How To Diagnose An Ignition Module Without Any Special Tools

[@drreason2927]

Wished I'd a found this last week! My new module didn't help, just like you said. But your gap instructions was a great bit of knowledge. Thanks!

[@billdakelski]

Excellent FIVE Star video: 1. contains no annoying music 2. gets to the point quickly 3. covers topic completely 4. speaks clearly 5. Thank you

[@drewwood6790]

Totally agree it's been 6 years since you've left this message thats forever ago. Are you still alive?

[@user-gi3xj8nz3s]

Yeah just wondering are you still making KZbin videos?

[@ENDERTON2000]

I HATE the annoying music

[@seasonedtoker]

First time here? Donnyboy's channel is one of the few and probably the oldest 'no-nonsense' content channel on KZbin

[@ArtilleryForLife]

So, I found a deal on an ignition module for my old wheelhorse 800....and then I found this video. Needless to say I'll try this first. But regardless, MANY, MANY THANKS, You've made my life much more easy on many occasions! More important you're knowledge has kept my farm equipment running. Keep up the great work!

[@donyboy73]

Gordon Hale you're welcome

[@pavid501]

Dony I have been watching your videos since the begining and they have helped me diagnose my small engine problems and has saved over 500 dollars in parts. Thank you for the help you have given me and the rest of your subscribers. Keep it up

[@TheGallagher5]

Thanks so much for this concise and accurate video. My 20 year old Toro push mower just wouldn't start this week. Changed plug, checked and cleaned carb, new gas, new air filter and still no joy. Did this quick test to determine I had no spark and picked up a new ignition module and I'm back in business!

[@patriot4359]

IN A FEW SECONDS YOU GIVE ANSWERS WITHOUT MANY USELESS WORDS ...THANKS

[@stuffyteddybare]

these are the most helpful, simple videos..what the internet was made for..thank you for making them..cause real people are watching them and learning!

[@epiphaknee]

What a great group of tips for diagnosing small engine problems (there is hope for us viewers after all)! It is always a bonus to learn tips that require no specialized tools.

[@jimm7439]

No joy after rebuilding the carb. Adjusted the gap as you demonstrated and blower started on first pull. Many thanks, man! Much appreciated!

[@donyboy73]

+Jim M you're welcome

[@birdseyeview1543]

Thanks Donny, mine was indeed the ignition module, but narrowing it down quickly sure helped a lot. Love this old LawnBoy, glad to keep her running.....

[@markmcewen3959]

Thank you for your work. Your methodical process-of-elimination approach makes the repair simple, and ultimately, obvious. Bravo.

[@bobbyd218]

As others have said, you do a marvelous job making these videos. If you're not already, you'd sure make a great shop teacher in a technical school....You certainly help many here, including myself, for which I'm very grateful. Keep up the good work......One of the best channels on YT.....

[@ratdude747]

Good video. Used it to fix a Poulan 22.5" Push Mower with a B&S 3.5 Classic my buddy pulled from the curb. The buddy swore it was an ignition module... turns out the PO installed it upside down and had it rubbing the flywheel! The safety bar wire was unplugged too... regapped it in the right orientation and it runs well... and I got a free mower!

[@pauldowding8185]

After screwing around trying to find out why I had no spark on my mower I said to myself" What would Dony do?", watched this and had my mower running in 10 minutes. Turns out that the shutoff connector attached to the coil and to the brake mechanism was not quite always releasing from ground. Adjusted it and motor runs better that it has for years. I also used the cc method to adjust the coil clearance, that my also be giving me a better spark. Anyway, thanks a lot for you videos, it is good to know that there is a resource here that can save us some time and money.

[@mrbrock72]

Dony this video just saved me from buying a $50 ignition module. I was getting no spark on a craftsman with B&S 190cc. I did try replacing the spark plug but that didn't fix it so I figured it was the ignition module. After seeing this video I regapped the module and now the mower fires up on the first pull! It is much easier to pull the cord now so I think the module was rubbing against the magnet. Thanks!

[@gogivettenut]

Thank you for the diagnose.... I disassembled my entire snow blower to find out I had 2 kill switches 1st at the low idle shut off throttle and 2nd at plastic key pull out. it was the low idle shut off!!! with both ground wires removed set the gap on the coil had a strong spark and fired right up THANK YOU.

[@cultwho]

excellent tip on placement of the coil. When I first watched this video, I thought for sure the engine couldn't be two-stroke as I had never heard of a mower with such an engine although most line trimmers and blowers have 2 cycle engines. While they (2-strokes) are a simpler, yet higher performance engines they burn more fuel and require more maintenance than a 4-cycle engine per hour of use.

[@georgevargas56]

Thanks for the video. I almost went out and bought an ignition module, needlessly. truly appreciate it.

