Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Kohler Engine, volt light, rodney campbell

Question
I have a kohler commander pro 12.5 engine running a air commpressor.  When I turn the key on to start, it just makes a click and sometimes it don't even do that.


Thanks,

Rodney Campbell

Answer
Hi Rodney,

Most likely, you have a weak battery or bad connections.

I would check the starter first.  Jump the positive battery terminal to the starter and it should crank over. If so, skip to step 2.
If not, jump from a battery that you know is good, from a car.  If still nothing, the starter is bad.  If good, then the battery is weak and you will need to charge or replace it.  

Step 2.
If the starter and battery are good, you will need to trace the entire circuit from the starter to the battery.   The solenoid, switches the battery power to the starter, when power from the key switch is sent to the small terminal on the solenoid. To test the solenoid, first make sure that you have power at its large terminal which comes from the battery. Then jump power from that terminal or the battery positive post, to its small terminal. You should hear a click and the other large terminal that feeds the starter should be energized. If not, then the solenoid is bad. If good, then continue tracing the power through the key switch to the battery until you find the break in the power path.   All testing can be done with a 12 volt light or a voltmeter.  

Let me know how you make out.
Michael