Electric Starters; Troubleshooting Guide-Starting Difficulties - Kohler Courage SV470-600 Service Manual

Section 7
Electrical System and Components

Electric Starters

These engines use inertia drive starting motors.
Operation
When power is applied to the starter, the armature
rotates. As the armature rotates, the drive pinion
moves out on the splined drive shaft and into mesh
with the flywheel ring gear. When the pinion reaches
the end of the drive shaft, it rotates the flywheel and
"cranks" the engine.
When the engine starts, the flywheel rotates faster
than the starter armature and drive pinion. This moves
the drive pinion out of mesh with the ring gear and into
the retracted position. When power is removed from
the starter, the armature stops rotating and the drive
pinion is held in the retracted position by the anti-drift
spring.
Starting Motor Precautions
NOTE: Do not crank the engine continuously for
more than 10 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start, allow a 60-second cool-down
period between starting attempts. Failure to
follow these guidelines can burn out the
starter motor.
Troubleshooting Guide - Starting Difficulties
Problem Possible Fault
Starter
Does Not
Energize
Starter Switch
or Solenoid
Battery
Brushes
Starter
Energizes
But Turns
Slowly
Transmission
7.14
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1. Check the specific gravity of battery. If low, recharge or replace
Battery
battery as necessary.
1. Clean corroded connections and tighten loose connections.
Wiring
2. Replace wires in poor condition.
1. Bypass the switch or solenoid with a jumper wire. If starter cranks
normally, replace the faulty components.
1. Check the specific gravity of battery. If low, recharge or replace
battery as necessary.
2. Battery too small, must be at least 250 cold-cranking amps.
1. Check for excessively dirty or worn brushes and commutator.
Clean commutator using a coarse cloth (not emery cloth).
2. Replace brushes if excessively or unevenly worn.
1. Make sure the clutch or transmission is disengaged or placed in
neutral. This is especially important on equipment with
hydrostatic drive. The transmission must be exactly in neutral to
or
prevent resistance which could keep the engine from starting.
Engine
2. Check for seized engine components such as the bearings,
connecting rod, and piston.
Not For Resale
NOTE: If the engine develops sufficient speed to
disengage the inertia drive starter but does
not keep running (a false start), the engine
rotation must be allowed to come to a
complete stop before attempting to restart the
engine. If the starter is engaged while the
flywheel is rotating, the starter pinion and
flywheel ring gear may clash, resulting in
damage to the starter.
NOTE: If the starter does not crank the engine, shut
off the starter immediately. Do not make
further attempts to start the engine until the
condition is corrected.
NOTE: Do not drop the starter or strike the starter
frame or end cap. Doing so can damage the
starter.
Correction