Home Page link

Ignition coil failure on old 14hp Kohler

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Home Repair - - If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Otherwise look here. 

Page 1 of 4       1 2 3 > last >> Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
Ignition coil failure on old 14hp Kohler Scott Willing 08-02-2005
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by Scott Willing on August 2, 2005, 3:12 pm


Last time I tried posting here, the msg never showed up, so this is
something of a test as well as a genuine request.

I bought an old Case garden tractor last year. My neighbor, a
farmer/logger/machinist had rebuilt the engine. This old unit has
battery ignition, i.e. coil and points, with a generator/starter.

It used to die on occasion after a stretch of especially hard work.
Let it cool off for a few hours and it would go again. But this year
one day it died for good.

After finding no spark, I measured the coil with a meter and
discovered the primary winding was open. Got a new coil (along with
points, condensor and plug) and tried the measurement with the new one
just for future reference just to make sure I knew what I was doing.
Measuring the "points" terminal to the +12 terminal I saw the primary
coil resistance, and between "points" and HT terminal, there was the
secondary coil resistance. (I believe this coil may also include a
resistor in the primary, but I don't know that for certain.)

I got it all back together, used it several times and it was running
like a dream, never better. Then the other day, again after a stretch
of particularly hard work (but certainly not the first on the new
parts) wound up close to max rpm, it died.

Lo and behold, the primary winding has gone open on the brand new
coil(!) Just bad luck to get a bum coil, coincidence that the old one
failed? The guy who supplied it is going to exchange it for me but I
gotta wonder if there's a coil-eating problem in this machine.

There's not much else I can think of to suspect except the old
mechanical voltage regulator (and no, unfortunately, I never checked
voltage while running but I surely will). But two experienced repair
guys assure me that there is no way, even if the coil was getting full
unregulated voltage, that it should fail. I'm not so sure.

Other opinions? It's a two-hour drive to pick up a replacement coil,
and I'm not keen to repeat this exercise this year if I can help it.

Would you replace the old mechanical voltage reg just on spec? Should
I be able to find a ready solid-state replacement? Should I care?

Oh, and why is the sky blue?

End of test.

-=s


Posted by RBM on August 2, 2005, 5:20 pm


I can tell you why the sky is blue, but your coil problem, that's a
different matter.
If your Kohler engine is a model K, I believe they make a nice pointless
ignition kit for it, however that only eliminates the points. My guess is
that you've got a bad regulator and I've gotta believe sending high voltage
into the coil will cook it. When you get the new one, run the engine with a
voltage meter across the coil and see






> Last time I tried posting here, the msg never showed up, so this is
> something of a test as well as a genuine request.
>
> I bought an old Case garden tractor last year. My neighbor, a
> farmer/logger/machinist had rebuilt the engine. This old unit has
> battery ignition, i.e. coil and points, with a generator/starter.
>
> It used to die on occasion after a stretch of especially hard work.
> Let it cool off for a few hours and it would go again. But this year
> one day it died for good.
>
> After finding no spark, I measured the coil with a meter and
> discovered the primary winding was open. Got a new coil (along with
> points, condensor and plug) and tried the measurement with the new one
> just for future reference just to make sure I knew what I was doing.
> Measuring the "points" terminal to the +12 terminal I saw the primary
> coil resistance, and between "points" and HT terminal, there was the
> secondary coil resistance. (I believe this coil may also include a
> resistor in the primary, but I don't know that for certain.)
>
> I got it all back together, used it several times and it was running
> like a dream, never better. Then the other day, again after a stretch
> of particularly hard work (but certainly not the first on the new
> parts) wound up close to max rpm, it died.
>
> Lo and behold, the primary winding has gone open on the brand new
> coil(!) Just bad luck to get a bum coil, coincidence that the old one
> failed? The guy who supplied it is going to exchange it for me but I
> gotta wonder if there's a coil-eating problem in this machine.
>
> There's not much else I can think of to suspect except the old
> mechanical voltage regulator (and no, unfortunately, I never checked
> voltage while running but I surely will). But two experienced repair
> guys assure me that there is no way, even if the coil was getting full
> unregulated voltage, that it should fail. I'm not so sure.
>
> Other opinions? It's a two-hour drive to pick up a replacement coil,
> and I'm not keen to repeat this exercise this year if I can help it.
>
> Would you replace the old mechanical voltage reg just on spec? Should
> I be able to find a ready solid-state replacement? Should I care?
>
> Oh, and why is the sky blue?
>
> End of test.
>
> -=s




Posted by Scott Willing on August 3, 2005, 3:27 pm


On Tue, 2 Aug 2005 17:20:25 -0400, "RBM" <rbm2(remove
this)@optonline.net> wrote:

>I can tell you why the sky is blue, but your coil problem, that's a
>different matter.
>If your Kohler engine is a model K, I believe they make a nice pointless
>ignition kit for it, however that only eliminates the points. My guess is
>that you've got a bad regulator and I've gotta believe sending high voltage
>into the coil will cook it. When you get the new one, run the engine with a
>voltage meter across the coil and see

That's the plan...

