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Quick Wiring Question


leeave96

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So I got the engine reinstalled in my 918H - aka: Sovereign and have a quick wiring question. The positive battery cable goes directly to the starter starter and the negative through a solenoid to ground via the frame or engine block? This is a Kohler Command engine. I think I've got it right. Anyone got a picture of the battery to engine wiring or can describe it? Also, there are a bundle of wires that include the headlights and there is a large thin ring terminal that is bolted/grounded to the engine block below the muffler? I have another tractor that has a Kohler Magnum engine and I believe (if I can remember it right) the battery negative goes directly to ground, the positive to a solenoid and then to the starter. This Command/Simplicity appears to have the solenoid breaking the ground - opposite the Magnum set-up. Any info/pics would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!!!! Bill
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That sounds wrong to me. If the positive goes right to the starter, and if the only way the starter is grounded is by it being mounted (in other words, on any starter I have seen, there is only one wire going to it, a positive heavy wire activated via a solenoid. No ground wire) then the starter would want to run constantly. I am not familiar with the Commands, but what you are stating sounds incorrect. I could be wrong, but positive from battery to solenoid, heavy cable from solenoid to starter is what I would expect.
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Ground goes from battery to engine. Positive goes to starter via the solenoid. They are all hooked up this way, or at least all that I have worked on.
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Hi, If your Sovereign has a TH engine, the cable would go to the starter solenoid. If it has a Command, the solenoid is on the starter and the pos cable goes to the top terminal on it. Al Eden
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Got everything electrically connected correctly for the Command engine - BUT.... When I turn the key, there is a click under the dash - sounds like a solenoid, but appears to be the amp meter. The starter solenoid doesn't engage. The starter solenoid is on the starter vs a separate location like other tractor engines. This Kohler Command is getting to be a pain in the arse...C I've got new batter connectors, good charge on the battery, great ground, but the starter won't engage. Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Bill
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Al & everyone, Thanks for the replies and help. I pulled a CH engine and put it back-in after changing the head gaskets. I think my problem is in the starter. I was thinking about this last night and remember that from time to time when I would previously start the engine, when I would hit the key, no crank would occur. This might be a continuation of this. The only difference is the loud click under the dash that sounds like a solenoid sound. I think I'm going to pull the starter and work with it on a bench. BTW - the starter will be much lighter to carry around than the whole engine this trip to the basement... :D Thanks!!!!!! Bill
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Before you pull off starter , make sure that the blue wire to starter solenoid is firmly attached. It gets its signal from the relay mounted under the steering wheel. If not connected, that is all you get is a 'clicking'. It wouldn't hurt to check to see that your battery is fully charged. A drop in system voltage also could be a problem.
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