New-ish XT1 having trouble turning over
 

I have a XT1 bought a few months ago (date of manufacture 8/22) and for the last few weeks it will refuse to turn over completely -- just cranks and cranks.

It only has 4.2 hours of use and the last time I filled it up I used fresh gas.

When I do crank the engine, the battery may show as 12 v on first turn, then subsequently drops down to display shows low battery (10.x V). I use a trickle charger and it should be always ready to go.

I've looked for suggestions online and talked with the dealer -- I don't think it's a fuse because it's so new and it is cranking. I also checked the solenoid -- when I placed a screwdriver across the two points it sparks and engine cranks, but doesn't turn over (which indicates that's not the issue)...

I do plan to take it back to the dealer for a look but when I called they said it would possibly be 2-3 months before it would be looked at, because they were backed up with winter equipment. And I am going to have to figure out delivery/transportation back.

So I'm just trying to see if there's a simple solution vs. waiting months.

Appreciate the help in advance and happy to post any photos to help. Engine is a Kohler 5400 series 18 hp.

Thanks!

It is not uncommon to have a bad battery, even though it's less than a year old. A load test will need to be performed on your battery to ensure that it is delivering proper amperage to the starter motor.

If that checks out and the engine is spinning over at normal cranking speed, I would squirt a small amount of fuel into the carburetor opening to see if the engine fires up-even briefly. That will prove you have ignition, timing, and compression. If it does and does not continue to run, you have an all too common problem with fuel delivery. It doesn't take much to make these sealed emissions carbs to not work well, or even at all.

It is under warranty so I would not work on it too much. They may try to say you messed it up. I am with 1711, probably a bad battery. Get it checked before you do anything else.