No spark at plug

[RevB]

Bert, You should look at the schematics and understand it before taking a wild guess at the system operation.

Also rust doesn't affect magnetism; though, it affects electrical conductivity and clearances.

I have a magnetic flow sensor impeller that failed because of exfoliation of the core through rust.....so, that part about rust not affecting, depends.

 

[VegetiveSteam]

With the results you now have, it's probably not a relay. Normally only one went bad so if you wanted to try it, you could just get one and try it in each position.

Like I mentioned, it wasn't unheard of for a Spark Advance Module or ignition module fail but it was pretty rare on a CV16. I've gotten a lot of phone calls over the years from guys who had changed the Spark Advance module and the ignition module on a Craftsman and still had no spark only to find out it was a bad relay.

If either the ignition or Spark Advance module has failed, your only option it to replace it with the 12 707 01-S kit ILENGINE mentioned.

You can try a local Kohler dealer for the part or order it online direct from Kohler. Often times the part is actually cheaper direct from Kohler.

 

[stonum]

I may end up trying to convert to the DSAI ignition, but I'm going to look at Sears Parts and see if they still have the DSAM unit available. But I can't read one of the numbers on the old DSAM. It looks like 9921REVA

 

[VegetiveSteam]

What was the part number you used to replace the ignition module or coil?

Also, the number you would be looking for on the Spark Advance module will begin, 12 584 XX. It is NLA but you might find new old stock somewhere.

I didn't see ILENGINE's post about Amazon. That looks to be the best place to buy if you need the kit.

 

[stonum]

If either the ignition or Spark Advance module has failed, your only option it to replace it with the 12 707 01-S kit ILENGINE mentioned.

Now things are getting more complicated. The mower is a 16.5 HP.... The plate on my engine says CV16S-43527. Sears Parts doesn't even acknowledge such a model. They do acknowledge CV16.5S-43527. So what do I have, a CV16S-43527 or a CV16.5S-43527? The DSAI kit is available for the CV16.5S-43527.

 

[VegetiveSteam]

You have a CV16-43527. There is no such thing as a CV16.5. That's a Craftsman marketing thing. Not a Kohler thing. If you're using Sears parts look-up, use their listing of the CV16.5 43527. It's the same thing. Sears actually got Kohler drug into a lawsuit because Sears decided to overstate the horsepower. Although on yours, they don't technically say 16.5 horsepower. It just says 16.5 OHV. They could claim that to mean anything they want it to.

 

[stonum]

You have a CV16-43527. There is no such thing as a CV16.5. That's a Craftsman marketing thing. Not a Kohler thing. If you're using Sears parts look-up, use their listing of the CV16.5 43527. It's the same thing. Sears actually got Kohler drug into a lawsuit because Sears decided to overstate the horsepower. Although on yours, they don't technically say 16.5 horsepower. It just says 16.5 OHV. They could claim that to mean anything they want it to.

Interesting... appreciate that info.

 

[VegetiveSteam]

Interesting... appreciate that info.

This is probably more info than you care to know but, all the small engine manufacturers got involved in the horsepower lawsuit one way or another. For some it was their own doing because they misrepresented the horsepower on their engines.

Kohler pretty much told them to stick it and said feel free to check the horsepower on any of our engines. They will all come in above the horsepower they are advertised to be. We never misrepresented horsepower. Then the lawyers said, "What about Sears?" Kohler argued that was all Sears' doing and they had no part in that. The Kohler lawyers and bean counters figured out it would cost way more to fight it than to just suck it up and take the option of offering an additional year of warranty on the engines that the suit claimed to be affected.

I lived it and that extra year of warranty was a PITA to document and verify. The upside was, the extended warranty only applied to the original owner, and they had to provide a proof of purchase.

 

[stonum]

And this gives a better idea of how the DSAI coils are wired.
View attachment 68470

More confusion. I look on amazon at the Stens 055-776 DSAI Kit, which it does say "Replaces OEM Numbers: Kohler: 12 707 01-S", but it shows compatibility with no mention of my CV16S-43527... It shows compatibility as this....
Compatible With/Replacement For: Kohler CH16-45509; CH16S-45509; CV16-43510, CV16-43511, CV16-43512, CV16-43513, CV16-43514, CV16-43515, CV16-43516, CV16-43517, CV16-43518, CV16-43520, CV16-43521, CV16-43522, CV16-43523, CV16-43525, CV16-43526, CV16-43528, CV16-43530, CV16-43531; CV16S-43509, CV16S-43510, CV16S-43511, CV16S-43512, CV16S-43513, CV16S-43514, CV16S-43515, CV16S-43516, CV16S-43517, CV16S-43518, CV16S-43519, CV16S-43520, CV16S-43521, CV16S-43522, CV16S-43524, CV16S-43525

 

[VegetiveSteam]

More confusion. I look on amazon at the Stens 055-776 DSAI Kit, which it does say "Replaces OEM Numbers: Kohler: 12 707 01-S", but it shows compatibility with no mention of my CV16S-43527... It shows compatibility as this....
Compatible With/Replacement For: Kohler CH16-45509; CH16S-45509; CV16-43510, CV16-43511, CV16-43512, CV16-43513, CV16-43514, CV16-43515, CV16-43516, CV16-43517, CV16-43518, CV16-43520, CV16-43521, CV16-43522, CV16-43523, CV16-43525, CV16-43526, CV16-43528, CV16-43530, CV16-43531; CV16S-43509, CV16S-43510, CV16S-43511, CV16S-43512, CV16S-43513, CV16S-43514, CV16S-43515, CV16S-43516, CV16S-43517, CV16S-43518, CV16S-43519, CV16S-43520, CV16S-43521, CV16S-43522, CV16S-43524, CV16S-43525

It if replaces the Kohler 12 707 01-S then it's what you need. Maybe there is more than one listing for that Stens part number but the one I found was way too expensive. The Amazon link ILENGINE provided had that actual Kohler part for $163.92. The Stens one I found was over $270.00. You can buy it right off the Kohler website for around $189.00