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Wed, Jun 2, 10 at 14:12
| Newbie, to the forum and first riding mower. It is a Sears Craftsman- 15 HP Kohler, CV15S-41526, 917.256544. I bought this tractor used to mow the Church’s 3 acres. I will try to describe this in a short version, but will probably be long winded (my wife says I add too much). Previous owner said that the carb was the problem. He connected the battery and sprayed starting fluid through the air intake, gave it squirts to keep it going. Ran fine that way. All this while no one sat in the seat, so I thought maybe the safety switches were not functioning. Got it home removed the carb and soaked it. Pulled it apart and blew it out. Put it back on and then replaced the fuel lines and filter, put a new battery in the holder, and reconnected the solenoid wire (previous owner cut it in preparation of rebuilding the carb. Mower started right up ran good up to just beyond the midpoint. Put it in gear and it died as I released the brake. Started again then tried to engage the blades, this also killed it. I started the mower then disconnected the plug on the brake, mower moved, disconnected the plug for the blades and they worked. I started checking the wiring, switches. Found the headlights not connected and the seat switch wires stripped and crossed. Connected the lights, and fixed the seat switch wires. Mowed the yard to make sure everything was working fine. Ran good and cut the grass, although the blades will need sharpened prior to going to the church to mow. Lights worked as well. Parked the mower and began cleaning it, no water used. Wiped it down and left it for a few hours. I went to start it and there was nothing. The carb switch would click when the key was turned but nothing else happened. Checked all wires and found no breaks or grounds, I then found the plug for the mower deck switch unpluged. I connected it but still nothing. I could not find anything wrong anywhere with any of the wires. On a whim I pulled the 30 amp fuse, blown. Put a new one in and it blew when I turned the key, but before getting to the start position and kicking the starter over. After blowing 5 fuses I connected a jumper wire across the fuse holder to see what wire would get hot. It was the wire going to the carb solenoid. I disconnected the front harness; mower started and ran until the gas was gone from the bowl. Reconnected the plug and the carb wire got hot again. I also noticed that the amp gauge was jumping all the way to discharge. Disconnected the amp gauge and nothing worked. Put a jumper between the ends and the mower turned over. Connected the carb wire only and it got hot. Plugged the amp gauge wires back then connected the carb wire. Mower started right up without any problems, odd. Put a 30 amp fuse in and turned the key, carb wire got hot and the fuse blew, without the starter cranking over. Connected the front harness, disconnected the carb wire and everything was fine, mower runs as long as I spray gas into the air intake. Removed the solenoid and grounded it to the frame with the key on and it sparked, did not pop down, and the wire began to get hot. So would the solenoid or wire be grounding out?, on the carb itself? I have read several posts related to my mower and engine combo but am at a loss for what could have happened while it sat on the drive. Would the fuel solenoid just be bad and need replaced? Is there a way to bypass the solenoid and still get the proper amount of fuel, while putting an inline fule cutoff switch? Sorry for being long winded but I wanted to make sure I got everything covered. Thanks for the help. |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| You seem to be observant and should be able to get this figured out. Assuming that the carb solenoid had been enabled and the tractor ran- I'd leave it unhooked. The plunger can be nipped off and it will run fine or you can pay real money to Kohler for a new one. AN inline valve is a good idea for this carb. BTW the solenoid doesn't prevent flooding, it merely blocks the tube in the carb as an anti- backfire measure. Most of these had a rubber cap that made the seal actually. This rider will start and run w/o the operator on the seat provided that A) the park brake is set and B) the deck is disengaged. Headlight wires seem to be an item that pops the fuse often enough too. Post the 917# from below the seat if you need further assistance. Good luck. |
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| And the 917 # appeared magically. Sorry about that. |
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