John Deere 400 wont run

Jeff.P

New User
Hi all, My JD400 garden tractor ran like nobody's biz last year, threw snow like crazy, mowed all summer. Now I put the blower back on and it barely blows the snow, bogs down with any load, and finally died. I pulled the coil and found the"guts" oozing out
of a crack. I bought a new harley coil, put new plugs, wires and
condenser on today. It wont start. I pulled a plug and checked for spark...... none......until I released the key then it sparked???
What the heck??? any help?
 
If memory serves, that tractor has the 20 hp Onan engine.

If it does, you either have your coil wired wrong (I would have put the correct coil on it) or else the trigger unit is not working correctly. I am assuming yours have electronic ignition, i know some Onans have points. The trigger is behind the flywheel.

Put a test light to the larger terminal coming from the trigger unit and it should blink as the engine spins over, assuming it is hooked up correctly, that other make coil is an additional variable.

Also, it you are checking for spark with both plug wires off the plugs, (this applies to the original coil-I don't know about 'harley coils') you may not see a spark. The secondary circuit is not grounded except through both plugs.

My experience with those engines is a low power situation is either fuel or in some cases valves or valve seats.
 
It has a Kohler K532QS with points. I think I heard something in the past about the spark when the key is released.]
 
Actually, they used the 20 HP Kohler K532 engine, AFAIK, all with breaker points, no EI.
 
Some auto parts stores sell them, NAPA, for example, probably lots of others if they know how to look them up.

Are you sure the points are shorted, or just not opening?

(The spark when the ignition switch is turned off is a giveaway that the points are either just close 'cuz of where the engine has stopped, are not opening at all, or there's a short in the primary circuit.)
 
Thanks everyone. I'll have to wait a couple days now, but at least I have somewhere to start I will let you know of the outcome.
Jeff
 

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