Don't have Spark

Dutchman · Apr 14, 2009

Hi all,
I'm working on a Wheel Horse, [ it's a small tractor type .. sort of .. ] , 16hp 2cyl. with a Briggs & Strattion ...
I clean the flywheel magnet [ I think that's what it is ] it's on the outside of the flywheel...
Theres a fork thing , mounted on the engine that the plug wires run from.. [ I'm not sure but think it's the coil ]
I don't get any spark... ARE THERE POINTS SOMEWHERE ???

Does anyone have an idea .. where I should start ??.... or what I should replace ??...

I want THANK YOU in advance ... I do appricate any and all advice ....

Mark

Janicholson · Apr 14, 2009

Probably no points at all. Just some internal electronics that dump the magneto primary at a specific voltage. Then the spark jumps. There is possibly a ground wire, and a shorting wire that stops the tractor. If the wire that leads out is disconnected from all switches, and the core is close to the fly wheel (use a .003" feeler, or two sheets of paper to set the gap to the Flywheel) it should spark. It is not dependent on any other parts like the crank shaft key (if the key is bad, it will be out of time, but still spark) If no spark, the only answer is a new mag. JimN

pat sublett · Apr 14, 2009

It has an electronic ignition unless it is very old. Yes that is the coil. Most of the time when there is no spark it is because of a safety switch somewhere. There is a small black wire coming from the coil. If you open the wire you are removing all of the safety switches and ignition switch from the circuit. The ignition switch grounds the coil to kill the engine. If you disconnect the wire and it starts, you won't be able to kill the engine except possibly chocking it, but that is a fast way to check safety switches and ignition switch to make sure they are not causing the problem.

ken in texas · Apr 14, 2009

If it is really old it will have points under flywheel,and flywheel will have to come off to clean and set points

El Toro · Apr 15, 2009

That engine probably has the Magnetron armature (coil) and doesn't use points. Touch the magnet with a flat blade screwdriver to see if it will attract that screwdriver. The magnets may weak, but if attracts the screwdriver the magnets are probably ok. Clean any rust off the magnet. The
Magnetron armature is probably the culprit. New ones should be available. They're not cheap. Hal
PS: Three days of rain here in MD.

Kentb of SWMO · Apr 15, 2009

If you have no fire after removing the grounding kill wire. You need to replace the coil. They are around $45 to $50.

Kent

El Toro · Apr 15, 2009

Here's a picture of a Magnetron armature used on some B&S engines. They fire when the magnet passes by the armature. No points are used. This one cost about $37.00. Hal

Dutchman · Apr 15, 2009

I remove the little black wire .... I HAVE SPARK ... put a little gas in plug holes and put the plugs back in and had it running [ for alittle bit ]

THANKS to ALL that gave me advice ...

Mark

Don't have Spark

Dutchman

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Janicholson

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pat sublett

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ken in texas

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El Toro

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Kentb of SWMO

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El Toro

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Dutchman

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