Daron1965 644 #1 Posted October 27, 2018 I pick up a tractor for $50 today. It has a 1986 kohler M18. Hoping to get it running. I can not get any juice to the plugs. It has been messed with by PO. I checked points. Look good. It has a yellow wire coming from the dash area, red wire from points to coil. Both are hot with key in run position, both go dead when engaging starter. It's in a cub 1811. Any suggestions? I'm sure I'm overlooking something Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #2 Posted October 27, 2018 Messed with would be an understatement M 18 (magnums didn't have coil and points they had Magnetos What is spec # and model number of the engine??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #3 Posted October 27, 2018 I just assumed it was an M18, I bought the tractor for parts, parts worth well over my $50 investment. Anyone know what motor it is? I will get sheet metal removed and look for tag. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,572 #4 Posted October 27, 2018 26 minutes ago, Daron1965 said: Both are hot with key in run position, both go dead when engaging starter. This could be an ignition switch issue. Some switches will cut all power except to the starter when in the start position. I would also venture to guess that your ignition switch has a terminal G = ground & M = magneto. If this is so, this is the wrong switch for this ignition set up. You will need a switch that has an I = ignition and no G at all.. To by pass the switch for testing. Remove the all wires from the + side of the coil, Attach a separate wire to the + side of the coil that will be long enough to reach the + post on the battery. While cranking the engine, touch this wire to the + post on the battery, you should get spark by doing this. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #5 Posted October 27, 2018 From Picture i would Guess a KT 17 (or possibly KT19). There was no 18hp KT series Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 26,572 #6 Posted October 27, 2018 42 minutes ago, Daron1965 said: Some questions about the pic above. What is the black wire for? Also wondering about the multiple wire butt spice going on in there. The coil should be wired as such. Keyed battery power to the + side of the coil. A wire from the points and a wire to the condenser on the - side of the coil. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,737 #7 Posted October 27, 2018 First you should remove all the wires that the previous owner has on the coil. Inspect and clean and adjust the points and connect the wire from the points to the "-" side of the coil (leave the condenser off for now). Run a 12 volt jumper to the "+" side of the coil and see if it has spark when it is cranked over. If you have spark then connect the condenser and try it. Let us know what you find. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #8 Posted October 27, 2018 From the short amount of time that I messed with it (waiting for garage to heat up) yellow wire goes toward ignition switch, red wires, butt connected together then to coil. Black wire traced down a few inches toward back of motor. When I go back out, I will trace black wire all the way. The guy was setting tractor up for his grandaughter to pull, but she did not want anything to do with it. He was moving sold to stop from paying to have it moved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,147 #9 Posted October 27, 2018 Just looked at a KT 17 on my C175. only 2 wires on the coil + from ignition switch and one black one (-) that goes to the points. The Condenser is fed by a wire coming out of the points cover... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #10 Posted October 27, 2018 Wife came home and reminded me of dinner plans we had, so won't get back into garage until tomorrow morning. I will try the suggested wiring. Thank you all for your help. I will keep you updated. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #11 Posted October 28, 2018 7 hours ago, pfrederi said: Just looked at a KT 17 on my C175. only 2 wires on the coil + from ignition switch and one black one (-) that goes to the points. The Condenser is fed by a wire coming out of the points cover... I have one wire coming from the points, that splits. One to coil, one to condenser. Going to try and trace the others to there end in the morning. Will try the wiring suggested. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Daron1965 644 #12 Posted November 4, 2018 I have been working 14 or 16hr shifts for the last 8 days, so I have not had much time to do anything. I got home from work a few minutes ago, went into garage. I pulled the side tins off and took a few more pictures. Can not find any tag. (quick look) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites