Kohler magnum 12 intermittent spark

[Influencer88 3]

So my wheelhorse was running fine but now not so much.

When starting it up for the first time it takes forever to start, usually 15-20 minutes of fiddling, turn it over for a few seconds, stop, rinse repeat. If I take the plug out and hold it to ground or in a tester I have no spark. Eventually after a while of this I start getting a spark, put the plug back in and she cranks on the first rotation.

I've checked the wires and no bad or shorted wires. Magnets are strong & clean, plug wire is good. I'm thinking the coil is the culprit. And way to test to be sure? If so and it's bad, any good replacement that isn't the $80 oem part?

[km3h 543]

First thing I would check is the ground. Then see if you have 12 volts to positive post of the coil. If not then you should back track from there.

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 10,478]

The Magnum ignition is self-powered so be careful to not allow any external voltage into the ignition wiring. That will release the magic smoke.

 

What I would do even if I had to cut the ignition wire close to the engine to get it separated from the rest of the tractor and see if it works that way. It is not very often we hear of this system failing. More common are shorted switches and breaking that ignition wire will help you diagnose the problem.

 

Garry

[WH nut 553]

With he magnum all you have to do is unplug the 5 wire connector from the motor and spin her over.This eliminates everything but the engine and coil itself

[can whlvr 991]

I would replace the spark plug first

[Influencer88 3]

Already replaced the spark plug twice. I'll see if I can't troubleshoot it more this saturday/sunday. Would really like to get it 100% dependable, I'm selling the murray I got for free a month or so ago but I don't want to sell it until I know the wheelhorse will crank when I need it to.

[diamondred 63]

I bought one through amazon for my M14, $53

 

Solid State Module / Kohler/47 584 03-S

 

  make sure you get the right part number!

[Influencer88 3]

Ok so the module seems to test alright, did the ohm test from the lamination to the plug terminal, got 9300 ohms which is within the 7300-20000 spec.

Disconnected the kill switch wire to remove that from the equation. Disconnected the 5 wire plug. Still no spark.

Not really sure what to test now short of buying a new flywheel to ensure good magnets.

Any suggestions?

[WH nut 553]

Replace the coil

[Influencer88 3]

Well I went for the third time and reset the gap, fired right up after that. Not sure if its just that I finally cranked it enough that it started like it has been doing (like I said in the first post, if I crank it enough over a 15-20 minute period it will eventually start). I'm letting it sit overnight and I'm going to try and crank it tomorrow, we'll see what happens. If that doesn't work I'll be ordering a new coil shortly.