Kohler Start solenoid??

Arik434 · #1 06-15-2016, 08:30 AM

I've got a 3184 that I picked up last year. It runs well and I've been using it a bunch. It seems like every other week, when I tried to start it, nothing would happen. Originally, I figured the battery was just weak, as it would start right up as soon as I put the charger on it. Eventually I got sick of that and picked up a new battery. Again, it worked well, for a while, but now its back to randomly not turning over. I then assumed it was the charging system. Initially I was getting 13.1 V to the battery when the engine was running. It seemed that I had a bad connection on the regulator, so I cleaned that up, and it seems to be staying at 14.2 now while running. The AC voltage also checked out well. This morning it would not start and the resting battery voltage was 12.55. I don't see any loose or poor connections in the system. Should I try a new starter solenoid? Any other suggestions? This is a Kohler 18hp engine.

Yosemite Sam · #2 06-15-2016, 09:20 AM

If the charging system is working as it should, you have a bad ground or there is a drain on the system somewhere.

Leadslingingdaddy · #3 06-15-2016, 09:25 AM

Check your ignition connectors... jump the solenoid to see if it cranks..

Arik434 · #4 06-15-2016, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yosemite Sam

If the sharging system is working as it should, you have a bad ground or there is a drain on the system somewhere.

I will double check the ground connection tonight. I have to dig into it a little bit more. Are you referring to a ground from the solenoid to the chassis?

I don't think its a drain on the system, as the battery voltage seems fine and if I put the charger on it, my charger tells me its full and that very little capacity (mah) actually went back into it.

I don't know enough about these systems....but it will start if I put the charger to it. I'm wondering if that slightly higher voltage is enough to give the solenoid the kick it needs to work? Do these things regularly go bad over time?

Arik434 · #5 06-15-2016, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leadslingingdaddy

Check your ignition connectors... jump the solenoid to see if it cranks..

Good idea, thanks. That would be essentially just shorting the two posts on the solenoid?

Leadslingingdaddy · #6 06-15-2016, 11:20 AM

Roger that...Or you can try the 12v supply wire to the post to see if you have current there...

Packard V8 · #7 06-15-2016, 12:53 PM

No experience with the 3000-series, but on the 2000-series with the Kohler, the problem with erratic starting is often in the safety switches. If you look at a wiring diagram, there is a brake switch and a pass through the PTO switch which can FUBAR the starting circuit.

The problem is there are so many unsealed connections in the various safety switches, resistance develops over time and the result is no start or random problems. Replacing the OEM switches just kicks the can down the road and the same problem will occur in the future.

jack vines

Arik434 · #8 06-15-2016, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packard V8

No experience with the 3000-series, but on the 2000-series with the Kohler, the problem with erratic starting is often in the safety switches. If you look at a wiring diagram, there is a brake switch and a pass through the PTO switch which can FUBAR the starting circuit.

The problem is there are so many unsealed connections in the various safety switches, resistance develops over time and the result is no start or random problems. Replacing the OEM switches just kicks the can down the road and the same problem will occur in the future.

jack vines

Thanks for the tip. I was sort of thinking about this as well. A time or two, I forgot to set the parking brake and it didnt start. I immediately thought it was the normal issue, but once I realized the brake was off, it promptly started. My only objection to this would be that whenever I have the problem, putting the battery on the charger will immediately get the engine started. I have to double check, but I feel like the seat safety switch may already be disabled. Honestly, the reverse/PTO swtich drives me nuts, so that will probably get modified as well. I think that would only leave the brake switch?

I think that jumping the solenoid might be the easiest first thing to check.

Mike McKown · #9 06-15-2016, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arik434

I think that jumping the solenoid might be the easiest first thing to check.

I have (had) a kohler that at first would start on the key switch. Then it went for a period of time where I had to jump the solenoid to make it start but it started every time. Then I rewired it by using an auxlillary solenoid That put battery voltage straight straight to the solenoid on the starter and now it starts every time on the key again.

Many people have done this. There is a schematic in the search function on how to do it.

Arik434 · #10 06-15-2016, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McKown

I have (had) a kohler that at first would start on the key switch. Then it went for a period of time where I had to jump the solenoid to make it start but it started every time. Then I rewired it by using an auxlillary solenoid That put battery voltage straight straight to the solenoid on the starter and now it starts every time on the key again.

Many people have done this. There is a schematic in the search function on how to do it.

Great, thanks for the tip. What is the advantage of doing it this way as opposed to replacing the oem solenoid? Cheaper?