725 Grasshopper with WG752-EU2 Kubota gas engine. It is a 2014 year model that I bought new in 2016. Ran fine till 5/15/2015 (9 years) when the ignition coil failed. I paid $112 for a new KU1120 coil from a Grasshopper dealer. It lasted 2 months. I bought another new one, this time on the internet for $29. It just failed today after 10 months. Now what do I do?? Anyone else having this problem??
Engine IGNITION COIL
- Thread starter reevesjo
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Correction: It is a 2004 year model bought new in 2006. My fingers didn't obey my feeble brain. The Grasshopper tech called me and said I should have returned the replacement coil that only lasted 2 months as a warranty problem. Too late for that. I will start over in the morning and cough up another $112 and see what happens.
After a long talk with the mechanic at the Grasshopper Dealer, he suggested a "bad ground". He said the more recent powder coating on the coil cases, instead of the older lead based paint, prevented a good ground. He said this contributes to more internal heat and causes the lacquer coated secondary wires to short out. I did have an "open" secondary circuit. I bit the dust and bought another $112 coil, scraped the paint between the coil case and mounting clamp and the engine started on the first revolution. I mowed for three hours with no problem. I had also talked to a rep at the Grasshopper Factory. He said one alternative would be to replace the ignitor $300+ or perhaps the whole distributor $400+. He said the coil is a non-resistor model. I think a stronger & cheaper coil should be available from NAPA or some other supplier. I love my Grasshopper 725, but hate their Denso ignition coils.
Hello, I see that you posted this 2016, are you still having coil problems? Have you inspected the distributor or replaced? I am currently having the same issues (04 GH w/Kubota gas WG752E2) put a new oil filled chrome coil in and the mower ran great about 2 months than died again today, no spark at coil. Will order a new coil today and see if the grounding helps.
Hi Renchy,
I didn't think the coil depended on external grounding, BUT, I didn't want to continue buying expensive coils, so I did as he instructed by scraping off the powder coating at the clamp area. So, he must have been right, because the new coil is working fine. I love this Grasshopper. It is now 14 years old and no belts have been replaced; just new mulching blades.
Joe
I didn't think the coil depended on external grounding, BUT, I didn't want to continue buying expensive coils, so I did as he instructed by scraping off the powder coating at the clamp area. So, he must have been right, because the new coil is working fine. I love this Grasshopper. It is now 14 years old and no belts have been replaced; just new mulching blades.
Joe
Mower King
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Oh yes...coils must be grounded to work...as are some voltage regulators also!
Ok, thanks guys for responding to my question, I'll make sure I ground the new one. Now the coil I installed was an oil filled automotive coil chromed ( thought chroming was a ground ) where the original coil was OEM, but upon bench testing both coils the ohms matched spec what's up? Is there an ignition module in the distributor cap w/rotor? Bought this old girl used w/735hrs.in 2019, been having this problem on & off since so its a long time tracking this down. But just like you I love this mower for being able to mow 2 + acres figure I'll just keep her so here I am working @ not spending more but by asking how & why, Thanks.