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Sabre started - ran for an hour now won't start

15 years ago

Its a Kohler Command 21. My neighbor used it for the first time this year, started it up without incident and (after filling the perpetually flat rear tires)rode it over to his house and did his lawn. However, when he returned it he said he thought the seat ignition kill switch was "gummed up".

Well it will not start. Period. Checked continuity across the pressure switch in the seat, looks good (though it seems oppposite of what I expected -switch up continuity, switch down no continuity.) Battery is fine. A multimeter across the terminals shows 12.6 volts. There is no clicking noise or anything when the key is turned. I tried to check the terminals at the starter solenoid with a meter but it is a cheap digital meter, auto ranging and I can't make any sense of it. When it touch positive at solenoid and chassis ground it begins to show millivolts and keeps showing ascending values (slowly) whether the ignition is in start position or not.

I suspect the starter solenoid or relay but I would like to know how to pinpoint the problem. Any thoughts?

I'll be breaking out the push mower before I load the beast in to the Econoline and haul it to the $60/hour place so I guess it's not urgent. But I sure would like to get this going before the pasture grows up much more.

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Comments (2)

bill_kapaun
15 years ago
Not sure how that's set up, but check the clutch/neutral switch.
Typically, a seat switch will allow the engine to crank, but no spark.
walt2002
15 years ago
Look for the terminal on the engine where the wires junction from safety switches, kill switch. Disconnect all of them including the kill wire. See if the engine runs. IF so, problem is in your safety switches, ignition switch or some mowers are equipped with an "Interlock" control (safety device)

Quick check of the solenoid, use a small jumper wire from the positive battery terminal of the solenoid to the small terminal on the side (or top) of the solenoid where wire from switch connects. Does it start, turn over? IF not, jump with an old screw driver between the two large terminal of the solenoid. Stab firmly, not tentatively, does starter run?

Let us know results.

Walt Conner
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