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Plow-Trac Garden-Tractor No Spark

F

fpappal

Member
I picked up an old Plow-trac that had been sitting out in the weather for a while. I only paid $30 for it. The engine is a Briggs model 170402. I started working on it today and I have no spark. The points look good, the gap was a little on the small side side so I adjusted and cleaned them off. Is there any way to test the coil? I think they actually call it an armature magneto. I can buy an aftermarket on Amazon for $33 but I hate to spend the money when I am not even sure that is my problem. I did check the gap and adjusted it accordingly. The throttle is not in the off position either. I am testing for spark by simply laying the spark plug on top of the engine. I guess it is possible I am not getting a good ground but I also held the wire briefly and did not feel anything.

On a side note, I checked the compression and it was only at 30psi. I squirted some oil in the cylinder and it jumped to 60psi. So not sure if things were just bone dry from sitting so long, or if there is more going on.

Any thoughts?
 
I don't know enough to be any help. A year or so ago I took mine with the original 5 hp. engine to an amish small engine shop that does a lot of business. It ran but not the greatest. For one thing they rebuilt the carb. Now it runs like new, after sitting all winter yesterday I got it out to plant potatoes and it started the first pull. The plow trac is on the left edge of this picture.
a155312.jpg
 
Check the key on the flywheel, If this
is a alumium engine with points under
flywheel? then disconect the stop wire
and inspect it for shorts to block , I think
briggs made a retro solid state coil that
does away with points. Also the plunger
that opens points may be sticking, clean that
 
That solid state gizmo from Briggs was called a Magnatron. Fits most coils from the early 80s and up. Look up this one on ebay. 151635939790. I fixed more goofed up little engines with this kit. No need of points or condenser anymore. The engines also run better!
 
Yes the points are underneath the flywheel,the key is in good shape. The points are opening and closing just fine and appear to be in good shape. I went to Advance Auto today to look for a condenser. The only condensers they had have the wire coming out of them. I need the kind that has a little spring on the end that you insert the wire into. I see you can get them for about $10 online but I am going to check with my local briggs dealer tomorrow. All wires appear to be good and I don't think something is getting shorted out. I will keep you posted. Thanks.
 
The T bar you see is the back of the drawbar I made, it's attached to the front and to the hitch point regularly used. I bolt on cultivator sweeps etc. I also made a "wing plow" (pictured) that loosens the soil fairly deep.
a155452.jpg
 
Rub those points with some 400 grit emery cloth until they're shiny, then see if you have fire to the spark plug. Hal
 
I bought a points and condenser kit for $10 at my local small engine shop. I got spark!! Now to clean the carb...
 
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