Partner Chainsaw Ignition Problem

First, a description of the ignition system: The ignition system is made up of a magnet in the flywheel with a coil assembly next to the flywheel. The coil assembly includes a secondary high tension line to the plug, a primary line to ground and a primary line to an unknown black electrical part in the handle. The wire from the coil to the part in the handle also goes to the run switch. The switch grounds out the wire to kill the saw. The black electrical part has a connection to ground. It appears to me that the black electrical part is some kind of ingnition module and not just a capacitor because there are no points on the saw.

Now for the problem: I can get a good strong spark some of the time. Maybe the longest it will work continuosly is 10 to 20 cycles. I could try to start it 10 times and get nothing, and on the 11th, it runs just a little bit. When it does spark, the spark is a strong blue color. But the spark is very intermittant. I have cleaned all electrical connections and ground connections and replaced the plug and hight tension lead. I can confirm spark vs. no spark using my automotive timing light. When the light flashes, the saw fires. When the light is out, the saw is dead.

My question: Is this black electrical thing an ignition module and if it is, is this a resonable set of symptoms to replace it? Finding parts is hard and this one may be expensive. I have a sentimental attachment to this saw and would really like to get it running again.

Thanks,

Flip

I was also wondering what the gap should be between the module and the magnets on the flywheel.

Thanks,
Jeff