414-8 No Spark

[Tankman 3,523]

Just adopted a 414-8 (14 hp Kohler), 1988.

Can get the engine to crank but, not start.

Tried removing plug, grounding, didn't see any lightning from the plug.

Help is needed, I'm too old to carry the engine to some dealer. Old enough

to have time on my hands. :)

[can whlvr 994]

check the seat safty switch

[Tankman 3,523]

check the seat safty switch

I'll check that in the A of M and get back to the post.

Can I disable the seat switch; i.e.: connect two wires with a solderless connector?

[1maidenfan 202]

check the seat safty switch

I'll check that in the A of M and get back to the post.

Can I disable the seat switch; i.e.: connect two wires with a solderless connector?

Yes you can

[TT-(Moderator) 1,162]

If the wiring has not been tampered with, the operator presence (seat) switch only only comes in to play if the PTO is engaged.

The Magnum engine uses a module (coil) that is grounded to kill the spark. A simple short to ground in the kill wire circuit equals no spark

If the tractor has not been used lately, I strongly suggest pulling the blower housing and checking for rodent damage at the ignition coil.

[Tankman 3,523]

If the wiring has not been tampered with, the operator presence (seat) switch only only comes in to play if the PTO is engaged.

The Magnum engine uses a module (coil) that is grounded to kill the spark. A simple short to ground in the kill wire circuit equals no spark

If the tractor has not been used lately, I strongly suggest pulling the blower housing and checking for rodent damage at the ignition coil.

Did a lot of electrical connection cleaning this morning. Guess what, she fired up. Without the PTO engaged, I can start the

Kohler without sittin' in the seat.

So far, the renovation is goin' smoothly. The old (whatever they were) Horses I had back in the 70's were so easy.

Now I have to figure out the carburetor settings, running very fast, stalls at low RPM after a minute or two.

Back to the drawing board.