Kohler coil

[Watashi]

I have a Kohler K321A. It is not getting a good spark. I have cleaned the points and all but still a weak spark. I have put a test light on the points side of the coil and it is not too bright. Should I be getting 12 volts from the coil to the points? Thanks

 

[joe csuti]

As a reference,connect test light across battery terminals,note brightness,disconnect lead from points at - term of coil,remove spark plug,connect test light to + term on coil & lead you disconnected from coil,with ign sw in on/run position,rotate eng by hand till points close,light should be as bright as when you connected to battery,if not then either you have dirty points or bad pitted contacts on same or bad /hi resistance in ign sw contacts,if light bright,then either condenser or coil bad.If you're connecting test light between - term on coil & point lead a dim light is normal,as kohler coils have an internal voltage drop resistor on + side of coil primary winding.Best way to trouble shoot ign system is with a vom,a test light can be fooled.

 

[Tom Arnold]

Points are nothing more than a switch that gets flipped on and off when the engine is rotating. Points provide a ground for the coil. Therefore, the points are in series with the primary winding of the coil. 12 volts is applied to the positive terminal of the coil and leaves the negative terminal of the coil in search of ground. If you use a multimeter set to DC voltage, ground the negative probe of that meter to the block, you should be able to read 12 volts at the positive terminal of the coil and the negative terminal of the coil IF the points are open.

You will also read 12 volts at the stud on the points IF the points are open. When the points close, there should be no reading. A test light will not disclose the voltage and that's important. Over time, coils do get weak and need to be replaced. So do condensors. Coil wires are also a source of weak spark due to the insulation breaking down and allowing voltage to leak away.

Leave no stone unturned here. Points, condenser, coil wire and spark plugs are not expensive to buy. If you still have a weak spark then buy a QUALITY coil such as a Bosch or OEM Kohler that is meant to receive 12 volts. Do not buy or use a coil meant for an automobile. Those are 8 volt coils and will ruin your points fast.

 

[Anonymous-0]

If you haven't tried a known-to-be-good condenser on it, its a lot cheaper than a Kohler coil.