Extending The Life of Your Starter

Bill Clough · Mar 26, 2001

Has Anyone noticed how much your starter cranks before your engine fires??
I'm running a 18hp Kohler on My hot water unit,and sometimes it cranks so long, that I have to release the pressure on the gun, to get it to crank enough to start.I have found that if I unplug the low oil shutdown switch, that the engine hardley cranks twice before it is running.
As long as you keep your equipment serviced properly, and check your oil daily this won't cause any problems.
But if it bothers you to keep the wire unpluged all the time, you can install a normally closed push button switch on the wire going to the oil sensor,and mount it near your key switch.
You will have to keep the button pushed in while you crank the engine, once the engine starts release the button.This is a lot cheaper than replaceing the starter.Any questions fell free to call

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

Jon · Mar 28, 2001

Hey Bill I have the same engine and at times it seems like I won't have any battery left to start it with.

Crank crank crank, stop for a minute then crank again.

You could be onto something and I will try it with the low oil shutdown unplugged.

If it works I will indeed wire it up as you say.

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

Bill Clough · Mar 28, 2001

Hey Jon,
If you have the newer Kohler, the kwick fix is to locate the green and yellow wires that are pluged together infront of the starter and unplug them.

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

Walt Graner · Mar 29, 2001

Why does the oil shut off affect the starting?

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti

Bill Clough · Mar 29, 2001

Hey Walt,
The low oil pressure switch grounds the coils out, untill the engine builds enough pressure to open the circut.
Most equipment,vehicles,motorcycles ect. have the same type circut, but instead of shorting out the ignition, they use an oil light that stayes on till oil preasure opens the switch.
Just think if your Harley used the circut that shorts the ignition, you would be spending less time riding,and more time starting because it would have to crank up pressure to fire.
Did I make any sence??

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

Richard · Mar 29, 2001

Apparently you've never had to kick over a panhead
Richard

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Bill Clough · Mar 30, 2001

Hey Jon,
I made a mistake the color of the wires are green and white, not green and yellow.
sorry for the confusion.

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

Walt Graner · Mar 30, 2001

Yea I got ya.

Also Yes, pan heads do have a trick to kicking them over, and over and over.

I'm lazy my Heritage is electric start

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti
3006 Bee Caves Rd, Suite B-160
Austin,TX 78746
Ph

512) 328-7776
fax(512) 328-2399

Hotwaterwizard · Mar 30, 2001

The reason it has so much trouble starting is as follows:
1) The pump builds pressure as you try to start the engine.
2) The engine is under a load when you are starting it because the pump is building pressure.
3) The unloader is set for maximum PSI and will not release untill it reaches that set pressure causing the pump to build pressure and the motor to be under a load from the start.
4) The starter is taking all of the load as you try to start the engine because of #1,2, and 3.
5) The oil pressure is not high enough because the starter cannot handle the load as described above and it turns slow causing the oil pressure to be too low for the sensor to pick it up.
6)The starter acts like the little train Engine trying to get up that steep hill. I think I can I think I can. Sometimes it makes it and sometimes it doesn't!

The answer to your problem is to hold the gun open without a tip on the end as you start the Engine. Or install a T at the output with a ball valve on one side and the hose on the other. When you start the Engine open the valve until it starts and close it to get pressure. Or Install an EZ-Start Valve on the pump.

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Hotwaterwizard@aol.com If You have a problem with your machine, just ask I'll help if I can.

[This message has been edited by Hot Water Wizard (edited March 29, 2001).]

Tim · Apr 1, 2001

Would having a flow unloader relieve the starting and pressure build up since it's not provided until after the trigger is pulled? Had EZ start system on my Tuff Skid but upgraded to flow unloaderfrom factory and just plugged it when I received it. At least that's what the factory rep advised when I questioned him about it.

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Tim Srader
X-Stream Kleen

Jon · Apr 1, 2001

I must say Bill hit the nail on the head, disconnected the wires and hit the key, no choking the engine when cold yet it started so fast I was in shock.

Connected wires back and tried it, crank, crank, crank.

Undid wires and started right away again.

Now to add that little closed push button and relax knowing the system is working properly.

Thanks Bill for this information and thanks John for your explaining how it all works.

Hey Walt, did you get kicked off a Harley once so figured it was safer to just push that button to start it?

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

Scott Stone · Apr 1, 2001

For the record, it is called a murphy switch. They have them on some big trucks.

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Dan Flynn · Apr 1, 2001

Mine never cranks more than once or twice. It fires right up. Also you are suppose to release and hold the trigger while starting and stopping the engine. I hardly do that though.

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Dan Flynn
Timberland Power Wash
www.powerwash.net
Houston, Texas.

Jon · Apr 1, 2001

Scott, thanxs for the name of the switch.

Dan and Wizard, I have never held open the trigger when starting or stopping so what is suppose to happen or get damaged because I don't keep it open?

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Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

Walt Graner · Apr 4, 2001

Hey Bill, what do you know what color wires are for the Vanguard 18hp?

Should be the same type stuff right?

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti
3006 Bee Caves Rd, Suite B-160
Austin,TX 78746
Ph

512) 328-7776
fax(512) 328-2399

Bill Clough · Apr 4, 2001

Hey Walt,
On the Vanguard, the pressure switch is located at the oil filter.There is a wire that runs from that switch to a wire terminal located about 4" above the starter.This terminal has 2 black wires hooked to it.
On my 16hp I just removed the wire that ran from the switch to the terminal .

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Bill (CPS CLEANING and RESTORATION)
(740)819-2566

Walt Graner · Apr 5, 2001

Bill

Thanks alot, I'll play with it in the morning.

Good tip!

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti
3006 Bee Caves Rd, Suite B-160
Austin,TX 78746
Ph

512) 328-7776
fax(512) 328-2399

Larry L. · Apr 5, 2001

I always start mine and let it idle for a sec or 10 to let the oil get to all its points before throwing the coal to it.

Not only will it start faster but hey you can start it now with the pull rope.

I changed mine over about 7 years ago when I couldn't get dat sucker started with the pull rope.

The day I did this the truck dat I just got though washing started smoking under the hood.I had acid and soap on another.I shut it down and checked the other truck which was on fire,the starter had shorted out on it.I run back to the rig it fired right up and I put the fire out.The other truck dat I had chemicals on was dring fast and I knew I had bettered get it off.Will the starter went out,so I pulled on the crank rope and PULLED,PULLED,PULLED

,PULLED and dang PULLED PULLED

PULLED,I wasn't man enuff to get it started dat way.NOW what

I had to get the chemicals off,lucky

I had a flo-jet to rinse the chemicals off.

I leave the gun off and start it let run until warmed up good then I put it to work,you'll get less wear on the engine if you'll let it idle for sec or 2 with the wires undone.

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When answering Post If It Sounds As tho I'm Holding A Match To Ya "Fear Not" Its Only Lit On One End.I'm No Doctor The Pill I Subscride Is For Me Only.They May Make You Jump Up and Down Or Crawl All Over The Ground.Will Try To Help Sail Your Ship Even Tho Rocket Fuel Is The Tip.

When In Doubt,,,Think It Out.....triplel@bscn.com

Doug Rucker · Nov 13, 2012

Great info in this thread. Any more insight Mark???

FullBlast · Nov 14, 2012

MAN!! Rucker you were digging deap for this thread!!!!

Good thread tho!!

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