Thank you all for your replies.

Based on your answers which led to further research, I think this nails it:

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will
fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking sound. The lack
of power can be caused by a low battery, by corroded or loose connections
in the battery cable, or by a damaged positive (red) cable from the
battery. Any of these problems will result in some, but not enough, power
being sent to the solenoid, which means that the solenoid will only begin
to push the engagement gear, making the metallic click sound. Starter
solenoid problems are best diagnosed by an experienced auto-electrician.
____

I previously referred to a "grinding" sound but it would be more accurately
called a "rapid clicking sound." My bad.

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack

Auto mechanic.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
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..


"Way Back Jack" wrote in message
...

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped
with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician?
auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack

"Way Back Jack" wrote in message ...
Thank you all for your replies.


I previously referred to a "grinding" sound but it would be more accurately
called a "rapid clicking sound." My bad.

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack


Any decent small engine mechanic should be able to troubleshoot your starter circuit but......

If you really want someone who knows the Kohler CH740s motors, locate an Exmark commercial mower dealer in your area.
The Kohler twin cylinder motors are often used in them and the Exmark dealers tend to be top-notch.
They would also have any replacement parts you'd need.

You can find a dealer near you at www.exmark.com

"Way Back Jack" wrote
I previously referred to a "grinding" sound but it would be more
accurately
called a "rapid clicking sound." My bad.

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work,
who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack

Maybe yourself. Sounds like the starter solenoid want to kick in, but does
not have the juice. Rad my post about cleaning the connections. That is
step one. Then be sure the battery really is charged. If neither works, an
auto mechanic or small engine guy would be a good bet. My guess it is the
engine side, not the generator side, so any competent engine guy can get you
going.

On Sep 8, 5:32*pm, Way Back Jack wrote:
Thank you all for your replies.

Based on your answers which led to further research, I think this nails it:

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will
fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking sound. The lack
of power can be caused by a low battery, by corroded or loose connections
in the battery cable, or by a damaged positive (red) cable from the
battery. Any of these problems will result in some, but not enough, power
being sent to the solenoid, which means that the solenoid will only begin
to push the engagement gear, making the metallic click sound. Starter
solenoid problems are best diagnosed by an experienced auto-electrician.
____

I previously referred to a "grinding" sound but it would be more accurately
called a "rapid clicking sound." *My bad.

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? *auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack

If it is a 12v batter & starting system and you can get your car close
enough.....jump it with the car.

Or

disconnect the various connection points (one at a time). Clean them
& reconnect.

pull the battery out of a car & use it.

my answer may not be the greatest, since I missed a lot of this
thread.

cheers
Bob

On Sep 8, 8:32*pm, Way Back Jack wrote:
So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? *auto
mechanic?

If you've got a friend who's an auto mechanic, that would work. Auto
mechanics usually do not make house calls, especially for something
that isn't an auto.

It is probably a simple matter of lifting the lid on the battery box,
removing the cables from the battery, and cleaning the corrosion.
There is likely to be a large pile of blueish crud on one or both of
the battery posts.

On Sep 8, 8:32*pm, Way Back Jack wrote:
Thank you all for your replies.

Based on your answers which led to further research, I think this nails it:

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will
fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking sound. The lack
of power can be caused by a low battery, by corroded or loose connections
in the battery cable, or by a damaged positive (red) cable from the
battery. Any of these problems will result in some, but not enough, power
being sent to the solenoid, which means that the solenoid will only begin
to push the engagement gear, making the metallic click sound. Starter
solenoid problems are best diagnosed by an experienced auto-electrician.
____

I previously referred to a "grinding" sound but it would be more accurately
called a "rapid clicking sound." *My bad.

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? *auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack

Well, I waited for the generator tech after all and he diagnosed a
dead battery and put in a new one. No charge to me; part of the
service contract.

I thought that the AC chargers drastically reduced the incidence of
dead batteries.

On 9/12/2011 2:02 PM, Jack wrote:
On Sep 8, 8:32 pm, Way Back wrote:
Thank you all for your replies.

Based on your answers which led to further research, I think this nails it:

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will
fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking sound. The lack
of power can be caused by a low battery, by corroded or loose connections
in the battery cable, or by a damaged positive (red) cable from the
battery. Any of these problems will result in some, but not enough, power
being sent to the solenoid, which means that the solenoid will only begin
to push the engagement gear, making the metallic click sound. Starter
solenoid problems are best diagnosed by an experienced auto-electrician.
____

I previously referred to a "grinding" sound but it would be more accurately
called a "rapid clicking sound." My bad.

So, other than waiting for the generator tech who is swamped with work, who
would be the next best person to fix the issue: electrician? auto
mechanic?

Thanks, Jack

Well, I waited for the generator tech after all and he diagnosed a
dead battery and put in a new one. No charge to me; part of the
service contract.

I thought that the AC chargers drastically reduced the incidence of
dead batteries.

bad chargers can hasten the demise of batteries.

"chaniarts" wrote in message
...
I thought that the AC chargers drastically reduced the incidence of
dead batteries.

bad chargers can hasten the demise of batteries.


Where I work we have 2 desel pumps that have 250 hp engines on them for
emergency fire protection.. The charging system is very high dollar units.
They still go bad and cook the 2 12 volt batteries on each pump. Acutally
there are 2 sets of batteries for each pump. If one set goes bad, it
switches over to the next set to try for a start. Even though the chargers
are high dollar, they are made in China.