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Kohler Courage 21 (SV610) wasn't recharging-ran, quit, wouldn't restart- RESOLVED

So it all comes down to three things: air, gas, and spark, right?
Air and fuel filters are clean. The choke works fine. The mower will start and run well, but it won't run for long.

For some time now. The mower (2011 Husq YTH21K46) has intermittently decided not to start without a charge. I replaced the battery for the new season and found it did little to resolve the problem. I've replaced the spark plug- same result. I've checked wiring connections, and found that they're all good except two things. The headlight wiring connection has melted at the clip (but still works) and there seems to be a loose connection that has no mate (maybe for an option my mower doesn't have?). The photo of that loose connection is attached.

I now suspect the charging mechanism and spark plug wire. The wire was badly crimped by the engine cowl and the magnets are super rusty. I know I can clean the magnets but the wire seems to be firmly affixed to the device. I'm going to a dealer in hopes of scoring a replacement.

My questions are these: What if I'm wrong? What if this isn't the culprit? What next? I possess an analogue volt meter but have no idea what I'm doing with it. Can somebody please walk me through the dumb thing so I don't have to figure out how to get my dead mower to the shop?

Battery tests fine. So does the charging mech/spark plug wire (there's continuity, anyway). What next? In the short term i'm cleaning and tightening wire connections. I feel like I'm spinning my wheels.

Well, it seems I was premature in posting as I was able to get the thing going again.
I took every connection under the bonnet apart and cleaned it out. I taped up a couple of places where wiring was exposed. I wire brushed and cleaned the magnets and charging mechanism. I put all back together again and it started like a champ.:thumbsup:
Mostly there was dirt and oil in/around the connections. There was corrosion one one of the solenoid terminals and on the post for the starter. Of all the minor crap that could have been interfering with my mower running and later starting, I think rusty contacts for the recharging mech and deposits on the solenoid are the most like suspects. Over all, it seems impossible that taking it apart and putting it back together again did the trick, but that seems to have been the answer.:confused2: WIZARDRY!!!!

Thank you for reading my lawn mower diary?

You can take your multimeter put it on VDC and check battery, red on positive black negative, with engine not running it should be around 12.5 volts, start engine check again and it should show 13 to 14.5 volts if charging.

You might have fixed your no start by cleaning and taping exposed wires, you did just what we would have suggested !

gainestruk said:

You can take your multimeter put it on VDC and check battery, red on positive black negative, with engine not running it should be around 12.5 volts, start engine check again and it should show 13 to 14.5 volts if charging.

You might have fixed your no start by cleaning and taping exposed wires, you did just what we would have suggested !

Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I used to know a few things about using this meter, but so rarely used it I feel like a dummy with it.
I still think wiring is held together with wizardry.
-Rob