Generater Solenoid

[edbulmer]

I have a Kohler genny and the solenoid has died. I notice two bolts coming out of the back of the solenoid, will it come off of the starter by removing these two bolts? That starter will be a beatch to get off as it is behind the genny up against the firewall.

[Sailmonkey]

It's a yanmar engine most likely....you'll need to pull the starter.


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[Lepke]

Not knowing the engine model, etc. the 2 bolts should allow the solenoid rear to separate from the starter. The solenoid is a big electromagnet. When it comes apart, a round piston/like object will withdraw . It will have some linkage that pushes the starter gear into contact with the flywheel gear. The linkage may have to be disconnected to withdraw the piston.
Also, the solenoid is a high amp set of contacts. Sometimes when a starter fails, those contacts have become pitted from arcing. On a heavy duty solenoid the contacts are heavy brass and can be filed smooth again. If nothing else is burnt out, the starter will work again.
One of my generators is a Onan. I got a replacement starter on Ebay for $65. The dealer wanted $245.

[edbulmer]

Its a Kohler generator, but the solenoid looks pretty standard.