G2160 Battery draining + random stalling

[Rober88]

Installed a new 51R battery a couple months ago (tested well over 12.6 V straight from the store). Left in storage with terminals disconnected.
Mowed first cut of the season yesterday:

• Before first cut: 12.52 V – started fine
• After ~1 hr: 12.43 V – hard to restart
• After 3 hr total cut: 12.3 V

This is the 3rd battery I’ve had to swap under warranty. Warranty has now expired. No idea why they keep dying this fast.

Second issue: engine stalls almost immediately after starting. If I’m quick and turn on the Reverse Awareness System right away, it stays running. Any ideas or fixes? Thanks!

 

[85Hokie]

I would think you have a charging problem. While engine running....check voltage at battery. Should be close or over 14 volts

 

[TheOldHokie]

Installed a new 51R battery a couple months ago (tested well over 12.6 V straight from the store). Left in storage with terminals disconnected.
Mowed first cut of the season yesterday:

• Before first cut: 12.52 V – started fine
• After ~1 hr: 12.43 V – hard to restart
• After 3 hr total cut: 12.3 V

This is the 3rd battery I’ve had to swap under warranty. Warranty has now expired. No idea why they keep dying this fast.

Second issue: engine stalls almost immediately after starting. If I’m quick and turn on the Reverse Awareness System right away, it stays running. Any ideas or fixes? Thanks!

Whats battery voltage with engine running?

You dont turn on KRA - it turns itself on when the engine is started. Pressing the button after startup disables KRA. Engine stopping on startup sounds like one of the KRA safety switches is malfunctioning.

Dan

 

[Rober88]

Whats battery voltage with engine running?

You dont turn on KRA - it turns itself on when the engine is started. Pressing the button after startup disables KRA. Engine stopping on startup sounds like one of the KRA safety switches is malfunctioning.

Dan

Just tested when running... 12.1 V - 12.3 V
Any ideas what I should do? Just watched some youtube.. most say it's likely the voltage regulator or stator. I don't even know where those things are.

For my machine KRA doesn't seem to be on when I start it up. If I do not push the red button, when in reverse while cutting the mower stops.

I have to push the KRA button to get the flashing light to turn on within that button, then I can reverse while cutting. Machine has been that way for years.

 

[TheOldHokie]

Just tested when running... 12.1 V - 12.3 V
Any ideas what I should do? Just watched some youtube.. most say it's likely the voltage regulator or stator. I don't even know where those things are.

For my machine KRA doesn't seem to be on when I start it up. If I do not push the red button, when in reverse while cutting the mower stops.

I have to push the KRA button to get the flashing light to turn on within that button, then I can reverse while cutting. Machine has been that way for years.

I have a G2160 and G2460. You have the operation of KRA backwards. When KRA is active the light is off and reversing while the mower PTO is engaged will stop the engine. Pushing the button deactivates KRA and the light flashes. Read your owner's manual. If the engine immediately shuts down at startup and pushing the button keeps it running the KRA system controller is defective or it is getting bad input frim the sensors/switches

Low battery voltage with the engine running indicates a bad alternator. The stator and voltage regulator are internal components in the alternator. Simplest fix is a new alternator.

Dan

 

[TheOldHokie]

One more thing - before condemning the alternator check all wire connections. If those look good take the alternator to a parts store (NAPA, Autozone, Pep Boys, etc) and have it tested.

Dan

 

[Rober88]

I have a G2160 and G2460. You have the operation of KRA backwards. When KRA is active the light is off and reversing while the mower PTO is engaged will stop the engine. Pushing the button deactivates KRA and the light flashes. Read your owner's manual. If the engine immediately shuts down at startup and pushing the button keeps it running the KRA system controller is defective or it is getting bad input frim the sensors/switches

Low battery voltage with the engine running indicates a bad alternator. The stator and voltage regulator are internal components in the alternator. Simplest fix is a new alternator.

Dan

Ahh, thanks for the correction. Yep, my understanding was backwards. The digital copy of the manual I downloaded does not have anything on the KRA system.

I'm hopeful an alternator is easy to replace.
Would an aftermarket work alright?
https://www.larsenlights.com/alternator-new-12v-40a-aftermarket-nippondenso-2

 

[TheOldHokie]

Ahh, thanks for the correction. Yep, my understanding was backwards. The digital copy of the manual I downloaded does not have anything on the KRA system.

I'm hopeful an alternator is easy to replace.
Would an aftermarket work alright?
https://www.larsenlights.com/alternator-new-12v-40a-aftermarket-nippondenso-2

The originsl alternator is Nippondenso so an aftermarket equivalent will work fine. Thats standard practice in the automotive world but you need ti make sure the aftermarket is in fact an equivalent.

On most engines replacing an alternator is one of the easier jobs you will find. If you have never replaced one I suggest you enlist the aid of a friend that has. And of course the WSM is always your friend.

Dan

 

[stephenrobinson98741]

Installed a new 51R battery a couple months ago (tested well over 12.6 V straight from the store). Left in storage with terminals disconnected.
Mowed first cut of the season yesterday:

• Before first cut: 12.52 V – started fine
• After ~1 hr: 12.43 V – hard to restart
• After 3 hr total cut: 12.3 V

This is the 3rd battery I’ve had to swap under warranty. Warranty has now expired. No idea why they keep dying this fast.

Second issue: engine stalls almost immediately after starting. If I’m quick and turn on the Reverse Awareness System right away, it stays running. Any ideas or fixes? Thanks!

This really sounds like two things possibly connected.

First, your battery shouldn’t be dropping that fast during normal mowing — I’d suspect weak charging from the alternator or a bad connection somewhere.

Second, the stalling tied to the Reverse Awareness System makes me think there’s a sensor or safety circuit issue reacting to low voltage or unstable signal at startup.

I’d start with charging system checks before replacing anything else.

 

[lmichael]

Ahh, thanks for the correction. Yep, my understanding was backwards. The digital copy of the manual I downloaded does not have anything on the KRA system.

I'm hopeful an alternator is easy to replace.
Would an aftermarket work alright?
https://www.larsenlights.com/alternator-new-12v-40a-aftermarket-nippondenso-2

I have had excellent luck with starters and alternators from this company. From what I've observed using them for many years they seem to be as good as or maybe a touch better than OEM. Certainly a FAR cry better than so called reman ones Alternator - Kubota Tractor L2800 L3130 L3400 L3430 L39 L4300 M4700 M4800 | DBE
But you may not have a bad alternator. Check the entire electrical system FIRST, parts replacement is always the last step after diagnosis