2017 54" zero turn not cranking

[Lawnmauerman]

Good afternoon. I have a 2017 54"rzt zero turn with a little more than 100 hours on it. Towards the end of last season, I was having starting issues. When I would turn the key, I would hear the starter engage and stop. I could get it to free up by rocking the mower back and forth. Well I took the starter apart and the magnets inside were busted so I replaced the starter. Didn't solve the problem. The battery wasn't "bad" but wasn't new so I changed it and it didn't solve the problem. The key switch was suspect so I changed it, didn't solve the problem. Changed the solenoid and it also didn't solve the problem. I have popped a few fuses if that helps. Also when I hold the key to the "start" position , I hear a whining. Not mechanical but kind of like an electrical whine if that helps. I will offer any more insight if I remember. I've inspected the wiring for damage and found none so any suggestions would help. Thank You

 

[bertsmobile1]

Connect the starter directly to the battery with some jumper leads
If it cranks properly then you have a wiring problem .
Usually it will be the ground strap corroded through under the insulation ,.
Check by running a jumper from the battery - to a good grounding point near the starter then hit the key
Engine cranks properly = bad ground
Also remember the ground is via the engine so f the engine mounting bolts are loose the ground will be poor .

 

[Lawnmauerman]

Connect the starter directly to the battery with some jumper leads
If it cranks properly then you have a wiring problem .
Usually it will be the ground strap corroded through under the insulation ,.
Check by running a jumper from the battery - to a good grounding point near the starter then hit the key
Engine cranks properly = bad ground
Also remember the ground is via the engine so f the engine mounting bolts are loose the ground will be poor .

I ran a wire from a starter mounting bolt and ran it directly to the ground on the battery and same result. I also tried a new wire from the solenoid to the starter, same result. I took the starter off and rested it on the mower frame and tested the voltage at the hot post and had 11+. But when the starter is mounted, it only gets 1 volt maybe a little more. How many volts are supposed to go from the orange wire to the solenoid? I've got 5 and some change, I didn't know if this was normal. Thanks for the help. Might be a day or two before I can try again, heavy rains on top of us. It's also not a genuine Kohler starter, I don't know if others have had issues with aftermarket units.

 

[sgkent]

touch a heavy wire between the battery negative post, and the same spot on the starter where it rested on the frame. See if that changes the voltage you are measuring. I have seen in automotive where clear coats on starter parts interfere with grounding. Hence one spot grounds fine but another does not.

 

[Lawnmauerman]

Found my issue. The aftermarket starter I bought wasn't cutting it. I found a local place that sells em and I paid a premium but it solved my problem. I guess I should've listened when I read that genuine Kohler parts are the only way to go. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[bertsmobile1]

There is a reason why we keep on telling people not to buy from Ammozone or Evilpay
And now you know why
There are good aftermarket starters for kohlers but you will only find them at mower shops or dedicated mower parts suppliers
Sorry you had to find this out the hard way
Glad to hear that the duff starter did not take the alternator & solenoid with it

 

[sgkent]

ahhh. Yeah, I don't do any aftermarket stuff if the original can be found at any price. Last time was about 15 years ago. Bought a set of axles and CV's from NAPA for an Acura. Lasted 100' feet. Had a casting flaw and snapped after a couple hours of work putting them in. Took them back, then paid about double that for a factory rebuilt set which worked perfectly. Never again, that was my last rodeo with aftermarket parts.

My bad to assume when you replaced the starter etc., it was from the factory.