CC 2166 electrical problem - new to forum

[disneydadof5]

Hoping for some direction from the knowledgeable experts on this site.

I'm relatively inexperienced in repair work. Have an early 2000's CC 2166 42" Kohler 16 HP with starting issues. I inherited this a few years back. Not as lot of maintenance had been done on the tractor and I've done very little since. Issues probably started inconsistently two years back. The safety to the seat had been removed prior to becoming mine. Last season, we ran into issues with it starting hard, shutting down after a bit of mowing, etc. We narrowed it down to another safety feature issue as when engaging the brake as part of the start up process, it did not always engage properly. This issue became worse that by the end of the season, it could not be manipulated to start the engine. We replaced the battery to no avail and had the starter checked. When explaining my issues, it was recommended to by-pass the safety features and use a wire or screwdriver across the solenoid/started terminals. This accomplished the job, but continues to be a pain having to remove the right panel to do so and replace before mowing. By the end of the season the tractor would not continue to run after starting, acting as if it did not get enough fuel. Immediately after starting, the engine would die. We replaced fuel lines, fuel filter, ensured clean gas and had the carburetor cleaned and rebuilt. The problem persisted and a friend helped determine the fuel relay under the bowl was not engaging. It continued to be shut now allowing fuel to flow. He was able to locate and disengage this feature allowing the engine to start and continue running. After a handful of uses this season, more problems. Now when starting the engine dies after removing the "cheat" to the starter. As long as I leave the shielded copper wire across the positive post (coming from battery terminal) and negative clip going into a wiring clip, it will continue to run. As soon as I remove the wire, it dies. I know I need to have the other features corrected and I assume since I have checked fuses, it's a wiring issue I need to trace. I also just had the starter rechecked last night and it shows it is good still. From diagrams I've reviewed, there are a couple modules plugged into the wiring that could be the culprit or of course a critter could have chewed wiring somewhere?? Am I on the right path?Does anyone have other suggestions? I'm a novice with small engines and would like to get this running so I can return to working on our "new" 1952 Ford 8N tractor with my 16 y.o. son. Thanks for any input and advice. I hope to have explained clearly enough of what has occurred and been tried to identify the problem.

[J-Mech]

Since you have admitted you are a novice at repair work, and the electrical system on this machine has a lot of switches it's going to get involved. I suggest taking it to a shop.