[skidd041]

Hey all. My 400 some times fails to turn over when trying to start . It clicks then you hear the starter do a bit of a whine like it doesn`t have enough power to turn over then after a couple tries if fires right up with no problem. Is this the starter going bad or bad wire or silinoid just wondering where I should start or if this is a common issue with these machines..

 

[knottyrope]

could be poor electrical connection at battery and starter, weak battery etc

takes some testing to get to the bottom of it

 

[scotian]

I had the same issue with my starter, I ended up removing the starter and disassembling it to give it a thorough cleaning. Put a new set of brushes in it, and some starter lube on the bendix. No more issues. Not too hard of a job either, once it was removed from the engine.

 

[skidd041]

Thanks guys I started out tonight cleaning all connections ground wires from battery and main + wire will see first if that was the issue. It was a new battery in spring so hoping thats not the issue

 

[scotian]

Just reread the original post, sounds like brushes, should be able to find some around $20. While it's apart, wouldn't hurt to lube the bendix as preventative maintenance. Good luck, and let us know the results!

 

[skidd041]

Anyone no where to get brushes. There $80 from jd. New starter is $380. There is also either a reman starter or an after market starter they sell for $130 anyone used one of these are they any good.

 

[jdalchemist]

Steve,
Pats Small Engine shows a set of aftermarket brushes for $3.50 (plus shipping).
Harold

 

[jameszmcnelley]

Steve, There is a guy selling Kohler starter kits on e-bay for $17.25 delivered. Kit appears to come with brushes and springs, also some other items. JZM

 

[7579lincoln]

Steve: Assuming your 400 has an Onan engine in it, I would have you're existing starter rebuilt. I recently had both of my 318 starters rebuilt. One was $53 and the other was $83. I don't know why one was $30 cheaper than the other and didn't ask as they were rebuilt about a week apart. They replaced the solenoids, turned the armatures, installed new brushes and bushings and cleaned them up. Both starters work like brand new. The cheap aftermarket starters are made in China and from what I have heard are low quality. I broke open one of the old solenoids and the problem was the solenoid - the copper contact strap and copper bolts were arced and could not make good contact. That may be all that is wrong with yours. If you have 12 volts available at the solenoid and if you jump across the large copper bolts and the starter cranks, then your problem is the solenoid. Just be sure you get a quality replacement solenoid.

Harvey

 

[army]

I bought two new Kohler 532 starters off eBay back in 2007 for about $60 apiece. I installed one right away and put the other on the shelf. Not long after that I put the 2nd one on a 532 Kohler engine I bought that had a HD cast iron pan and a large diameter starter. The starter wouldn't fit inside the tractor frame. About 7 years now and both eBay starters still work fine.

Shoot.. I hope I didn't just hex myself

Army

 

[skidd041]

Thanks guys got a new starter from a kohler dealer last week. It came in a white box so figure its from china.$130 installed in less than 4 hours and that includes taking half the cab off, So it didn`t go that bad. Turns over way faster than it ever did and starts instantly. Going to rebuild original starter and keep it on the shelf

 

[scotian]

I purchased an OEM Kohler brush kit from a small engine parts dealer. Was less than $20 here in Canada.