[@ken444444]

This a well done and informative video on the subject. Thanks for editing the video and not showing 12 minutes of rambling talk, shaky camera, and 95% useless footage!

[@donyboy73]

+ken444444 thanks lol

[@saadams4937]

Wow! Short, clear and to-the-point! Thank you so much!

[@user-gi3xj8nz3s]

You just save me a trip to the lawnmower repair shop.👍. I just try your techniques and they work . Great videos like always, keep them up

[@nivenherrington]

Thanks for the video. My older mower would not turn over. Followed your video..No spark.. New $50 ignition coil and a good carb cleaner she is up and running again. Informative video... Much appreciated!

[@pacohome1]

What a great video ! 1st video I saw that was concise and right to the point, eliminating all of the usual problems without wasting $50 on a coil that is not needed

[@donyboy73]

you're welcome, make sure you are subscribed

[@daninthesand]

I ended up bringing the coil to a repair shop and they tested it. Toast! So I am switching to a magneto type. I hope this solves the problem if not, then well everything is repaired except the valves....but at least with your help donyboy73 i have learned a lot. thanks a million.

[@dan.krause]

Filed the posts and reset the gap.... one pull and it started. Thank you for posting!

[@leevillagomez9390]

Thank you Dony. I have been searching for assistance on how to repair my mower. I like DIY projects. If this works I will definitely subscribe to your channel and look to you for more DIY small engine repairs. I’ll let you know in the morning.

[@mikeslayer5926]

IM sure someone has already mentioned wire brush the rust off the magnet and the module and regap,...ive had half a dozen or more where rust was the culprit even when it apeared to be gapped properly,...but were way humid down here in kentucky,...also those old 2 stroke lawn boys love to clog up the muffler and wont run till its cleaned,..thanks for your videos ,mike

[@billydenham9313]

I'm working on a Lawn Boy just like the one in your video. The lawn mower just stopped running on my one day and i couldn't get it to crank back up. So, I took it into my garage and started taking it apart. The flywheel key looked a little ruff so i replaced it with a new one. I also sprayed it down with degreaser to clean it up some. I also cleaned the flywheel and coil to make sure everything was good and clean. Then i used a business card to set the coil gap. I also put a new spark plug in it. When i went to crank the lawn mower it still would not crank. So, I pulled the plug to see if i was getting spark. I noticed that when i laid the spark plug close to something metal(Engine) it would spark off the side of the spark plug to the Engine, but not at the tip? Then i laid the spark plug away from anything metal to see if i had spark at the tip of the spark plug, I had no spark? This has really baffield me? PLEASE HELP!!! THIS IS MY FAVORITE LAWN MOWER!!!!

[@fomoco1454]

He's isolating the coil by unplugging the "kill wire" so it can't ground out the coil. He's taking the coil ground wire out of the circuit. Great video.

[@malcolmcapps8816]

Some don't have a ground wire

[@pops9190]

thanks for that further clarification. Love learning these things.

[@freebird1ification]

thanks donny it sure is nice of you to show all us folks how to do these things ---- some of us are on a fixed budget but all our costs for living are not and the guys close to me charge 80.00 dollars an hour to work on anything we take to them some times it's cheaper to just go and buy a new weedeater or chainsaw because the cost is only 10- 20- bucks different ....

[@petratical]

Thank you, you showed me something I always wanted to know. Isolating the coil from any switch! Brilliant, very good!!

[@laurensims2466]

Very good video, you explain it well. I'm not electrically oriented, so watching this was what I needed to find the problem in short order. Thanks!

[@semco72057]

That is another thing to check out when working on mowers. I want to thank you so much for this tip.

[@arthurbania9236]

I almost got new ignition module for my tecumseh, absolutely needlessly, good I watched that video, best appreciation to your video Donny, thx:-)

[@JuanGonzalez-ig9su]

Right on time to cancel my order you just saved me $60.00 ... thank you God bless you.

[@dave1135]

hey dony, wanted to say that for those people who have the older lawnboys, 70's and 80's, some of the models were set up as either open to run, or grounded to run. these were ones with the early cdi models

[@QuaabQueb]

An important point to mention: If you are working on a "vintage" era lawn-boy the ignition coil actually has to be connected to ground to run! These have the exact same looking coils as the one there in your video but they are white! For some reason those had a very high failure rate which is why the moved away from that design. Furthermore, just because you see spark it does not mean the coil is good, the spark can be weak or not hot enough to ignite the fuel/air mixture. The coil can also fail intermittently as it heats up with use. I have spent MANY hours chasing bad coils, particularly on old lawn-boys and Tecumseh engines. Condenser and points is a whole other deal if you are working on a really old machine.

