Lincoln Ranger 8, won't idle up......

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Hey ya'll, this is my first post on this forum and probably could find the answer I'm looking for if I had the time to read through some of the previous posts but I'm looking for some quick help and would appreciate all suggestions if it will save me a shop bill. I bought a Lincoln Ranger 8 with a Kohler 20 hp engine recently on Craigslist. It only had 25 hours on it and had only been used as a generator when Hurricane Ivan came through years ago, it was not running when I bought it but I carried it to a shop and had it serviced for $200 and then put a $100 battery in it. The welder has performed well up until the other day, it still runs good but will not idle up when using it to weld, will not idle up when using a power tool and will not idle up when switching the auto idle off. The welder has 31 hours on now and still looks brand new. Would like to save some cash and fix it my self rather than carry it back to the repair shop, if anyone can give me some ideas on what to check I would relly appreciate it. Sorry for the long posting here.
Reply:Go find the idle solenoid and make sure it is not stuck. It appears this is a pull to low idle.No power to solenoid and engine should run at high idle. Gently work the shaft out of the center of the solenoid clean of the rust, treat the rust and put it back together, be careful not to bend or damages the throttle linkage.It's a 12 volt coil so you should be able to test with battery voltage.if it is a real small coil just make sure it is not a electronic throttle control. They use a motor that if forced it will break. 1/2 inch round. 1 inch square or larger is the standard solenoid that should move easy.
Reply:I've just got to work this morning, will try that tonight when I get home, sure hope thats all thats wrong with it. If that is not the problem what else is there to look for? Thanks.
Reply:If it's not a rusted/stuck idler solenoid plunger as ccawgc described, the only other thing I can think of is an open in the current transformer output signal circuit (bad/cracked solder joint) on the idler control board.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks,I'll check that too, didn't get in from work till late this evening and didn't have time or the energy to tinker on it, the heat and humidity is killing me here in South Alabama, temp hit 102 degrees about 3:30 this afternoon.
Reply:I know what you mean about no energy after getting home late.They said last night on the news we made the nations high of 103 (?) here.  I knew it was warm but I didn't realize it was that high.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I pulled the cover off of the printed circuit board and did not see any burnt places all connections were tight, I removed the solonoid switch and pulled the plunger from it, the plunger was clean like a new one so I know it was not binding or stuck. Do you reckon this solonoid could be my problem and if so where can I order another one. When the engine is running the plunger does not move forward or back, it protrudes about an inch from the switch housing while running and does not move, I can manualy pull it back to the switch and it idles down some. What elso could my problem be?
Reply:jump the coil to the battery first, see if it will pull the plunger in. Or does it pull in just as soon as the welder is turned on? and stay pulled in.?In that case will need to look at the pcb and what controls it.We could have a short.
Reply:ccawgc,I unplugged the 2 wires from the idle solonoid switch and jumped current straight from the battery, the plunger never moved. Then put both wires back on and cranked it and plunger still did not move.  This must be my problem, does anyone know where I can order the idle solonoid switch online, have been searching and haven't had any luck for this part.Thanks
Reply:Don't have an online source to recommend. But you can get price quotes from different LWS.You will need to look up the part number. You need the code number off the welder to get the right parts list. Post the code here and I can look it up for you. Then you can price search on the web and by phone.