't get back up" stuff you guys described so well ! I am 73 myself and isn't that a **** of a thing we all have ? Don't be bashful -- you've got a grandson, neighbor, some dude you helped 8 or 10 times -- that can help you pull the deck and get it back on. You really gotta get down under there where you can see all the crooks and crannys and find that wire. That or be willing to pay the dealer to find it.