Kohler Courage SV710-740 Service Manual page 79

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. Doing so can damage the starter.
When power is applied to the starter, the armature
rotates. As the armature rotates, the drive pinion
moves out on the drive shaft splines 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.
Refer to the Disassembly and Reassembly Sections for
starter removal and installation procedures.
This subsection covers the operation, troubleshooting,
and repair of the inertia drive, permanent magnet
electric starters.
1. Check the specific gravity of battery. If low, recharge or replace
battery as necessary.
1. Clean corroded connections and tighten loose connections.
2. Replace wires in poor condition and with frayed or broken
insulation.
1. By-pass the switch or solenoid with a jumper wire. If starter
cranks normally, replace the faulty components. Solenoid Shift
Starters: Perform individual solenoid test procedure. See page
7.31
1. Check the specific gravity of battery. If low, recharge or replace
battery as necessary.
1. Check for excessively dirty or worn brushes and commutator.
Clean 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
prevent resistance which could keep the engine from starting.
2. Check for seized engine components such as the bearings,
connecting rod, and piston.
Every 500 hours of operation clean and lubricate the
splines on the starter drive shaft. If the drive pinion
is worn, or has chipped or broken teeth, it must be
replaced. See Figure 7-28.