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I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not start

The title, pretty much says it all. I have checked the carburetor and there is gas in the bowl. I removed the spark plug & it doesn't seem to be get a spark. I also checked the sparkplug wire and nothing there, either. I haven't been into a lawn mower engine, for quite a few years, but I imagine that the ignition doesn't consist of the age old points & condenser, as I feel it is probably a sealed unit by now. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you, Bill

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Bill440 said:

The title, pretty much says it all. I have checked the carburetor and there is gas in the bowl. I removed the spark plug & it doesn't seem to be get a spark. I also checked the sparkplug wire and nothing there, either. I haven't been into a lawn mower engine, for quite a few years, but I imagine that the ignition doesn't consist of the age old points & condenser, as I feel it is probably a sealed unit by now. Any information would be appreciated. Thank you, Bill

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Does the engine turn over/crank when you turn the key to start?

Hard to tell if you have spark without an in line spark tester.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

shiftsuper175607 said:

Does the engine turn over/crank when you turn the key to start?

Hard to tell if you have spark without an in line spark tester.

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It is a push mower, for one thing. I realize I didn't specify, I guess I thought That the engine model would be an indication. Anyway. I thought it was because the needle in the carburetor, might be stuck, not letting gas in.
But, I checked and, it has gas in the carburetor. So, that is why I feel that it is in the ignition. The spark plug looks good, though I have no way to check it out, for sure. I have an "in line spark tester & I adjusted it so that any spark at all, should be obvious. I had no spark at all. Just to try to verify that, I even connected the spark plug wire to the plug, held it against a clean metal part of the engine and turned it over. Still no spark.

I am from, back when these engines had a magneto, points & a condenser. I realize things have changed a lot, since then and that is why I am here, to find out what I can out what I am dealing with and so I can get on with getting this thing running again. The grass is growing and I need to get it cut. So, any assist, is sure appreciated.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Bill440 said:

It is a push mower, for one thing. I realize I didn't specify, I guess I thought That the engine model would be an indication. Anyway. I thought it was because the needle in the carburetor, might be stuck, not letting gas in.
But, I checked and, it has gas in the carburetor. So, that is why I feel that it is in the ignition. The spark plug looks good, though I have no way to check it out, for sure. I have an "in line spark tester & I adjusted it so that any spark at all, should be obvious. I had no spark at all. Just to try to verify that, I even connected the spark plug wire to the plug, held it against a clean metal part of the engine and turned it over. Still no spark.

I am from, back when these engines had a magneto, points & a condenser. I realize things have changed a lot, since then and that is why I am here, to find out what I can out what I am dealing with and so I can get on with getting this thing running again. The grass is growing and I need to get it cut. So, any assist, is sure appreciated.

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So, you have a handle you pull/hold before you try and start.
Check that the cable is doing it's job.
When it is released the mower will not spark...it grounds the coil.
When you pull the handle it must open the kill switch...this could not be working.

You may have to take the engine shroud off to see the action of the bail cable.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

shiftsuper175607 said:

So, you have a handle you pull/hold before you try and start.
Check that the cable is doing it's job.
When it is released the mower will not spark...it grounds the coil.
When you pull the handle it must open the kill switch...this could not be working.

You may have to take the engine shroud off to see the action of the bail cable.

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You know, I never even thought about that being the possible problem. I will sure check that out. Thanks for the
input, sure appreciate it.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Pull the cut out wire off the coil.
Start the engine ( well try to ) if it does not start the coil is toast.
If it starts & runs then there is a problem with the kill switch or the wires.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

bertsmobile1 said:

Pull the cut out wire off the coil.
Start the engine ( well try to ) if it does not start the coil is toast.
If it starts & runs then there is a problem with the kill switch or the wires.

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I appreciate that, I will sure check that out, tomorrow.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Yes Bert is correct on taking the black wire off of the mag/coil.... That eliminates any possible shorts between the coil and kill cluster.....

When you take air shroud off to do that then you can clean all the debris out of the fins to make sure the engine runs cool.....

If you do have spark and a no start, then you need to address the carb. or possible fuel line blockage........

Let us know Mon Ami ~!~!

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Bill I see you in Perry County........ My sister lived in Houston which is a hop skip and a jump from your town....

That was years ago though............

Plus Tard Mon Ami ~!~!

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Boudreaux In Eunice La. said:

Bill I see you in Perry County........ My sister lived in Houston which is a hop skip and a jump from your town....

That was years ago though............

Plus Tard Mon Ami ~!~!

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Pretty cool, I actually live by a Harris Brake Lake & Houston isn't that far away. Also, I greatly appreciate the input here. And I will definitely check that circuit out. I need to get this mower going, as it has been raining off and on and that grass just won't give me a break by waiting for me to get the mower running and just keeps on growing. More on this, after I check it out more.

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

Bill440 said:

Pretty cool, I actually live by a Harris Brake Lake & Houston isn't that far away. Also, I greatly appreciate the input here. And I will definitely check that circuit out. I need to get this mower going, as it has been raining off and on and that grass just won't give me a break by waiting for me to get the mower running and just keeps on growing. More on this, after I check it out more.

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Lucky you.
Yesterday was 204 days since the last rain

Re: I have a Snapper mower, with the Briggs & Straton 725EX engine & it will not star

bertsmobile1 said:

Lucky you.
Yesterday was 204 days since the last rain

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Yeah, you have a good point. Hope you all get some soon. We had more today and have had, for nearly every day or so, for a while now. for the next 9 days, we aren't predicted to have any. So, hopefully, you all will get some much needed rain.