[@kikupub71]

Same here.

[@nickl1682]

Nice info . I still learn something from every video I watch . Thanks

[@auburnalum9019]

Thank you! I did the same process on my John Deere riding lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton engine. Fixed the problem!

[@clarencethibodeaux2087]

I have watched most, if not all of your videos and have learned lots. Thank you Dony.

[@donyboy73]

thanks

[@leopreston1252]

donyboy73 I have a question for you I have a 2013 lawnboy

[@leopreston1252]

How to find info on the transmission

[@giulianomodesto99]

Clarence Thibodeaux i

[@arthurmcgivern3303]

I did not find or see a spark with this, but holding the spark plug in my hand i did get a little tingel when i spun the fly wheel over, good boy Dony, Art in Alberta

[@SteveRobReviews]

Fantastic,used it on 4 engines i thought were at the right hi rpm and the tack showed me I was 400 off. I set the lawnmowers at 3000-3100 . I noticed the tab that holds the govenor spring is bent or the spring looses tension. I was waiting to see a vid with your new tack , I should have had one years ago.

[@oregonwoodcutter2813]

Hey Doyboy: Your lawnmower and chainsaw videos are top notch for us do it yourself mechanics. Keep posting your troubleshooting tips, repair videos. Thanks. Oregon Woodcutter

[@donyboy73]

thanks man

[@holdentudix3830]

Great idea man.I’m doing a generator right now and was about to order a coil.Thanks

[@danhanks1]

This was great. My mower is starting again thanks to your excellent videos!

[@donyboy73]

you're welcome, make sure to subscribe

[@MarkSWilliams27]

Your videos are always informative and well explained. You are such a good teacher. Thanks.

[@t4862rm]

Thank You for the explanation of how the coil works. I fixed mine by adjusting my spring for the shut off switch. Saved me money by not buying a new coil, which I thought was the problem for no spark.

[@Mihu24]

Thank you alot mate for all your efforts to show în the detail all the solvings on the gasoline engines. I learned alot from you !

[@debraorr3904]

Boy you know what you are doing and you are easy to understand. Good work!

[@donyboy73]

+Debra Orr thanks

[@colliecandle]

Many thanks Donny for the good advice you give in this video - I followed the instructions for checking the gap between the stator and the fixed coil. It worked very well - I now have someone's throw away McColloch hedge trimmer which is up and running as it should. You are a star ! Liked and subbed your channel !

[@luisperea5593]

i just used this technique to fix my power washer!!! Thank you so much!!!

[@nelsonsantos770]

Awesome video! Now I can figure out! The gap on the flywheel was so big!

[@Andy-xz7hi]

Hi, so for the first demonstration where we disconnected the wiring to isolate the ignition module, I went ahead and did the same although the spark plug did not produce any sort of sparks. The ignition module is literally brand new. With that said, my concern is whether the flywheel have anything to do with it. I left the small gap between it BUT the flywheel has been damaged on the side surface. It's pretty scratched up and dented so will it have any effect on it's functions? Additionally, how many ohms will the ignition module require for it to function? Thanks.

[@GtEtroublemaker]

Great video you saved me for buying a new lawnmower. Thanks! Is running great after adjusting coil

[@1catbrains]

One of the better videos I’ve watched. Clear concise and to the point. Thank you.

[@jasonmushersee]

I have that same lawnboy, had to do the same last summer. Yesterday i diagnosed a bad flywheel on a tecumseh H60, weak magnets not producing enough field. Engine had loss of power anything above idle. Coil & points/condenser new, engine timing perfect. All i did was watch all your videos (0_0) and installed a different flywheel.

[@eugeneflorczyk2509]

this really helps me alot. Now to test mine to see if i have to replace the module or not.

[@ddteamrc6461]

Does this also work with a lawn tractor with safety switches?

[@fred306801]

Hey Donny, When I take one down that far I always clean the magnets on the flywheel and the coil. Then reset the gap with the business card. Sometimes it is hard to see IF your getting spark. So I found a better way to tell. I just get the wife to hold the spark plug. And she lets me know. Of course its the little things in life that make it worth living. Good to see you Donny keep up the good work.

[@donyboy73]

lol

[@dixoncider7256]

hahhaha. when i was a kid i did that. i can still feel it.

[@stevenbryant4718]

you know what they say: don't put your finger where you wouldn't your dix. I have a feelin' wet willie won't be cider tonight, he'll be a couch capt.

[@planecrazyish]

Great videos, highly informative. short and to the point. I'm learning a lot form you. Many thanks.

