Engine Service Manual

Starter System
5932 690 03 Rev. I KohlerEngines.com
NOTE: Do not crank engine continuously for more than 10 seconds. Allow a 60 second cool-down period between
starting attempts. Failure to follow these guidelines can burn out starter motor.
NOTE: If engine develops suffi cient speed to disengage starter but does not keep running (a false start), engine
rotation must be allowed to come to a complete stop before attempting to restart engine. If starter is engaged
while fl ywheel is rotating, starter pinion and fl ywheel ring gear may clash and damage starter.
NOTE: If starter does not crank engine, shut off starter immediately. Do not make further attempts to start engine until
condition is corrected.
NOTE: Do not drop starter or strike starter frame. Doing so can damage starter.
Engines in this series use inertia drive or solenoid shift starters. Inertia drive electric starters are not serviceable
Troubleshooting-Starting Diffi culties
Condition Possible Cause Conclusion
Starter does not energize. Battery Check specifi c gravity of battery. If low, recharge or replace
battery as necessary.
Wiring Clean corroded connections and tighten loose connections.
Replace wires in poor condition and with frayed or broken
insulation.
Starter Switch
or Solenoid
By-pass switch or solenoid with a jumper wire. If starter cranks
normally, replace faulty components. Remove and perform
individual solenoid test procedure.
Starter energizes but turns
slowly.
Battery Check specifi c gravity of battery. If low, recharge or replace
battery as necessary.
Brushes Check for excessively dirty or worn brushes and commutator.
Clean using a coarse cloth (not emery cloth).
Replace brushes if excessively or unevenly worn.
Transmission
or Engine
Make sure clutch or transmission is disengaged or placed
in neutral. This is especially important on equipment with
hydrostatic drive. Transmission must be exactly in neutral to
prevent resistance which could keep engine from starting.
Check for seized engine components such as bearings,
connecting rod, and piston.
INERTIA DRIVE ELECTRIC STARTERS
When power is applied to starter, armature rotates. As armature rotates, drive pinion moves out on drive shaft splines
and into mesh with fl ywheel ring gear. When pinion reaches end of drive shaft, it rotates fl ywheel and cranks engine.
When engine starts, fl ywheel rotates faster than starter armature and drive pinion. This moves drive pinion out of
mesh with ring gear and into retracted position. When power is removed from starter, armature stops rotating and
drive pinion is held in retracted position by anti-drift spring.