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Hello I am new here and need some help. I have an old Sears Craftsman 5 HP tiller that ran good last year. At the end of the season it stopped running. I was done with the work needed and stored. I just tried to start and couldn't get it to run.

I tried the plug against the engine and no spark. i replaced plug still no spark. I then replaced the armature. No spark. I tried with and without the kill switch wire.

What should I do next?

Thanks

Make sure that the flywheel magnet isn't covered with a thick coat of rust ( Briggs says will not effect fire but it does). also make sure that the armature air gap is set to the .010-.014 standard.

I think this is also post 500 for me.

bdallas said:

Hello I am new here and need some help. I have an old Sears Craftsman 5 HP tiller that ran good last year. At the end of the season it stopped running. I was done with the work needed and stored. I just tried to start and couldn't get it to run.

I tried the plug against the engine and no spark. i replaced plug still no spark. I then replaced the armature. No spark. I tried with and without the kill switch wire.

What should I do next?

Thanks

Click to expand...

A spark plug tested against the engine is not the best way to check for spark.
You should use a spark tester.
Best to supply engine model and tiller details if you want help.

Holding the plug against the block is a good way to check for spark because you can see the strength of the spark. Dark blue is an indication of good spark. Light blue or whitish yellow is sign of poor spark. Just an FYI from a certified outdoor power equipment mechanic.

Edwards Saw Service in Glen Mills PA

Edwards saw service said:

Holding the plug against the block is a good way to check for spark because you can see the strength of the spark. Dark blue is an indication of good spark. Light blue or whitish yellow is sign of poor spark. Just an FYI from a certified outdoor power equipment mechanic.

Edwards Saw Service in Glen Mills PA

Click to expand...

And how do you expect to load the coil properly to check for spark?
A spark tester will do just that.
Its designed this way so that the coil is at maximum limit when the spark jumps across.
Also you cant have a weak spark.
Its either spark or no spark.

Here is the tiller info best i could find

Sears Craftsman 5 HP 206cc
Model 2472987500370
Craftsman model number:
Model 247-298750-0370
Chain drive 5hp 206cc
(I believe the model number is 247-298750, and 0370 is a serial number)

Briggs & Stratton engine numbers:
Model - 130202
Type - 0523-04
Code - 78041407

How fast do I need to turn the flywheel for spark. The pull cord broke so I was trying my cordless drill but wasnt charged and flywheel did not spin really fast?

Thanks

Did you replace with new style magnatron coil or did you just replace armature?
Reason for this is this model may have points and it could be points that need replaced or cleaned.
If you fitted magnatron coul then the points will not be needed.

pugaltitude said:

And how do you expect to load the coil properly to check for spark?
A spark tester will do just that.
Its designed this way so that the coil is at maximum limit when the spark jumps across.
Also you cant have a weak spark.
Its either spark or no spark.

Click to expand...

I was talking in regards to checking the plug itself for good spark not the coil itself. Sorry I didn't clarify.

Edwards Saw Service in Glen Mills PA

It looks to me your model has points and condenser, replace them

my dad replaced points with armature about 6 years ago. I took old armature to parts store and this is what they gave me
B&S ARMATURE - MAGNETO
PART NO. 397358.

UPDATE - Took plug and armature to small engine shop where bought armature. Tested plug and is good. They are testing the armature and will get back to me. The flywheel key had a small indentation. Could that cause? engine shop did not think so.

Thoughts - thanks