1988 Bobcat walk behind Kawasaki eng

[Frenchie]

Hey,
I am looking for any suggestions. My ransome Bobcat has a kawasaki FC420V engine. It died on a lawn. It has no spark. Tried to put a new spark plug in and that didn't spark either. I am looking for any feedback. This machine has run well for me for several years with regular oil,oil filters, spark plugs, air filters, belt, and blade maintenance.
Thanks alot!
Frenchie

[JoeinJasper]

If it has no spark, then the coil is probbably bad. Joe

[Restrorob]

Could be either the coil or igniter/control unit that failed or something else causing the problem. You can disconnect the kill wire from the unit harness at the engine then check for spark again.

If still no spark the coil and igniter/control unit can be tested with a multimeter, Just choose the igniter below that looks like yours for proper testing.


http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/Restrorob/Kawasaki/FC/KawiFCCoilTest.jpg


http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m314/Restrorob/Kawasaki/FC/KawiFCIgniterTest.jpg


Good Luck

[Impressions Landscaping]

I agree with Restrorob, my old scag back up mower has the same motor on it and the ignitor went bad on it. Ran for a little while when it was cool but once it warmed up it died. Generally coils don't go bad to often, at least thats what my dealer has told me in the past, but its the ignitors. Good luck with it!

[LarryF]

Generally coils don't go bad to often,

Not sure that's true if it's a Kawasaki. Both of my coils went out on my 23HP one after only 150 hours. And someone else was complaining in this forum of a problem that sounded like mine. I suggested it might be the coils, he checked and sure enough, changing them cleared it up for him. My Exmark dealer told me that coil failure is a common problem with Kawasaki engines. If so, I'm surprised the manufacturer doesn't redesign them so that would not be the case.

[Frenchie]

I just want to thank everyone who has offered help and additional info.
I need a little more help though. Locally, I got one parts dealer who said my machine does not even have an igniter. Then if such a part existed although to him it does not it would be 80.00 ish dollars and if I wait for a bigger order He can get this existent part or I can pay shipping.... Do you guys know of anywhere on line. I'd rather pay my own shipping and get something overnight then pay for this guys shipping and he gets a whole bunch of stuff!. I can't believe this guy stays in business.
Thanks Alot!
Frenchie

[echoman8]

Hi,

I bought a Deere mower with a 14 hp kawa (fc420v) and it had no fire. After replacing the coil and ignitor, I still had no fire.

It turned out to be the ignitor (I was sold the wrong #131398). I got the correct #132770 and all worked well ($56 and tax).

Your motor may or not have the ignitor. The advise of Restrorob is great. With the kill wire disconnected then my bet is with the ignitor being bad. If it does not have the ignitor, and there is no fire with the kill wire disconnected, then I think there is a 99% chance the coil/ignition module is bad.

There is a vendor on ebay that says his aftermarket ignitor will work on fc420v kawa for about $30. I have picked an extra used one from ebay. It was on some used cowling being sold off of the motor.

So, there are some options. Also Kawasaki1 along with Restrorob helped greatly.

Good luck,
echoman

[Impressions Landscaping]

Not sure that's true if it's a Kawasaki. Both of my coils went out on my 23HP one after only 150 hours. And someone else was complaining in this forum of a problem that sounded like mine. I suggested it might be the coils, he checked and sure enough, changing them cleared it up for him. My Exmark dealer told me that coil failure is a common problem with Kawasaki engines. If so, I'm surprised the manufacturer doesn't redesign them so that would not be the case.

I didn't realize the machine was 20 years old, so I would say the coil probably had it. At least he did get it fixed, I have all Kawi motors on my WB's and never had a coil problem, only those stupid ignitors. By any chance do you know what the coils rougly cost from the dealer?

[echoman8]

By any chance do you know what the coils rougly cost from the dealer?[/QUOTE]

Hi,

I got an aftermarket coil that worked fine from Tulsa Engine Warehouse (about $15 I think). I have seen a couple of used ones going cheap on ebay.

Good luck,
echoman

[LarryF]

15 bucks sounds like a bargain. My Exmark dealer charged me $39.95 for each. I had presumed that's the going rate for them, from a dealer that is. Both plugs were badly fouled, so it looked like both coils failed at the same time. That seemed odd to me, but I was happy that new coils got rid of the problem.

[echoman8]

Hi,

I looked again and I paid $35 for it. Sorry, just another goof up.

echoman