Tractor ignition coil keeps going

[jcdestiny]

I've got an older John Deere 216 tractor with a 16 HP Koehler engine. So the first coil I replaced was 20 year old, the second I replaced I just figured I got a bad part, but now it's gone again. The voltage at the coil with the engine off and the ignition on is at the battery voltage ~12V between the positive terminal on the coil and ground. When the engine is running I'm getting about 13.7 V. Could this extra 1.7 V cause my coil to keep going? The schematic shows a rectifier/regulator connected to the stator and the coil. Is this the culprit??? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Joe:confused:

[smokediver]

Joe, the 13.7 volts when running is fine. You actually need a little above 12 volts to bring the battery up to 12 so it's normal.
Sorry I can't really say why the coil keeps going out, but sounds like whatever got the first one is still there...

[johnp900]

Use a coil with a built in resistor. Auto coils don't normally have a resistor. A kohler dealer can get you a coil that will last.

[jcdestiny]

I'm using a Kohler part AM132453, I think it does have an internal resistor. Any other suggestions??

[Restrorob]

You could add one of these for 5 bux http://www.autozone.com/N,16200226//shopping/partTypeResultSet.htm;jsessionid=6ABECEC5C7BCB0B5F5951428F79B0AAF in the battery feed wire to the coil to reduce the input voltage. I have put them on a couple coil eating GM cars years ago and they ran just fine, I have just never ran across one doing it on a mower so not much help there.

[VegetiveSteam]

See if you can find out the build date of the coils you are buying. There was an issue with these coils a couple of years ago and if you have one from old stock it could be the problem. I had several that only lasted a few hours. Make sure you get a current production coil. The Kohler part number is 231281-S.