Kohler Engine Troubleshooting

Here are a few troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure sufficient gas and oil is in engine because engine has a low-oil sensor (10W30 oil)

• If it is a chipper, make sure nothing is jammed inside which is stopping the drum from rotating.

• Make sure the fuel lever is all the way to the right.

• Put choke halfway.

• Make sure key is turned on/safety switch turned off (if your machine has one)

• Put gas a bit past the turtle.

• Make sure spark plug is in correctly.

• If it still does not start and your machine has a key/safety switch, the key/safety switch wire could be faulty. To confirm, unplug the key/safety switch wire and then try starting up your engine. If it turns on, then the key/safety switch wire is faulty, and we can get a new one sent out to you.

If these steps do not work, please contact Kohler at enginefieldservice@kohler.com (1-800-544-2444) and they can provide you with more assistance as they cover the engine related issues. *For electric start models, if you continue to have issues starting your engine, please contact support@detailk2.com and we will provide further assistance.

• Turn the key switch ON and try to start it.

• Turn the key switch OFF and try to start it.

• NO LUCK

• Unplug the white connector on the handle from the key switch

• Start the engine

• Call us for a key switch replacement.

• Connect the battery, red to positive and black to ground

• Hold the safety shut off down on the handle

• Lift your teeth off the ground, its direct drive.

• Start the engine

• Unplug the wires from the handle switch and try, if it did not start call us for a handle switch replacement

Tipping the machine to replace stump grinder teeth may cause oil lock, please review "How do I fix an oil lock" in this FAQ to get your machine back up and running properly.

• Turn the key switch ON and try to start it.

• Turn the key switch OFF and try to start it.

• NO LUCK

• Unplug the white connector from the key switch

• Start the engine

• Call us for a key switch replacement.

• Turn the key switch ON and try to start it.

• Turn the key switch OFF and try to start it.

• NO LUCK

• Unplug the white connector from the key switch

• Start the engine

• Call us for a key switch replacement.

• 99% of starting issues are due to sensitive or defective safety switches, not the engine. 

• Check oil level, halfway up on filler threads. 10W30

• Check Gas Level

• Make sure spark plus wire is seated on the plug

• Make sure slap shut off switch on top of chute is turned and popped out (run position)

• Make sure red bar is not pressed onto shutoff switch under chute. (Pull up on the red bar.)

• Make sure feed roller cover is closed and safety switch is depressed

• Make sure cutter wheel cover is closed and safety switch is depressed

• Try to start - half choke, gas on air cleaner to the right, set to turtle, while cranking with key in right hand slide choke to the right slowly until fires.

• If no fire, Unplug the connector for the TOP SLAP SWITCH

• Try to start - If no fire, unplug the connector to the RED BAR switch

• Try to start - Motor should fire

• Call DK2 for warranty replace switch or technical help, 888-277-6960

• Hydraulic OIL check and setup

• Fill black canister with AW32 

• start engine

• allow 5 mins for oil to fill new pump, hoses, valves, hydraulic feed wheel motor.

• move the feed roller stick shift level (under feed chute in center) down to the feed position (down is feed, center is off, up is reverse)

• Shut engine off

• fill canister to about 1 inch from top, tighten sliver cap.

• Starting engine with feed roller in off position is recommend in case you have wood in the chute cutting area.

• To check your fluid level in the black canister, loosen the nut on top and read the dip stick.

• 99% of starting issues are due to safety switches open, not the engine.

• Check oil level, halfway up on filler threads. 10W30

• Check Gas Level

• Make sure spark plug wire is seated on the plug

• Check the slap shut off switch (if equipped on chute) is turned and popped out.

• Check the red bar (if equipped) is not pressed down on the shutoff switch. (Pull up red bar)

• Try to start - half choke, gas on air cleaner to the right, set to turtle, while cranking with key in right hand slide choke to the right slowly until fires.

• If no fire, Unplug the connector for the SLAP SWITCH (if equipped)

• Try to start.

• If no fire, unplug the connector to the RED BAR switch (if equipped)

• Try to start, motor should fire

• If motor will not fire, trace the black conduit tube from the safety switches to the motor, unplug the green and white strip wire.

• Start motor, do not operate with safety switches disabled or chutes while open for your safety.

• Call DK2 for replacement switch or technical help, 888-277-6960