No spark . What to check next

[Dmitry]

Tried to start my older Super tomahawk chipper with Briggs and Stratton 8 hp engine and failed. Found out with ignition tester there is no spark. Removed cover panel with switch and wires that goes to switch does not look good. Probably mice damage. Can it be the cause of failure? Also how to check if switch is not the cause?

 

[Dmitry]

Some pics of the wires and switch . Is switch wired right way?. There is three prongs . One is not used, the other connected to black wire, and one more connected to 2 white wires. Not sure if harness or wiring is original .

 

[VirginiaIron]

Without seeing a schematic I cannot tell what the switch does. Many systems of this type uses a contact to ground the circuit to stop the spark, but the switch may actually do the opposite. I'd say that anything with insulation requires insulation to work properly. Try isolating the wires to produce spark and if that doesn't work try completing the circuit through the switch. Also, and just as important is the amount of rust on your flywheel. Probably good to clean that and the coil section and adjust the gap if needed.

 

[Jags]

Not sure of the vintage of this motor. Is it a points ignition or electronic?

 

[Dmitry]

https://www.ereplacementparts.com/b...engine-parts-c-16758_17347_280796_280956.html

That’s what it is

 

[Jags]

Electronic. OK, that rules out points. Get that mice damage all cleared up and we can go from there.

 

[Medic21]

Just looking at the pictures get the rust cleaned off the flywheel and set the coil gap. Start simple.

 

[Dmitry]

What the best way to get rust out ? Should I just use sand paper or something else ?

 

[Medic21]

What the best way to get rust out ? Should I just use sand paper or something else ?

Emery cloth on the magnet and pickup. I just use an index card or a business card for the gap.

 

[Dmitry]

Emery cloth on the magnet and pickup. I just use an index card or a business card for the gap.

Thanks will do, and report back. Jags suggested to change the wires with stripped insulation first. but harness is obsolete and not sold by Briggs and Stratton anymore.

 

[BenTN]

Thanks will do, and report back. Jags suggested to change the wires with stripped insulation first. but harness is obsolete and not sold by Briggs and Stratton anymore.

Go to lowes and get a few feet of 16-18ga stranded wire, butt splices and shrink tubing.

 

[Jags]

Yep - no need to replace the harness. Just fix what is bare and in the process confirm its integrity (nothing broke or loose).

 

[Dmitry]

Update Guys thank you . it works , cleaned the flywheel magnet and it started on second pull. Wish I knew it from the start. Now i got new spark, new spark wrench kit, cleaning aerosol, starting aerosol. LOL.

 

[Jags]

I love it when a plan comes together...