Starter Problems

R

Ronniels

New member
I have an RK-31 less than a year old...(with less than half the hours of any other of my machines during that same year...can't keep it running)
Anyway, off and on it keeps having this deal where the starter locks (warm or cold) and has to be hand cranked...Yes, battery and battery connections all check out, anyway, usually it does it off and on. has been doing it for a solid month this time.
Do these things come apart and rebuildable like an automotive starter?
If so, I can do that...just have never had to pull one of my machines that far apart yet. (Been lucky over the years...plus I attempt to take care of them)
I think this thing has a warranty on it, but I gave up on talking to anyone at D***o after rude treatment 3 out of the first 4 times this thing died on us. (Larry is the only person who treated me right on the phone...and that was the one time I actually got helped)

Don't mean to sound cranky about this machine...but it has just dissapointed me from day one....And it's not fun hand pulling that V-Twin!!

Thanks in advance!
 
Check the solenoid first. If it is ok I think you might hav a dead spot in your starter. Run a load test on your battery first. Any auto parts store can do that for you. A weak battery will also cause your burner reset button to pop out also.
 
First, NEVER start the machine against a load. Open the gun and keep it open to dump any pressure in the system. Also, make sure the water is running before you stat.

Second, if you have even not done the above once you could have caused a dead spot on the solenoid or the starter.

Apparently Ford has a small starter solenoid that is only about $40 and works forever in our application.

The one used by the engine manufacturer is as small and light duty they can get away with. Honda actually insists on testing any unit that uses their engines before they warrant them for the application.

No pressure washer manufacturer warrants the engines used, they honour the supplier warranty. Therefore if you believe the failure is a warrantable claim you can go to your local small engine specialist and get the repair done under warranty. If all else fails then contact the manufacturer of the pressure washer and get them to advocate on your behalf.

Hope this helps? Cheers.
 
Defintitely not the battery, but I will check the solenoid, it does have the ford tree branch looking thing on it.

Thanks
 
Check the Solenoid first then the key switch. Pay attention to the posts before this one they are all great advice. A normal Generic starter solenoid from your auto parts store will cost about $10.00 I buy them for that all the time. You will probobly have to buy larger terminals for the wires as well.
 
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I have a RK-31 also with about 150 hrs on it. Once in awhile if it does start on a couple of turns, and the pressure builds up. The starter will not turned it over under pressure. Once I drop the pressure not problem starting. I got the 18 HP delco does sell the RK-16 also plus I kept good spark plugs to. If my washer does it a couple of times I change the plugs.

Good Luck!

AL'S Power washing Service
Dover, Delaware
 
It has these none justable Pulsar 280 unloader. But its no problem starting when I relief the pressure.
 
Well, Did you fix the problem?
 
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