GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP

   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP #1  

FiredudeAT1

New member
Joined
Apr 4, 2024
Messages
24
Tractor
Farmall Super A
My problem, have to use choke to start, even when it's hot. It cranks very slow only when choke is on. Cranks normal with choke off, but it won't start without the choke, it doesn't need choke to stay running.i have changed plugs, fuel pump, coils, cleaned out carburetor, adjusted valves, battery a year old, brushes in starter looked ok. Also, it's cranks like a dead battery when choke is on.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP #2  
Kohler has changed that starter about 4 times. If it is cranking slow, it likely needs the new starter.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP #3  
Check the output of your fuel pump. Don't assume just because you replaced it any fuel is being pumped. Disconnect it from the carburetor and crank while the line is going into a can while watching the flow.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP #4  
It cranks very slow only when choke is on.
Hard to imagine that the choke would cause the starter to have issues.

Like someone else just above posted, I would suspect the starter. Especially if the slow crank issues happens when the engine is hot.

You didn't say what year tractor you have or how many hours on it. My guess is the the starter armature is rubbing on the stator when it's hot.

Take the starter apart and check for bearing wear.

Richard
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP
  • Thread Starter
#5  
Check the output of your fuel pump. Don't assume just because you replaced it any fuel is being pumped. Disconnect it from the carburetor and crank while the line is going into a can while watching the flow.
When I disconnected fuel line from carburetor it was flowing out. It is getting fuel.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP #6  
Have you checked the battery terminals and ground connection to the frame and motor? Agree sounds more electrical if starter is not turning engine over when hot.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP
  • Thread Starter
#7  
Hard to imagine that the choke would cause the starter to have issues.

Like someone else just above posted, I would suspect the starter. Especially if the slow crank issues happens when the engine is hot.

You didn't say what year tractor you have or how many hours on it. My guess is the the starter armature is rubbing on the stator when it's hot.

Take the starter apart and check for bearing wear.

Richard
Engine can be cold or hot, it cranks like a dead battery whenever the choke is used and I have to use choke every time I start mower.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Hard to imagine that the choke would cause the starter to have issues.

Like someone else just above posted, I would suspect the starter. Especially if the slow crank issues happens when the engine is hot.

You didn't say what year tractor you have or how many hours on it. My guess is the the starter armature is rubbing on the stator when it's hot.

Take the starter apart and check for bearing wear.

Richard
I did notice today after starting, the starter and positive lead to starter was very hot. Is this a sign of bad starter? Thanks
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Forgot, mower is about 14 years old and it's the original starter on it.
 
   / GTX 1054 Garden Tractor Kohler Twin Courage 27HP #10  
Battery cable getting hit is a sign of high amp draw so I would start checking connections on both positive and ground. Make sure there is a solid ground connection from the engine to the frame battery ground. Some engines are mounted on rubber vibration isolation mounts and if the ground wire or strap works loose or gets corroded the starter does not work.

Pulling choke cable may be moving something and changing the ground path or connection.
 

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