I have a service manual for the K series (downloadable from Kohler's
website) but this funky belt-drive starter/generator arrangement isn't
covered. Maybe it was unique to Case, I dunno.

And my buddy in the support dept at Kohler's off for a week. <sigh>

-=s

>
>
>
>
>
>
>> Last time I tried posting here, the msg never showed up, so this is
>> something of a test as well as a genuine request.
>>
>> I bought an old Case garden tractor last year. My neighbor, a
>> farmer/logger/machinist had rebuilt the engine. This old unit has
>> battery ignition, i.e. coil and points, with a generator/starter.
>>
>> It used to die on occasion after a stretch of especially hard work.
>> Let it cool off for a few hours and it would go again. But this year
>> one day it died for good.
>>
>> After finding no spark, I measured the coil with a meter and
>> discovered the primary winding was open. Got a new coil (along with
>> points, condensor and plug) and tried the measurement with the new one
>> just for future reference just to make sure I knew what I was doing.
>> Measuring the "points" terminal to the +12 terminal I saw the primary
>> coil resistance, and between "points" and HT terminal, there was the
>> secondary coil resistance. (I believe this coil may also include a
>> resistor in the primary, but I don't know that for certain.)
>>
>> I got it all back together, used it several times and it was running
>> like a dream, never better. Then the other day, again after a stretch
>> of particularly hard work (but certainly not the first on the new
>> parts) wound up close to max rpm, it died.
>>
>> Lo and behold, the primary winding has gone open on the brand new
>> coil(!) Just bad luck to get a bum coil, coincidence that the old one
>> failed? The guy who supplied it is going to exchange it for me but I
>> gotta wonder if there's a coil-eating problem in this machine.
>>
>> There's not much else I can think of to suspect except the old
>> mechanical voltage regulator (and no, unfortunately, I never checked
>> voltage while running but I surely will). But two experienced repair
>> guys assure me that there is no way, even if the coil was getting full
>> unregulated voltage, that it should fail. I'm not so sure.
>>
>> Other opinions? It's a two-hour drive to pick up a replacement coil,
>> and I'm not keen to repeat this exercise this year if I can help it.
>>
>> Would you replace the old mechanical voltage reg just on spec? Should
>> I be able to find a ready solid-state replacement? Should I care?
>>
>> Oh, and why is the sky blue?
>>
>> End of test.
>>
>> -=s
>



Posted by RBM on August 3, 2005, 5:58 pm


Scott, the generator-starter is a thing of beauty. All the old Cub Cadets
used them, they never die. I have one from 1962 works like a charm.


> On Tue, 2 Aug 2005 17:20:25 -0400, "RBM" <rbm2(remove
> this)@optonline.net> wrote:
>
>>I can tell you why the sky is blue, but your coil problem, that's a
>>different matter.
>>If your Kohler engine is a model K, I believe they make a nice pointless
>>ignition kit for it, however that only eliminates the points. My guess is
>>that you've got a bad regulator and I've gotta believe sending high
>>voltage
>>into the coil will cook it. When you get the new one, run the engine with
>>a
>>voltage meter across the coil and see
>
> That's the plan...
>
> I have a service manual for the K series (downloadable from Kohler's
> website) but this funky belt-drive starter/generator arrangement isn't
> covered. Maybe it was unique to Case, I dunno.
>
> And my buddy in the support dept at Kohler's off for a week. <sigh>
>
> -=s
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Last time I tried posting here, the msg never showed up, so this is
>>> something of a test as well as a genuine request.
>>>
>>> I bought an old Case garden tractor last year. My neighbor, a
>>> farmer/logger/machinist had rebuilt the engine. This old unit has
>>> battery ignition, i.e. coil and points, with a generator/starter.
>>>
>>> It used to die on occasion after a stretch of especially hard work.
>>> Let it cool off for a few hours and it would go again. But this year
>>> one day it died for good.
>>>
>>> After finding no spark, I measured the coil with a meter and
>>> discovered the primary winding was open. Got a new coil (along with
>>> points, condensor and plug) and tried the measurement with the new one
>>> just for future reference just to make sure I knew what I was doing.
>>> Measuring the "points" terminal to the +12 terminal I saw the primary
>>> coil resistance, and between "points" and HT terminal, there was the
>>> secondary coil resistance. (I believe this coil may also include a
>>> resistor in the primary, but I don't know that for certain.)
>>>
>>> I got it all back together, used it several times and it was running
>>> like a dream, never better. Then the other day, again after a stretch
>>> of particularly hard work (but certainly not the first on the new
>>> parts) wound up close to max rpm, it died.
>>>
>>> Lo and behold, the primary winding has gone open on the brand new
>>> coil(!) Just bad luck to get a bum coil, coincidence that the old one
>>> failed? The guy who supplied it is going to exchange it for me but I
>>> gotta wonder if there's a coil-eating problem in this machine.
>>>
>>> There's not much else I can think of to suspect except the old
>>> mechanical voltage regulator (and no, unfortunately, I never checked
>>> voltage while running but I surely will). But two experienced repair
>>> guys assure me that there is no way, even if the coil was getting full
>>> unregulated voltage, that it should fail. I'm not so sure.
>>>
>>> Other opinions? It's a two-hour drive to pick up a replacement coil,
>>> and I'm not keen to repeat this exercise this year if I can help it.
>>>
>>> Would you replace the old mechanical voltage reg just on spec? Should
>>> I be able to find a ready solid-state replacement? Should I care?
>>>
>>> Oh, and why is the sky blue?
>>>
>>> End of test.
>>>
>>> -=s
>>
>




