Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): charging problem... burnt resistors..leakage at battery, charging system, battery cable

Question
Hi Eric, I went to start my 3 year old J. Deere Lx 266 16 hp (Koehler engine model: CV460S Spec: 26511) today and it would barely turn over.  The battery was dead. I have had no problem with the battery this spring cuting the grass a few times and it was taking a charge... i asssumed.  When i jumped the tractor it started right up but the alternator light on the dash stayed on and i smelled something burning. I found the source of the smell and slight smoke was from 2 small resisters on the circuit board for the tractor.  I know i did not jump it improperly, could these bad resistors be why the battery was dead? or have anything to do with the charging system?
I took my meter and found 12v between the pos. batt terminal and the red battery cable...I suspect it looks like a lot of leakage is going on.  Thanks for your advice.


Answer
Does the engine have a regulator on it?  Look around the engine block for a couple of wires coming out of the engine housing.  Follow them from the engine to the main wire harness.  If you find a module with wires running in the out to the charging system that is your regulator.  The regulator maybe bad.

http://www.simpletractors.com/service/kohler_electrics.htm

http://www.kohlerengines.com/service/maintenance/basictroubleshooting.jsp#faq5

http://members.aol.com/pullingtractor/starter.htm

See the above links for information on electrical systems.
Let me know if this helps.

Eric