Ariens 1540 Zero Turn, dies when Steering is engaged

I thought at first it was the safety seat switch, but even after I secured it in the engaged position, it stays on when I get off the mower, and when I engage the PTO, but when I engage the steering/throttle forward backward drive, it dies,

then when I pull both the arms out in the neutral position, it keeps running. Could this have to do with the clutch or a belt issue?