Kohler KT17 - No spark
 

My 1711 with a Kohler KT17, had a bad oil leak when I bought it a few months ago. Took the engine out and replaced the gasket at the bottom of the cylinder. Since then it has been a little hard to start but I could always get it to fire over. Now its just dead. Checked the spark yesterday and it would spark weakly and intermittently.
Went out to work on it today and I am not getting any spark at all. I also noticed that the coil was too hot to touch and I had only been cranking on the engine maybe 10 seconds. Does this sound like the coil is just done or is there something else to try?

Check the points. You can OHM out the coil to test it. They do get hot, but shouldn't get that hot that fast.

Sounds like the points won't open for a variety of reasons.

Or shorted condenser/short circuit.

Points are opening and closing. When turning over the engine I see and occasional spark.

How would I go about checking for a bad condenser.

When a condenser fails, you usually get a lot of spark at the points. No more than they cost, if I suspect one is bad I just replace it. You can get them after-market. Prime Line part number 230722-S, $8 for the cheaper one. Or 5275513-S for the exact fit $23. O'Reilly's carries Prime Line.

Take a VOM or DVM. Set the function Switch to Rx1. Place the black lead on the engine block. Place the red lead on the negative Ignition Coil Terminal. Rotate the engine (flywheel). You should see continuity on the meter when the points are closed, and infinite (nothing) when the points are open.

Do you have that...???

Roland,you should hold classes on electrical.Sure wish I had just a smidgent of your understandings of electrical.:beerchug:

LOL....been doing it for 38+ yrs and usually on a daily basis, on equipment far more complicated than a Cub Cadet.:biggrin2:

Alright. I got a new condenser and it has made no change. I also did the continuity test at the points. I did just like you said. I have continuity when the points are closed and it goes to infinite when they are opened. Next thing to check I guess would be the coil. Idk what else it could be