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4514 and 4518 combination relays

8K views 21 replies 9 participants last post by  lmichael 
#1 ·
#2 ·
That's nice to know... My 4518 has a CDI issue, and to get it started, I have to push or pull on the CDI connector in order to get it started.
 
#3 ·
I see so many people indicating issues with these things. Isn't there a way to simply "bypass"? Honestly IMO electronics and lawn equipment don't belong together LOL. Anyway it's one of the things causing me to be leery of unloading my Simplicity Sovereign. What electronics there are consist of simple off the shelf relays and switches and can easily be bypassed albeit with less safety features but at least you can get the grass cut
 
#5 ·
I expect more. But, that's me. Seems a shame a piece of equipment built to last that long should have electrical parts that do the same or at least are available. In any case other than some body like aforementioned company repairing/rebuilding are there workarounds?
 
#19 ·
Repair is cheap, not advisable to tamper with safety interlocks. Repairs should last 20 years or more.
Hi Tom, Would yoou be willing to share some advice on what you need to do to repair the cdi for a 4518? I am capable of electronic repair, I just need to get it apart without damaging anything. Any suggestions as to what to look for would be great. I live in Canada and I need to get my lawn cut so I figured it would be quicker if I were to repair it myself.
Thanks
John
 
#7 ·
Hello Tom. I have an RT5000 that has been developing a problem for some time now. It would be working fine and then lose engine speed, loudly backfire, and then continue operating normally. This has happened about 10 times in the last few years. Yesterday I loaded it onto my trailer to go mowing at my land near a lake. Unfortunately it would not start again. I returned home and discovered there is no fire at the spark plug. Today I got out my shop manual and did some testing with my ohmmeter. The exciter coil was in the specified range of 234-286 at 262 ohms. The pulser coil (range 30-36 ohms) reading was 38. The primary side of the ignition coil read 0.3 (spec is .16-0.2). The secondary side read 4.5 Kilo ohms (range 3.7-4.5). The CDI unit...well I only got a few readings and they were out of the specified ranges found in my shop manual. Does any of this info mean anything to you? Any help would be appreciated. This tractor should NOT end up being used as a boat mooring anchor! Thanks in advance.
Haley Graham
 
#8 ·
On my 4518, I had to whack my CDI module on the frame for a couple years to get it started. I bought a new module from Tom on ebay and it's been a joy to have quick starts again. It is a HIGH QUALITY product (I got the reproduction part, not a rebuilt one.) So far, my combination relay is working OK. I for one, really appreciate someone taking the time & investment to pick up the reins for Honda.
 
#9 ·
Ebay! OK... Thanks TomInGeorgia. I just re-read the original post in this thread and discovered the link to Tom Bauer's business. I called the Honda dealer nearest to me earlier today and was told the CDI unit was no longer available. They (she) was very matter of fact about it and did not seem sad. I certainly was. Now my day is brightened up considerably!!
Haley
 
#11 ·
Hi again to...whoever is interested besides me. Tom Bauer, your website states "To diagnose the CDI, unplug the black wire with the red trace. If you don't have spark, the CDI has most likely failed." I began with no spark at the plug. I unplugged the black wire with the red trace. I engaged the starter and got sparks at the plug!!!....but only two. Each time I engage the starter, I get only two sparks at the plug. What does that mean? And more importantly, what do I unplug to get all my sparks back?
Haley Graham
 
#12 ·
Tom....ya' gotta let me buy you a beer sometime. It just struck me odd that I had no spark until I unplugged that red traced black wire. So then I thought maybe I should plug it back in and see what happens. I got all my sparks back!! I put everything back together, whirled her over and she fired right up! Maybe those 30 year old connections needed to see daylight again??? I don't know....BUT I've got a tractor again and I didn't need to spend 20 grand for a replacement! I think I'll go treat her to a filter cleaning!
Haley
 
#15 ·
Tom I am new to the forum and the Honda 4518. My mower runs great but on key turn to start I don’t get the low fuel light or the over heat light. I grounded the water sending unit and get the warning horn but not the dash light. I have not pulled the dash to check the bulbs yet but thought it might be a combination relay issue. Thanks
 
#18 ·
#20 ·
Hoping someone on this thread is still active...I have a Honda 4514 that has intermittent spark. Disconnected the black wire/red trace and still no spark. I have tested the ignition primary and secondary coil as well as spark plug boots and all are within specification. After reviewing the wiring diagrams for both frames 1000001-1006846 and frames 1006847-subsequent, and I have found that this machine has the fuel control unit and diode assembly, which was supposed to have been eliminated for the frame number I have (1007050). Hoping to hear from anyone that has better knowledge with these Hondas. Thanks in advance!
 
#21 ·
Have you tried wiggling the connector on the CDI ignition box? I had a 4518 and a 4514 years ago and they both needed the cdi connectors messed with to get spark out of them, very common on these tractors. You can buy a new one if you can find one but they're expensive; what I did and have done this on atv cdi boxes too is put the cdi in the oven (or if you have an air fryer, I've found thus works a little better) at about 300 degrees for 10-15 minutes, this bakes the moisture out of the electrical components. I have had this work and I've also had it not work, but I've never damaged one further than it was by doing this and I've done it many times over the years.
 
#22 ·
Sold my 4514 3 years ago, after getting my Kubota G2160 diesel. I actually contemplated keeping both :D as I still loved that little Honda for how smooth and quiet it was and so nicely maneuverable (especially compared to the land yacht Kubota). But, with power steering and practice I've been getting better at piloting the Kubota.
Anyway, I only had trouble with the Honda once with ignition. And I was dreading that it was somewhere in the circuitry. Luckily it was the spark plugs. Phew. Which surprised me, because I had run the machine the day before, and it was purring along like a Honda should, next day, coughing, sputtering, hard to no start, no power.
Anyway a couple new NGK spark plugs and it was happily purring along for the rest of the time I owned it
 
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