RZT50 - PTO switch off turns on PTO?

[johnny1234]

Cub Cadet RZT50 Kohler, I believe it's the '06 model. Bought the mower recently and had to replace starter, PTO switch harness/plug(and went ahead and replaced the PTO switch as well), and ignition switch. Did all this with the deck off so I never got around to testing PTO functionality, beyond hearing the clicks when working the switch, until today. PTO switch down allows mower to start as usual, but this engages the PTO so the blades start spinning as soon as the mower starts. PTO switch up disengages the PTO, but if the switch is off/mower is off I get a PTO light/no start condition when trying to fire up the mower. I did notice that they ran a new blue wire from the PTO cable to the PTO switch, and after some testing I determined this was because the original blue wire has a break in it somewhere within the harness so no continuity.

I know my wiring on the PTO switch side is good, where I cut off the old plug/pigtail and installed the new one. What could be causing the PTO switch to work in reverse when operating the PTO, but normally as far as starting the mower is concerned?

 

[CobyRupert]

Diagrams show the PTO switch as having 2-normally open contacts and 1- normally closed contact (2-N.O., 1-N.C.).
Your description makes it seems like the N.0. and N.C. contacts are wired in reverse, making it seem the switch operates in “reverse”.
Any way for the switch and/harness to somehow be plugged in upside down?
Most likely a couple wires got swapped with the new pigtail/plug.
That is, a wire that goes to a N.O. contact now goes to a N.C. contact and vise-versa.
Or the relay shown to the left of the switch was somehow re-wired backwards.

Do the wire colors match up across each contact and through plugs like this?:

 

[johnny1234]

The PTO switch plug is oriented properly and the wiring is all done per OEM except for that new blue wire that was run by a previous owner because the original has a break in it somewhere. I don't see any relays anywhere, so that may not be the right schematic. Attaching the schematic I've been going by.

I haven't tried plugging the old switch back in to see if it has the same issue, could give that a shot tomorrow.

 

[johnny1234]

Any ideas? With everything buttoned back up after the repairs and part replacements I'm hesitant to pull it all apart again without knowing what's wrong and how to fix it. Unfortunately I'm no electronics/schematic pro so I don't know if this is as simple as swapping two wires around.

 

[johnny1234]

Haven't been able to sort this one out yet.

 

[CobyRupert]

So the interlock (not allowing a start) and dashboard indication that the switch is on when you’re trying to start works correctly.
The operation of the switch for the PTO clutch itself seems reversed.
Check that pins 1 and 4 operate correctly. Switch should be open when switch is down.

 

[johnny1234]

So the interlock (not allowing a start) and dashboard indication that the switch is on when you’re trying to start works correctly.
The operation of the switch for the PTO clutch itself seems reversed.

Correct. Switch works normally for the interlock/dash light, works opposite when operating the PTO clutch. I've looked over that schematic multiple times(the one I linked above), but I'm not seeing how it's able to act like that unless it's a faulty switch.

I'm pretty sure I still have the original switch to try, but I want to make sure I'm not overlooking something that may be obvious to someone else a bit more experienced with wiring diagrams before I go pulling that side of the mower apart again.

 

[CobyRupert]

Check that pins 1 (red) and 4 (blue) operate correctly. Switch should be open when switch is down.

 

[johnny1234]

Those pins have continuity when switch is down/off. With plug removed from switch, blue/red have continuity.

Tested the old switch, same result across those two pins and same functionality as the new switch.

 

[johnny1234]

Still trying to figure this one out. I'm not an electrician so I'm a bit lost here on how to fix this. Turning the mower on with the PTO engaged is not very safe and it's hard on the new starter.