Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): kohler engine armature-magneto, spec numbers, kohlers

Question
I have a 15.5 horsepower Kohler command engine and it keeps frying the magneto-armature. I put a new one on it runs about 4 minutes and then there is no spark again. I have let it cool down and retried it again but there is no spark there. We have had our Kohler tech in on this problem and all he says is to buy a new engine even Kohler can not figure this out. Any ideas. Thanks Bill

Answer
I am sure the guys at Kohler would be thrilled to hear that they
cannot figure it out.  It is very possible that if you put on a new engine, it would have the same problem.

  If these modules are indeed fried, then you have to figure out what is frying them, and this is usually by voltage sent to them through the "kill" wire, which can happen when wiring is crossed
by damage, or someone put on a wrong keyswith, or otherwise been
toying with the wiring.

   But to add more variables in the mix, some Kohlers came out with "SmartSpark" or a S.A.M. module, and they have a long list of problems of their own.  So to be sure, post your engine's model and spec numbers, and you check for voltage at the small wire going
into the coil.

   Thanks