Strange ignition issue

[ChaplainJeff]

I have a Troy-Bilt (126T02-0675-B2) push lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton Model 120000 engine. I can't get it to start. Suspecting the spark plug, I connected my ignition tester from the ignition coil boot to GROUND on the engine block. A spark in the tester gap tells me that the inductor coil is producing current. Removing ground and clipping it to the spark plug shows no spark. Easy... bad plug, right? Well, I replaced the plug and got the same indications. Used a second new plug and still no spark. Only when connecting tester between the spark plug boot and block ground do I get any spark. I am totally stumped. Please HELP! :confused2:

 

[Rivets]

Your coil is probably going bad. Before replacing, try a couple of of things first. 1. Remove the shroud (engine cover) and then remove the kill wire on the coil. 2. Remove the coil and with some fine abrasive paper, clean the the legs of the coil and the magnets on the flywheel. 3. Install the coil and set the air gap between the coil legs and the magnet to .010". 4. With the kill wire off and the spark test hooked in, no plug, to ground, spin the flywheel by hand. Careful not to get your fingers caught, should spin easy without the plug installed. 5. If you see a spark, insert the plug into the circuit, not in the engine, and spin again. 6. If no spark replace the coil. If spark attach the kill wire and retest. 7. Spark, reassemble engine, no spark start looking for a short to ground in the kill circuit.

 

[ChaplainJeff]

Thanks for the speedy help. This mower is brand new from last season. Used it for a couple of months. Stored it for Winter and now it has trouble. Go figger!

Your coil is probably going bad. Before replacing, try a couple of of things first. 1. Remove the shroud (engine cover) and then remove the kill wire on the coil. 2. Remove the coil and with some fine abrasive paper, clean the the legs of the coil and the magnets on the flywheel. 3. Install the coil and set the air gap between the coil legs and the magnet to .010". 4. With the kill wire off and the spark test hooked in, no plug, to ground, spin the flywheel by hand. Careful not to get your fingers caught, should spin easy without the plug installed. 5. If you see a spark, insert the plug into the circuit, not in the engine, and spin again. 6. If no spark replace the coil. If spark attach the kill wire and retest. 7. Spark, reassemble engine, no spark start looking for a short to ground in the kill circuit.

 

[Rivets]

Stop immediately. If it is brand new, it is still under warranty. Minimum of two years from date of purchase. Do not do any more work or attempts to repair. Take it to a Briggs authorized repair shop. If what you say is the truth they should repair for you at no cost.

 

[Fish]

Leave the tester aside, with the spark plug removed but plugged onto the coil, lay the metal side of the plug firmly against some metal of the block [grounded] and pull the rope. Any spark?

 

[ChaplainJeff]

I did check it with the plug as suggested. Negative results as with the inition spark tester.

Leave the tester aside, with the spark plug removed but plugged onto the coil, lay the metal side of the plug firmly against some metal of the block [grounded] and pull the rope. Any spark?

 

[ChaplainJeff]

I have found an authorized repair facility. Now, to find proof of purchase. I usually keep good track of such things.

Stop immediately. If it is brand new, it is still under warranty. Minimum of two years from date of purchase. Do not do any more work or attempts to repair. Take it to a Briggs authorized repair shop. If what you say is the truth they should repair for you at no cost.

 

[Fish]

What are the numbers off of the engine? The last set of numbers are the date code and may be sufficient for warranty

 

[ChaplainJeff]

It looks like 1101215S. I have no idea how to decode it into a date.

What are the numbers off of the engine? The last set of numbers are the date code and may be sufficient for warranty

 

[GetTechnicalWithJd]

It looks like 1101215S. I have no idea how to decode it into a date.

Manufactured 2011 January 21st in factory 5S. You will need proof of purchase.