125 Electrical Help (Kohler 301)

IaHawks · #1 03-31-2014, 10:45 AM

Hey guys, I'm working on my 125 and I have a question about some wiring hookups on the engine. I had bad points on my breaker so I bought a new one and got a new condenser while I was at it, and now I have some questions about re wiring everything. I have one wire with a hookup coming out of the breaker. I also have one coming out of the condenser and another coming over to that side from the negative side of the coil. My question is, how are these all supposed to be connected? Attached is a picture of the diagram in the maintenance manual for the Kohler 301, but it's not really making much sense to me. (Total electrical noob) I'm sure you guys can make much better sense of it.
Thanks in advance!

jimbob200521 · #2 03-31-2014, 11:07 AM

Negative Side of Coil - two wires will come off of the same negative post, one wire goes to your points, the other wire goes to the condenser. The points and condenser ground to the engine so you don't have to worry about that.

Positive Side of Coil - to ignition/key switch.

Top of coil - to spark plug.

gmbadgley · #3 03-31-2014, 12:29 PM

The condenser can go anywhere on the neg. side. Some put it under the tab on the points, some put it on the coil. The purpose if the condenser is to "absorb" voltage when the points are open to prevent arching.

Greg

IaHawks · #4 03-31-2014, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the help. It makes sense, but I went and looked at it and my engine isn't hooked up that way for some reason. There is only one wire coming from the negative side of the coil over to where the condenser and points are. There is one end from both the condenser and points that need to go somewhere. I attached pictures of the way things are, hopefully it'll give a little more insight.

On the left is the lead from the points. On the right is the lead coming from the negative of the coil. In the next picture, I'm holding the old condenser up roughly where it was bolted onto the engine cover with a holding bracket. (An identical one came with the new condenser)

Thanks for the help!

Alvy · #5 03-31-2014, 09:54 PM

Wire pictured on the right that goes through the 2 hold downs above the driveshaft is your coil positive. Points wire and condenser wire both go to negative side of coil. Your replacement coil should be an internally resisted coil and should have a plus and or a minus next to the terminals to tell you which is which. Your coil bracket with coil and condenser should be mounted just to the right of the carburetor, there are two holes there. Did you take the coil off?

Nightow1 · #6 03-31-2014, 10:02 PM

I know this is no help, But That is one dirty engine Lol.

And welcome to OCC!

IaHawks · #7 03-31-2014, 10:08 PM

I did take the coil off, and I just realized I took a video when I took the carb off where I can see how it's. (I did it about 10 months ago, I've been really busy since then) I now see what I need to do. Boy do I feel dumb! I can't believe I completely was think about how it's wired the wrong way. Thanks for the help guys.
And thanks Nightow, it's my grandparent's old mower that has been sitting in a machine shed for about 20 years, so it needs some major TLC.

I'm going to do a total restore, tearing it all down and repainting it, and getting that 50 year old dirt out of it! I figured I ought to get it running before I tore it all apart so I know it's my fault if it doesn't start up after!