QuestionQUESTION: The Ariens I have will start when it feels like it seems.
I just bought it and it has had some electrical problems as some of the switches in the dash were loose and nuts missing for the switches.
It would not start. First I added a little gas in the carb and it started right away and would not run.
I replaced the fuel pump...all was good...I took it for a ride, parked it in the garage..next day it would not start.
I added a start kit to the solenoid, relay and wiring from Ariens.
I also added a Diode assembly due to the one in there being weak and broke when I was wiggling the wires around.
So it would crank over well but would not start, so I hooked up the battery charger,
it started right up!!
I ran it a while shut it off, started it up several times...shut it off and IT WOULD NOT START!!
So I gave up and went in to the house.
What is wrong?
ANSWER: Hello Don:
Is the Starter Turning the Engine Properly when it Will Not Start? What is the Engine Doing when it Will Not Start? If the Engine Will Start when Jumped with a Battery Charger or Another Battery, then it Sounds like the Stator/Alternator or Regulator is Not Charging the Battery Properly, the Battery has a Weak/Bad Cell or if this is an OHV Engine; the Valve Clearance May Require Resetting. Send me the Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. 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
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Good Morning John,
Here is the Spec No for the Kohler engine; Spec No. 58532.
The battery is new. The starter is turning the engine over well but with the short spurts of trying to get it started it did turn over slower and slower.
That is when I used the battery charger at a high rate. The engine turned over quickly and started right away. Coincidence??
When I turned it off and restarted it without the battery charger hooked up it started well several times. I let it warm up and then tried one more time and turned over well again but it would not start!!
The Diode assembly I replaced has been replaced before as the original wire is cut and a new one spliced in. I disconnected the new Diode and it would not crank or turn over at all. Just a test for my mind.
Where does this wire go from the Diode? I believe it goes to the Alternator? It goes under the tractor and I can not see what it is attached to with the mower deck on.
Thanks,
Don
ANSWER: Hi Again Don:
You can Better Locate the Diode and it Purpose Using the Breakdown at the Kohler Site Addy I have Provided Below. Remove the Belts from the Crankshaft. Does the Engine Start Properly? If Yes, then Check the Crankshaft and Make Sure it is Not Bent. Turn the Engine While Watching the Crankshaft Center Bolt. If the Center Bolt Wobbles, then the Crankshaft is Bent and is Tightening the Belts During the Start Revolutions and Causing the Starter to Grad the Engine through the Tightened Belts. If No, then Check the Flywheel Key. If the Key is Damaged it will Cause the Problem you Described. The Battery Required for this Engine is a Minimum 225 CCA Battery. If the Starter is Good and Not Dragging Under a Load, then the Flywheel Key or the Valve Clearance are the Usual Suspects to Cause this Problem. You can View a Breakdown of the Mower at this Site Addy; http://www.jackssmallengines.net/parts.asp and Select Shop Online Parts Look Up. The Select the Model Tab. Then Select the OEM (Ariens) and Enter the Model Numbers. Then Double Click on the Model in the Results Area. You can View a Breakdown of the Engine at this Site Addy; http://www.kohlerplus.com/login.asp and Select Enter as Guest. Now Select the Thumbnail of the Catalog you Wish to View. 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
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: John, I do not think you are reading this well enough.
Engine turns over well at all times. Battery is new. Voltage is good.
Again starter turns the engine over well and quickly.
When it does start it runs well..........altho with a backfire once in a while just after starting or when trying to start.
When it starts it runs well!! Idles great.....Accelerates great.
It seems to be a coincidence that when I cannot start it, and it is turning over well with at least 12 volts on the gauge, I then hook up the battery charger and it starts right away.....instantly....
BUT,
I went through all that today.
Now it will not start at all!!!!!
Turns over well and has 12 volts...NO Spark!
This has sat for well over a year. I took the shroud off and cleaned up the coil contact and the flywheel.
Still it will not start. Will not start at all now!!!
AnswerHi Don:
OK. I Got you Now. Remove the Shut Off Wire from the Coil and Try to Start the Engine. What Happens? If the Engine Starts Correctly, then Check All the Safety Switches. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR CHECKING THE SAFETY SWITCHES IS JUST THAT!!! FOR CHECKING ONLY. I NEVER Suggest a Mower be Operated with a Safety Device or Switch Disconnected or Bypassed. Now. On Some Model Mowers you can Simply Unplug the Safety Switch from the Harness. On Other Models you have to Place a Jumper Wire Between the Harness Terminals (on the 4 Post Switch Jumper from Same Color Wire to Same Color Wire). Check the Clutch/Break and the Blade/PTO Safety Switches First. Check the Seat Safety Last. Usually the Seat Safety is Not in the System for Starting the Engine. Just to Ensure Someone is in the Seat when Engaging the Transaxle and/or Blades. You May have a Coil/Ign Module that is Going Bad. It is Rare for a Coil/Ign Module to Cause this Type of Problem, but it Does Happen. I Needed you to Make Sure of the Other Components to Eliminate them as Possible Causes. A Coil/Ign Module is Not Cheap and you Do Not want to be Purchasing a Part that is Not Required. 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
