Craftsman 42" Starter Issue

[jmattnc80]

Hey guys,

New here....I am sure this has been covered 1 Million times on here.

I have a 42" Craftsman mower with a 14 HP Kohler engine.

When I go to start the mower, the starter just spins, but the starter gear doesn't move up to engage on the flywheel. I am very mechanically inclined but figured I would ask the experts here.

To answer a few questions that I have seen asked on the net:

Yes, the battery is connected correctly.
Yes, the teeth are fine on both the flywheel and starter gear.

When I went to start it for my last mow last fall, this problem happened. I jumped the starter gear up with a screwdriver. I know, it tore my nerves up trying that but I knew I only had to mow one more time and figured I could fix it over the winter. Warm weather is coming soon and I want to get it fixed.

I have looked online and see a full starter can be purchased, but I figured there has to be a part in there that has failed.

Can anyone help save me money???!!!!!

 

[Rivets]

Please post the engine model and spec numbers, so we know which starter you are talking about. I'm suspecting that you may just need a new bendix, but can't say for sure until I see the starter.

 

[jmattnc80]

Please post the engine model and spec numbers, so we know which starter you are talking about. I'm suspecting that you may just need a new bendix, but can't say for sure until I see the starter.

Model CV14S
Spec No 1452
Serial 2313015844


If it's just a bendix please let me know where I can order just that!!! I have looked at some of the online parts places and don't see just that part!!! Thanks!!!

 

[Rivets]

Here is a service manual for your engine which should help, section 8.

http://www.mymowerparts.com/pdf/Koh...13-CV14-CV15-CV16-CV460-CV465-CV490-CV495.pdf

Part number for the bendix is 12 755 53-S

This website will show you the parts breakdown for your engine, just look for your numbers.

Kohler Engine Parts Lookup

Should be able to order parts for your local repair shop.

 

[jmattnc80]

Thanks for the help on the starter issue........

maybe you guys can answer my next question........Towards the end of the year, my mower would intermittently not start. I know the battery is fine. I have tested it. I have narrowed it down to something in the electrical system other than the starter, key switch and battery. I think it is what I would call the starter solenoid. I used to work on jeeps alot and I did some "trail" troubleshooting on the mower that we use to run through if we were stuck on the trail.

I turned the key switch to run, bypassed the solenoid(Whatever it is called on a mower) with a jumper cable and touched the starter. The mower would start and run fine even after I took the jumper cable off of the starter.

Is the so called "solenoid" I am speaking of the ignition module or is it an actual solenoid?

Anyone have the part number for it?

 

[Fish]

Naw, the starter circuit is totally separate from the ignition circuit..

Bypassing the "starter" circuit, just eliminates the starter as the problem...... You need to put up model numbers, and a more coherent detail of the problems....

 

[jmattnc80]

Engine Info:

Model CV14S
Spec No 1452
Serial 2313015844


Mower Info:

917.255460

I guess by more coherent detail of the problem you mean what exactly was the mower doing/not doing.

When I would go to start it as you normally should, it would not start. Parking brake is engaged. Battery is fine. Turn the key to start and nothing. From my observations, it is not the safety switch where the brake has to be engaged for it to start. I have tested the key switch so I know that is not it. After I tested most of these I gave up and would just manually jump the starter to get the mower to start.

Any help would be appreciated. As stated above I am pretty mechanically inclined, I just lack knowledge on the electrical side of things on a mower!!!!

 

[Fish]

http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/00064366-00001.png

Unfortunately, I don't see a wiring schematic..... But it is isolated to the cranking circuit, I would think....

 

[Rivets]

In the manual I posted is a troubleshooting procedure for the starting system.