Posted by Scott Willing on August 5, 2005, 11:01 am


On Wed, 3 Aug 2005 17:58:21 -0400, "RBM" <rbm2(remove
this)@optonline.net> wrote:

>Scott, the generator-starter is a thing of beauty. All the old Cub Cadets
>used them, they never die. I have one from 1962 works like a charm.

Indeed it seems like a simple and elegant thing.

-=s

>
>
>> On Tue, 2 Aug 2005 17:20:25 -0400, "RBM" <rbm2(remove
>> this)@optonline.net> wrote:
>>
>>>I can tell you why the sky is blue, but your coil problem, that's a
>>>different matter.
>>>If your Kohler engine is a model K, I believe they make a nice pointless
>>>ignition kit for it, however that only eliminates the points. My guess is
>>>that you've got a bad regulator and I've gotta believe sending high
>>>voltage
>>>into the coil will cook it. When you get the new one, run the engine with
>>>a
>>>voltage meter across the coil and see
>>
>> That's the plan...
>>
>> I have a service manual for the K series (downloadable from Kohler's
>> website) but this funky belt-drive starter/generator arrangement isn't
>> covered. Maybe it was unique to Case, I dunno.
>>
>> And my buddy in the support dept at Kohler's off for a week. <sigh>
>>
>> -=s
>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> Last time I tried posting here, the msg never showed up, so this is
>>>> something of a test as well as a genuine request.
>>>>
>>>> I bought an old Case garden tractor last year. My neighbor, a
>>>> farmer/logger/machinist had rebuilt the engine. This old unit has
>>>> battery ignition, i.e. coil and points, with a generator/starter.
>>>>
>>>> It used to die on occasion after a stretch of especially hard work.
>>>> Let it cool off for a few hours and it would go again. But this year
>>>> one day it died for good.
>>>>
>>>> After finding no spark, I measured the coil with a meter and
>>>> discovered the primary winding was open. Got a new coil (along with
>>>> points, condensor and plug) and tried the measurement with the new one
>>>> just for future reference just to make sure I knew what I was doing.
>>>> Measuring the "points" terminal to the +12 terminal I saw the primary
>>>> coil resistance, and between "points" and HT terminal, there was the
>>>> secondary coil resistance. (I believe this coil may also include a
>>>> resistor in the primary, but I don't know that for certain.)
>>>>
>>>> I got it all back together, used it several times and it was running
>>>> like a dream, never better. Then the other day, again after a stretch
>>>> of particularly hard work (but certainly not the first on the new
>>>> parts) wound up close to max rpm, it died.
>>>>
>>>> Lo and behold, the primary winding has gone open on the brand new
>>>> coil(!) Just bad luck to get a bum coil, coincidence that the old one
>>>> failed? The guy who supplied it is going to exchange it for me but I
>>>> gotta wonder if there's a coil-eating problem in this machine.
>>>>
>>>> There's not much else I can think of to suspect except the old
>>>> mechanical voltage regulator (and no, unfortunately, I never checked
>>>> voltage while running but I surely will). But two experienced repair
>>>> guys assure me that there is no way, even if the coil was getting full
>>>> unregulated voltage, that it should fail. I'm not so sure.
>>>>
>>>> Other opinions? It's a two-hour drive to pick up a replacement coil,
>>>> and I'm not keen to repeat this exercise this year if I can help it.
>>>>
>>>> Would you replace the old mechanical voltage reg just on spec? Should
>>>> I be able to find a ready solid-state replacement? Should I care?
>>>>
>>>> Oh, and why is the sky blue?
>>>>
>>>> End of test.
>>>>
>>>> -=s
>>>
>>
>



Page 1 of 4       1 2 3 > last >>
Similar ThreadsPosted
lawnboy m-series ignition coil gap September 13, 2005, 10:13 am
weak ignition coil? (small engine) September 8, 2006, 2:03 pm
Trane coil vs Aspen coil April 19, 2006, 9:42 pm
Gas stove Ignition: How ? January 5, 2006, 2:51 pm
boiler ignition problem December 20, 2006, 11:07 am
Hotpoint electric ignition December 30, 2007, 2:55 pm
Small Engine Ignition Module November 1, 2005, 5:10 pm
To Charlie Bress: Piezo Ignition, etc. ? November 8, 2005, 3:55 pm
Gas smell without ignition for 10 seconds in oven December 16, 2005, 2:31 am
Re: 4 questiones about an old honda ignition system. November 11, 2006, 12:08 am

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap