Voltage Regulator on K181S - WH 855

[TurnerFarmsKS 0]

Hello!  I'm working to piece together a new wiring harness for my Wheel Horse 855...the old one was an absolute shambles so I started from scratch...the harness looks great and matches exactly to the wiring diagram.  The coil, condesner, spark plug, and points are all in good shape.

 

When I turn the key the starter turns over vigorously in the "on" and "start" positions, but the engines has no fire, whatsoever.

 

Here's the even STRANGER part... With the key in the "off" position, tapping the top of the voltage regulator gently causes the starter to turn the engine over...but again, no spark to the coil.

 

I really don't know a lot about the inner adjustments of voltage regulator...is there something simple I can adjust that might be causing this? Do I need a voltage regulator?

 

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide!

 

~Shawn

TurnerFarmsKS

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,031]

Here is a Kohler manual with a section on the starter/generator and regulator

 

Try cleaning the points with a point file or nail file. May be a bit of oxidation on the contact surfaces.

 

Garry

[TurnerFarmsKS 0]

That's a much better manual than any of the others I've been able to find...thank you!!

[TurnerFarmsKS 0]

Okay...reworked the wiring harness to include a solenoid, cleaned the breaker points and checked air gap in the voltage regulator...all seems okay. I have 12V to the positive side of the coil. The coil and condenser are new, the points are the same as new, clean, and gapped to .020, and everything is grounded. But still no fire...thoughts??

[Martin 2,131]

ignition in on position, ignition points closed, (or turn over engine by hand to get them closed), use a long screwdriver and open the gap at the points by pushing or prying on the frame of the points assembly, should get a nice blue spark to jump the point gap, if you dont points arent clean enough.

if all other ignition parts are in working order, once you have spark here it should fire.

 

what did you do to fix the regulator? if a slight bump closes the air gap and sends power to the starter you have problems there. its been a while since ive been inside a regulator for one of these, but from what i remember the air gap shouldnt be that easy to close and make contact. using the manual that garry supplied above you should be able to decipher whats going on there. i dont think adding a solenoid ( which in itself is a great idea- to get electrical load off the ignition switch) is going to fix the starter contact point sensitivity.........

[gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,031]

Remove the spark plug so you can turn the engine over by hand using the flywheel.

Stick your test light or voltmeter on the coil (-) terminal.

With the key in the run position see if you have power at the coil (-) terminal.

Turn the engine over by hand. When the points are open the light should be on or 12 volts. When the points close the light should go out or 0 volts. This alternates on and off with the points open and closed as you rotate the crankshaft. If it does not go to no light or 0 volts the points are not making contact electrically for some reason. They have to ground the circuit for the coil to work each time they close. 

 

Let us know what you find.

 

Garry

[TurnerFarmsKS 0]

I used the manual Garry linked me to to take both sides of the regulator apart, clean the points, and re-gap them...it's in much better shape now!!  I think testing the points, which Martin & Garry both suggested is going to be be my best next step...I'll give it a shot and report back!!

 

Thanks!!

[Save Old Iron 1,566]