Paul D. 26 #1 Posted March 29, 2012 So went out to mow the lawn before we head out of town tomorrow and the tractor started turning over but not very well. The battery is new so I know that's not it. I try turning a little more and then it just clicks. And a little thread of smoke comes out of the starter. Although I can turn the motor over by hand. I won't have time to pull it apart and look at it until Sunday afternoon at the earliest buy I'm thinking it's smoked. So I guess my question is do I look for a used one to replace mine or do I look at getting mine rewound. I'm no sure how much it would cost to have it rewound but it has to be cheaper than buying a new one. If anyone has any input I would greatly appreciate it. I don't want to dump anyone money in to this right know than I have too. It's a c-141 just in case that matters Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,309 #2 Posted March 30, 2012 I purchased a brand new one off eBay for $24.00 a few months ago. It was probably made in China, It works like it should, but I don't know if it will hold up like the 40 year old one it replaced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smoreau 658 #3 Posted March 30, 2012 At that point I would grab one of my spare starters. PM Kelly, I'm sure he has 2-3 dozen that you could chose from. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul D. 26 #4 Posted March 30, 2012 So I went out to the tractor to check for some #'s on my old starter. I found them for $54 on amazon with free shipping. While I was out there I tried to kick it over a few times and after about 5 clicks it started working again! I guess my question know is what does this mean? Do I take it apart clean it put it back together and forget about it, Do I change the brushes, or do I still need to pick up a new starter. :confusion-confused: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 40,743 #5 Posted March 30, 2012 I would check your cables too. A large voltage drop in them would cause the cranking amps to go up which could or did damage the starter. Then I would check the starter brushes. If you don't want to go through all that replace the cables and buy a starter. Cables can look fine but have enough strands broken inside to cause many problems. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smoreau 658 #6 Posted March 30, 2012 Or it has bad brushes, or warn armature. You can buy a brush kit and see if that helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,102 #7 Posted March 30, 2012 Not sure what starter your machine uses, but there's a bunch of used originals listed on ebay. :dunno: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul D. 26 #8 Posted March 30, 2012 It's the original starter on a K341. I've found them on Amazon for $54 but if its just a matter of brushes I will just change them. I will tear into it Sunday evening. Stay tuned. I will post my findings. Either way I need that tractor up and running next weekend. I've got gardens to till dang it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kelly 1,029 #9 Posted March 30, 2012 I bet you will find the smoke was from the cable connection at the starter, clean all the connections and put a dab of Dialectic grease on them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul D. 26 #10 Posted April 2, 2012 So pulled the starter off last night. When I pulled the cap off the end there were chunks of magnet stuck to it. When they broke loose they had sheared off some of the wires on the winding. This explains the smoke I saw coming from the starter. Ordered a new one off of amazon and it should be here in the next few days. $54 and free shipping. I'm sure it won't last as long as the original but it didn't cost me $175 either. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 649 #11 Posted April 2, 2012 I don't have much money, so I'm all for aftermarket. You could change that starter 3 times before it cost as much as a factory Kohler unit, but I really doubt you will have any problems with your new starter. I haven't had any problems with my aftermarket parts. Matt :flags-texas: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tap53 57 #12 Posted April 2, 2012 Ya know, this guy wanted to get into this nightclub, the bouncer said No, you need a tie on, the guy goes back to his car and looks around and all he could find is some jumper cables, so he tied them around his neck, and went back to the bouncer and said,"I couldn't find a tie, but will this do" The bouncer says, I guess it will, but when you get in I dont want you to start anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul D. 26 #13 Posted April 3, 2012 Thats BAD :text-banplz: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul D. 26 #14 Posted April 4, 2012 So the wife says I've got a package waiting at home (starter). Guess I will pick up my wheels from the tire shop(beet juice) and go home and gitter back up and running! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowtiebutler956 649 #15 Posted April 4, 2012 :woohoo: I love getting new parts in. Matt :flags-texas: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul D. 26 #16 Posted April 4, 2012 Tractor started so fast it startled me. I don't ever remember it starting so quick. I was like a kid on christmas morning. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raider10 3 #17 Posted April 5, 2012 :woohoo: You just cant beat buying some new bits for your horse. I was excited when my new battery arrived. Just fitted a new starter (second hand) starter to my 70 lawn ranger too. well chuffed. :banana-tux: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites