Kohler command 16 coil test

45chuck · #1 03-27-2012, 10:27 AM

I have no spark. I have the shroud pulled back to access the coil. There are 3 wires connected to the coil (besides the spark plug wire) I have removed the ground wire that was attached to a lug on one of the coil mounting bolts and turned the engine but still no spark. Should i also remove the other 2 wires to see if this coil will fire? The other 2 wires are yellow and brown. I'm not sure what the yellow and brown wires connect to. Will this coil fire if all 3 wires are removed from the coil????
This engine is on my Model 2166 riding mower. Any help would sure be appreciated. Thanks Chuck

R Bedell · #2 03-28-2012, 07:58 AM

The 2166 should have a CH16-45509 Kohler Engine in it. I would suggest you going to http://www.kohlerengines.com/home.htm. Look up a CH16 and download the CH16 Service Manual (TP2402) and specifically look at page 8.6.

45chuck · #3 03-28-2012, 08:51 PM

I have been on that site a couple times before i joined this forum and i have tried every listing under"select engine family" and there is no listing for "kohler command OHV 16" which is what is stamped onto the top of my engine. I cannot find a listing for CH16 as you mention. The diagrams you showed in your post appear to be for my machine. I have pretty much given up trying to find a manual for my machine. At this point i will probably just buy a coil and hope for the best. I have no idea if my coil will fire without the advance hooked up or not. It will fire occasionally when i turn the engine but it is very weak spark. I don't know if the advance unit would cause the coil not to fire if it was bad. The coil is the cheaper of the two. I'll look at the diagrams you provided and see what i can figure from there. Thanks again Chuck

R Bedell · #4 03-28-2012, 09:22 PM

I was on the Kohler site this morning and had no problem finding a CH16. I also had no problem finding the TP-2402 Service Manual.

I'll see if I can download the Manual from the Kohler site to OCC's Manual Storage site.

Check back tomorrow.

45chuck · #5 03-28-2012, 11:07 PM

I found enough info to troubleshoot my system. I cannot for the life of me find any ch 16 info on that site. I finally put ch16 into the search bar and when i clicked on the bottom result (which said ch16, it downloaded ch18 2cyl info in PDF. I'm thinking that im not getting 12v from key switch to the SAM. I know to isolate white kill wire at connector. That will isolate ignition system from safety switches. Had no idea that 12v went to the SAM. I'm excited to get back after it in the morning. I got the info i needed thanks to you. I was about to give up and start buying parts LOL! I'm sorry to put you through so much trouble. I am using Firefox browser and i've had problems in the past with it. Don't know what i'm doing wrong on that Kohler site. Thank you for your help. Chuck

R Bedell · #6 03-29-2012, 06:18 AM

The "SAM" module needs to be powered all the time that the engine is running. It gets it's power from the "R" terminal (Red Wire) on the Ignition Switch.

45chuck · #7 04-03-2012, 01:18 PM

Well, I found that I had 12v going to the SAM and since I saw that my module had a couple cracks in the plastic, I assumed the module was bad. Also because when it did fire it was very weak. I didn't think the SAM would cause a weak spark. So I bought a new module and installed it and still have no spark. I should have taken the time and done the resistance tests on the module. I can only assume that the SAM is bad at this point. First I will check "again" and make sure there is 12v getting to the SAM passed the connectors, as I had only tested for voltage before the connectors.
Here's a question: Is it possible to use a module (coil) from another model that doesn't have a SAM? Perhaps from a CH11-CH15? I don't want to buy a SAM tester because I probably won't purchase another cub cadet 2166. I would rather buy a new module that would eliminate the SAM if possible, And then just sell this module I bought on e-bay.
Oh well, I guess I'll go play with the voltmeter.
BTW I finally was able to download that manual. I was looking in the wrong place. Chuck

cubs-n-bxrs · #8 04-03-2012, 01:39 PM

I had a coil go bad on my CH18. Try swapping the coils and see if the problem follows the coil. My problem followed the coil. I had really weak spark on the bad one also. I just went out and bought 2 new coils and wiped my hands of the situation. The way my luck runs I would replace the bad one and the other one would crap out at a later date down the road.

Sam Mac · #9 04-03-2012, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 45chuck

Well, I found that I had 12v going to the SAM and since I saw that my module had a couple cracks in the plastic, I assumed the module was bad. Also because when it did fire it was very weak. I didn't think the SAM would cause a weak spark. So I bought a new module and installed it and still have no spark. I should have taken the time and done the resistance tests on the module. I can only assume that the SAM is bad at this point. First I will check "again" and make sure there is 12v getting to the SAM passed the connectors, as I had only tested for voltage before the connectors.
Here's a question: Is it possible to use a module (coil) from another model that doesn't have a SAM? Perhaps from a CH11-CH15? I don't want to buy a SAM tester because I probably won't purchase another cub cadet 2166. I would rather buy a new module that would eliminate the SAM if possible, And then just sell this module I bought on e-bay.
Oh well, I guess I'll go play with the voltmeter.
BTW I finally was able to download that manual. I was looking in the wrong place. Chuck

I replaced the SAM on a CH 22. Just put the regular style coils in it. Runs just fine.

45chuck · #10 04-03-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Mac

I replaced the SAM on a CH 22. Just put the regular style coils in it. Runs just fine.

Yea, I'm gonna try a regular coil on it and eliminate that SAM. Regular coil is $44 on e-bay and a SAM is $109+shipping. If $44 will make it work, I'll be happy. We've been getting a lot of rain here in southeast Texas and my grass is growing like crazy. LOL! Soon as this one is running, I'll be working on an older cub cadet that I bought at a storage auction. I think it's a 125 model with a K131 engine. It came with a tiller on the back. I got the engine running, just need to order a belt for the tiller. A lot simpler design than this 2166. Heck, I guess I could start a whole nuther thread about that one. Chuck