Craftsman LM only starts after sitting in sunshine

[Vancouverite]

It's just a Briggs and Stratton z-start mower, no priming and auto choke. Has a switch stop next to the brake. Yes plug is wet after several pulls.

 

[EngineMan]

Then it as to be spark, its not getting any...! so look at the kill switch, bad wire from the coil or the coil itself, take off the wire from the kill switch that goes to the coil, add wire to that so you can put the lid back on so you will be able to pull start it, and you can use the long wire to put it to earth to kill the engine if and when it fire's up, and am sure it will..!.
If the plug is wet its getting fuel, you can always look at the plug (take the plug out) to see if there is a good spark, and I mean a good spark, before you do any of the above things.

 

[Vancouverite]

I inspected the kill switch wire at both ends and removed the armature magneto. Re-inserted it using business card. Difficult to see if getting a spark. What method do you suggest with just one person. Dog might be mans best friend but not a very good assistant.

 

[Vancouverite]

I placed the plug grounding it to the engine. Did get a spark but not on every pull. Since I can't get it to turn over is it fair to say it isn't giving a strong enough spark meaning I should replace the armature magneto (ignition coil)?

 

[EngineMan]

I placed the plug grounding it to the engine. Did get a spark but not on every pull. Since I can't get it to turn over is it fair to say it isn't giving a strong enough spark meaning I should replace the armature magneto (ignition coil)?

There isn't that much more you can do now apart from renewing the coil (magneto) you should be able to see a good strong spark with every pull.
Seems you have a bad coil, HT lead or kill wire, kill wire maybe going to ground somewhere.

 

[pugaltitude]

You need a spark tester to check for spark.
You need to load the coil to its full capacity which a spark tester will do.
You also dont know whats happening to the plug when it is in the cylinder and under compression conditions!

 

[Vancouverite]

Thanks gentlemen, I'll pick-up a tester and try it out. I'll give an update.