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16 hp Briggs - no spark

G

GF ND

New User
I have a 1975 16 hp briggs engine on a gilson garden tractor. It ran fine this summer for mowing, but now I can't get it to run. I've held the spark plug close to the head to see if there is a spark and there isn't one. I've replaced the spark plug, points and condensor. The magneto looks visually fine. I don't know any other ways to test or trouble shoot. Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks
 
Your armature may look fine, but it may be weak.
Make sure there's no rust on the magnets and check the clearance between the armature and magnets. Touch those magnets with a flatblade screwdriver to see if they have strong magnetism.
That engine is B&S model number 326434 and Gilson used it on the Ward's tractors they made for Wards. That armature is probably still available. Hal
a27430.jpg
 
In addition to checking things hal said,try disconnecting ign kill lead that goes to ign sw at eng,crank eng/try to start eng with lead disconnected,if you have spark/eng fires & runs then you have a problem in ign sw or safety sw(s) on tractor killing eng ign by grounding same,if you still don't have spark/eng won't fire & run with lead disconnected,then problem on eng in points,wiring or armature
 
Make sure where you connected the wire from your new condenser and the armature on the points aren't touching any metal. Make sure your points are gapped at .020" then clean them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol. Then see if you have fire to your plug. Hal
 
I will try that in a couple of days. Last night the starter quit working. Took it apart and only two of the brushes were still hooked up and the two permanent magnets were broke into about 15 pieces. Have one ordered.
 
I checked the points gap and verified no touching wires. The magnet had a little rust on it, so cleaned that up and it seemed to have a strong pull. The clearance between the armature and magnet is 0.011", but I don"t know what is recommended. I"ll have to wait until I get a new starter to check other things out. Is there anything else I should look at in the meantime? What does the 16 gage wire that runs from the battery side of the solenoid to some sort of capacitor/fuse on the side of the engine by the fly wheel do? It carries 12.4volts there all of the time. Thanks.
 
They recommend .010" clearance on the armature. Take post card and cut off a strip wide enough to slide under the armature over the magnets. Then loosen the bolts holding the armature and push the armature on top of the post card and tighten the bolts. Then rotate the flywheel to remove the postcard. I would think that .011" would be close enough. You can always convert the engine to battery ignition using an auto type coil. I would buy one with a built-in ballast resistor used on 12 volts. You would need to disconnect the armature wire to your points. You would need an ignition switch with battery voltage run to the switch and from the switch to the + terminal on the new coil and another wire from the - terminal on the coil to your points. Make sure your points are set at .020". Hal
ps; Not sure what that capacitor does. The parts manual just shows it.
 
Thanks for the info. When the starter comes in, I'll see if I can get it running. If not, I'll look at switching it over to battery ignition.
 
I converted the Briggs on my Yazoo to battery ignition some years ago. It starts much better than the magneto powered one.
 
I have the new starter in and it cranks over nicely. I've checked all of the other wiring and points gap and all looks good. However, spark is very weak. I can hold the spark plug wire and just barely feel the spark. Is the armature shot? Thanks
 
Since you said the magnets have strong magnetism I think your armature needs replacing and they should be available. You will need the engine model and type number. Hal
 
Check your tractor for safety switches and for the time being I would jumper them to make sure they're not causing the weak spark, but I think it's probably the armature. A lawnmower repair shop can probably test your old armature.
Our local auto parts & machine shop were setup to test them when they sold B&S parts. Hal
 
I got it running. The wire that ran from the switch to the magneto was bad. It has a good spark and seems to be working fine. Thanks for your help.
 
can u please send me the wiring diagram for the 16 hp gilson tractor. I am trying to figure out wiring on mine. Any help would be appreciated thank you
 
I just looked at the diagram he posted. If you right click on the symbol below his message you can then select open the image in a new window and see it.
 
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