[vettemanss]

I'm working on a 316 and can't get spark to the plug. Coil, condenser and points are ok. Using a test light I have power to pos. coil terminal and at the points. Test light won't light at the neg. terminal unless I unhook the wire to the points. Also when I turn ignition switch on the ammeter shows a draw when the wire to points is hooked up. Motor has back-fired a couple of times just moving wires on neg. coil terminal. It would make be think there is a dead short some where in points or the wire to them.Anyone have any ideas?

 

[vettemanss]

I forgot to mention that it's a Kohler, not an Onan.

 

[vinnie110]

Sounds like you have a short in the points or the wire to the points or a shorted condenser. If all is well your test light should go on when the points are open and the light is connected to the - coil terminal, with same connection light will go off when points are closed. Turn engine by hand and watch points. If you can find a meter check the voltages should be 12.5 or so.

 

[vettemanss]

I ran a new lead to the points and installed a new set of points. Tractor started and ran fine with the points cover off. Put cover back on and it wouldn't start. Took cover off, started and ran. Put cover back on and while it was running on, ran fine. Turned off and now have juice to both sides of the coil but won't start again. How critical is it that there be 12.5 volts? My volt meter is broken.

 

[vinnie110]

Sounds like the problem is right at the points cover. Something is shorting out and/or holding the points open/closed when you put the cover on. Take a good look at the wire you put in and its connections.
A good battery at rest will measure 12.5 volts or so and should not drop below 10.5 volts when cranking. A weak battery will not produce a good spark. It is hard to judge battery voltage from a test light brightness.

 

[vettemanss]

Thanks Vinnie, I got it figured out ( I hope) Think it was a combination of short at cover and low voltage. Steve

 

[vinnie110]

Glad you found it. By the way the battery voltage should measure 13.5 to 14.0 volts with the engine running at fast idle, this indicates the charging system is working.
The Kohler engine manual is available free from Kohler's website, look under Classic Engines.