Craftsman 917.270732 B&S17HP (311707-0132-E3) 42" lawn tractor?

Need help with switches! (And a lot more). After much toil, trouble and strife (and about 5 sheared flywheel keys- parts of which were in the crankshaft!), I have the engine/motor on this thing running. I purchased all new switches, and I need to know exactly where they are suppose to go on this machine. (With the exception of the seat switch). When the switches are depressed, the engine starts and runs. But when they (or any one of them) is/are released, the engine dies. This is true of both the clutch and the attachment clutch switches. The attachment clutch switch is in the bracket on the backside of the dash, where it (the old one) was when I started. Right now it is held down only by the weight of the attachment clutch lever, which is only attached to the bracket - no cable is currently hooked up to it. The clutch switch I now have in the chis, on the right side ( from the back/or when sitting on ) the tractor - the clutch pedal is on the opposite (left) side. This was cable-tied shut, laying on top the chis (right side) when I started. I don't understand how the switches work (although I do understand their purpose) - which is also part of the problem. Seems to me there is supposed to be a spring somewhere, to keep it closed? The owners manual only shows these switches on the wiring diagram page, but not where they actually attach on the mower. Even though this tractor was given to me, If I had it to do over again, I would have junked it and bought a JD! I now have over $400 into this, and I feel I am "stuck" with it. And I certainly don't want to buy another Craftsman headache! I would greatly appreciate any and all advise on how to install these switches properly, and avoid byping them altogether (which may very well come soon!) Will leave the brake issue for later, as I can't yet make the bloody thing move, without pushing it!