Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda Harmony mower, jumper cables, steering wheel puller

Question
I have a Honda Harmony H1011S 11hp riding lawn mower that runs fine as long as it is hooked to jumper cables and a good battery. Once I dissconnect the cables it wants to shut down. I know a lot about cars and I am sure it's a charging problem but I am not sure how the system works on this mower. Any advise you could give?

Answer
Hello Roger:

Usually this is Because of a Bad Battery, Stator/Charging Coil or Voltage Regulator. I Looked at Several Breakdowns for the H1011 Model Honda Mowers and they Show No Voltage Regulator. Usually if the Engine Does Not have a Carburetor Solenoid, the Engine will Continue to Run even with a Bad Stator/Charging Coil. Check the Battery Voltage with the Engine Running at Full Throttle. The Voltage at the Battery Terminals should be 12.4 VDC or Higher if the Stator/Charging Coil is Good. From your Description it Sounds like the Stator/Charging Coil is Bad and Requires Replacing. The Following is the Instruction File I Made for Removing the Flywheel from Most Mower Engines. It is the Basics and if you have a Question, Please Ask. Any Input to Make this File Better is Appreciated. ***Disconnect the Coil Wire from the Spark Plug. Remove the Blower Housing (metal engine cover). Remove the Flywheel Nut or Starter Cup (Depends on the Model). Now Attach a Steering Wheel Puller to the Flywheel Using the Threaded Holes in the Flywheel. Tighten the Puller. Now Hit the Puller with a Hammer. Repeat this Procedure Until the Flywheel Pops Up or can be Lifted Off the Crankshaft. On Some Models you Can Not Use a Puller and Must Use a Pry Bar and a Pipe Cap that is Slightly Larger than the Crankshaft. Place the Pipe Cap Over the Crankshaft to Protect it. Place the Pry Bar Under the Thick Section of the Flywheel and Pull Up Against the Flywheel. **BE CAREFUL  DO NOT PUT A HOLE IN THE BLOCK UNDER THE FLYWHEEL** Now Hit the Pipe Cap that is on the Crankshaft (covered with the Pipe Cap). Repeat the Procedure Until the Flywheel can be Lifted Off the Crankshaft. *** Now Replace the Key Between the Flywheel and Crankshaft and Reverse the Procedure. Be Sure you have the Flywheel Torqued to the Proper Torque and Set the Coil Gap to .020in.. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower/Engine at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram... and Select the Catalog American Honda. Select the Riding Mower File. Now Scroll to your Model and Select it. The Stator/Charging Coil is in the Ign Coil and Flywheel File. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John