['97ventureowner]

Are you saying that, that is how you have it wired now, and it won't start? Do you have safety switches on the mower? Some mowers use these to safeguard the operator, and can usually be found under the seat,(weight activated), the clutch, or the switch or handle that turns on the blades. One of the switches may be defective, causing the mower to not start. If there is one under the seat and it works, you either have to sit in the seat or place weight on the seat, (I have been known to use a cement block for this purpose as it seems to be heavy enough to "trick" the switch.) If that is not the problem , I would go over the wiring again looking for breaks in the insulation, check to see if the solenoid is bad, or the starter,or even the ignition switch and if your battery is charged up enough to start the mower. And make sure the ground is clean where you have the neg. battery cable attached.