[Kidtractor]

Hello,

New here to the post.

I have a case 444 with a transplanted Onan P218G. The tractor runs good and works hard but it has been hard to start - starter not engaging and "dead" heading.

Well, last night the ignitionn switch fried. Does anyone have a wiring diagram just to make sure that the wiring was indeed correct..?? I will also need a new switch, the old switch has 4 terminals and now I see new switches that have 5 terminals. The Onan P218G has electronic ignition- no points and the starter has a solenoid on it so the wiring was done without a solenoid up near the battery... Thoughts......

Thanks in advance for the info....

kidtractor

 

[Hydriv]

This thread actually belongs in the ONAN forum because it is essentially an Onan issue.

I suggest that you help yourself in the following manner.

Get the serial number of your tractor and then visit the Parts Manual section of the Library. Look under the Tractors- Kohler powered to locate the parts book that is correct for your tractor when it was original. You will find a wiring pictorial closer to the back of that manual.

If you go to the FAQ's section, you will find contact information for "Ingersoll Dealers".

Here's the thing. We need Boomer to come along and comment on this issue because he knows more about Onan engines than I do. I'm not sure whether a four terminal switch will do the job or not. Perhaps the Onan P engines need to be shorted out to shut them off, just like the Vanguard's do. If so, then your 4 post switch is definitely wrong. Mad Mackie would also be a good person to chime in here. So hang in there and give these guys a chance to see this thread.

 

[mikebramel]

Battery powered ignition on this engine

 

[Hydriv]

Thanks Mike.... I see no reason to use anything but the OEM ignition switch with 4 pins on it. One pin is for the plus side of the battery. One pin is for the headlamps. One pin is for the lead to the ignition coil. One lead is to send power to the starter solenoid.

If the P series engine uses a starter with a piggy-backed solenoid, then a separate solenoid is not needed. The issue at that point surrounds the safety switches. The OEM separate solenoid that controlled the Kohler K-321 engine could be utilized to solve the safety switch issue. The key would control that solenoid and the safety switches would interrupt the operation of that solenoid as they always did with the original Kohler under the hood. The heavy lugs on the solenoid would control the power going to the small terminal on the Onan's piggyback solenoid.

You will have to figure out what this person did when they transplanted that engine into this chassis.


For those following this thread, here is a glaring example as to why re-powered tractors are a pariah at the dealer and why they don't bring good money even with private sales. Whomever buys such a tractor is often confronted with the Voodoo left by the Seller. There is no Parts, Operator's or Service Manual to consult to help diagnose the problem