Kohler Command 16

[rustyj14]

This engine is in a Scotts lawn tractor. The tractor last ran about 5 years ago. It is in nice condition, body wise, etc.
But: It cranks but won't start.
Here's the facts. The previous owner says it ran good when he had it. He sold the house and tractor, says it ran then. Sez it was stored in a tight shed, but the new owner shoved it outside, with no protection from the rain! sat for 2-3 years, with no coverring!
Enter another new owner-me. Knowing some of the facts, i installed a new magneto (coil). Didn't help. New spark plug. Nothing. New oil, air filter, cleaned carb, new ignition switch-ordered the right way. Zilch. Cleaned the flywheel magnet, checked all wires, wired the deck engage handle to keep it tight against the on/off switch.(Deck not on the machine) try to make it run. Clamped the clutch pedal down to
engage the starting process. Nothing!Engine cranks with starter button.Installed new starter solenoid.
 

[ray hofstetter]

Take the sparkplug out and put a LITTLE gas in the cylinder and put the plug back in. If it tries to run, you know it's not getting gas. Take the plug out and connect the plug wire back on it and lay the plug so the end is grounded on the engine and crank it over. Watch for spark, if none- then it's electrical...post back and let us know
 

[joe csuti]

Locate & disconnect ign kill lead in eng wiring harness(usually white)where it connects to tractor wiring harness,if eng has an oil pressure sw mounted on filter adapter,disconnect sw.

Crank eng,if you have spark now,reconnect oil pressure sw,crank eng & check for spark,if you lose spark with sw connected,then problem in lube system(worn oil pump,restricted/plugged filter or bad pressure sw)IF you have spark with sw reconnected,then reconnect white wire to tractor wiring harness & check for spark,if you lose spark with white wire reconnected then problem in safety sw's,ign sw or wiring harness on tractor.

IF eng has smart spark ign(2 leads on mag coil)then goto kohler eng website & download service manual & follow troubleshooting instructions in section 8 of manual,the cv/ch series eng used standard system & smart spark system.

If the problem turns out to be in safety sw's & you're trying to bypass seat safety sw,check connector for seat sw,some mod scotts/jd tractors had a special seat sw connector in that same had an internal shorting contact in connector for seat sw,if you disconnected connector from seat sw,an internal contact grounded kill lead to eng if not plugged into seat sw,this is so you couldn't defeat seat sw,this came up several times on another forum I'm on & connector operation was made known by a jd service man.
 

[t.r.k.]

joe is right about checking for spark.

Just want to add: I have see 3 of those 1 cyl. Kohler Commands shear the flywheel key for no apparent reason. So If you have spark and fuel and compression and it still won't run, check the flywheel key. The spark may be ocurring at the wrong time.
 

[rustyj14]

Sorry--got busy with house problems and didn't have time to check out what ya all told me. Maybe tomorrow, if i can hide from wife!
Thanks to all: Rusty J.
 

[rustyj14]

Well, a friend with a meter and smarts tried to find the problem. found a shorted white wire. Don't know what it is for. Blows fuses when turned on. I tried to find a shorted/ rubbed/ chewed spot-s, but found all good. No wires on oil filter or body. Wired the deck handle in the off position. Deck not on machine.
Won't be too long until it gets a transplant engine. One that i know runs. I have a twin donor out back. Will get my wiring harness to make it run.I guess it sat out in the rain and snow too long, before i bought it. I expected to have problems, so i'm not peezed. Yet. RJ
PS: Got all winter to fix it. even have heat!