[@dwoodog]

My ignition module on my 2 yr old Toro personal pace recycler mower failed on me. I was rather PO'd that a $500+ lawnmower was giving me trouble in less than 2yrs, but between my luck with small engine equipment and the fact the whole mower is $500+ not just the ignition module I accepted it. Lucky I found another one lying around. I just had to drill the holes a bit bigger on it and it fit.

[@classic287]

Dony, Thanks for this vid. My riding mower was dead. I disconnected that small wire on the ignition module, and it fired right. I had to pull the plug wire to shut it off though. I guess I'll have to check all the safety switches. Thanks again.

[@donyboy73]

could well be the safety switch for sure, sometimes the clutch one goes

[@classic287]

donyboy73 Ya, but it's too much work to get to it on a Weedeater One, so I'll just run it with the wire disconnected from the ignition module. Runs great.

[@donyboy73]

thanks, yes i have a few spark test tools but in this video i wanted to show people this way since i get asked this a lot

[@enlightenCA]

I've also had luck sanding the rust off the flywheel to regain spark. Great video thanks for the info.

[@ballslickmaakalickmyballs4916]

Flywheel rust don't matter as a lot of ppl think. It's rust where the coil bolts on that you want to sand and make sure got good contact

[@everydaydogs]

Good grief! I've been removing the shroud, disconnecting the wire, putting shroud back on, and checking for spark. Thank you for saving me loads of time and effort in the future. Gah!

[@daninthesand]

William. Yes i eventually did replace with magneto so no pints or condenser. I decided to tear down the motor and replace oil seal etc. I am just waiting for parts...have not had time to work on it anyway. thanks for your insight though.

[@garymirenda1983]

Great clear presentation helped me correct my Briggs coil problem.

[@donjantzen]

THANK YOU for pointing me in the right direction. I had rust on both the coil as well as the flywheel. After cleaning, I had a nice strong spark. I do have a question though. The flywheel turns no problem by hand, sparks great...however when I pull the cord, it sounds like metal scraping metal from the underside... the blade isn't hitting anything...not a clunk, but scrape during the entire hard pull. The mower was stored for a few years...oil is good...but it's way harder to pull the cord now...any ideas?

[@donyboy73]

check the brake cable

[@spelunkerd]

Good video, Dony. I still find it interesting to see how these work with no battery.

[@bodeine454]

Thanks for the video! I have this same Lawn Boy with a similar problem and wasn't sure how to isolate that switch from the ignition. Super simple...

[@bobw.991]

Thanks Donny, I have a lawn boy self propelled. I found out the spark plug wasn't good. Replaced it, got spark, but it seems to be hard to pull, like it's dragging. I checked the brake pad and it is free when the bale is depressed? I don't know what else to do?

[@Pretzel114]

Great video sir, I always learn something new when watching your videos. Thanks for making them.

[@donyboy73]

you're welcome

[@davido8941]

Good video. Never really thought about this. Always checked it electronically.

[@paulwolfe3709]

AT 2:21 you can see a spark jumping from the plug wire. Either replace the end or the entire wire?

[@josephjorgensen3282]

I spent hours going in circles to just find out the kill wire was not moving far enough to stop grounding out when the safety handle was held what a day thanks this video would have helped allot

[@jimdavidson5208]

Actually its a magneto not an ignition module. Use a drill and spin the motor with no spark plug to see faster revs and more spark. You will see it immediately if you have spark or not. BUT you did say without any special tools LOL. Another great video from the best OPE mechanic on youtube.

[@woodyforest2334]

Hi Donny Great vid, thanks.. I’ve got a question, my Craftsmen mower with 6.75 Briggs n Stratton starts and runs well for 10 mins, then I see smoke and she shuts down, oil is good.. Any ideas 🇨🇦🙏

[@amtpdb1]

Did you see the spark from the case to the spark plug lead(it looked like)at 2:22? I have a ryobi trimmer that just quit. Can't see spark but a neon tester lit up? put in a new spark plug.,nothing better. Set the gap. nothing, pulled the carb and cleaned it. nothing. I sprayed starter fluid, nothing. A lot of fuel on the plug. Going to test compression tomorrow, there is pressure when I put my finger over the hole. Any suggestions? Going to get new fuel tomorrow. It was running, then quit! Thanks for the video.

[@xcodychaosx]

Cool deal man wasnt wanting to go spend 15 bucks on a tester when the part is also 15 bucks but this is a nifty trick

[@shaneworley394]

your videos are by far the best,ive learned alot and you have saved me a ton of $$ ty for your videos

[@donyboy73]

you're welcome

[@SDsailor7]

Video was excellent! Now i know how to test for spark.

[@The7col]

Yet again another great video, how about doing videos on other parts of the lawnmowers ie clutches, belts, steering, transmissions etc etc, many thanks your videos are a great help to me keep up the good work, very best to you & your family.

[@3DMachines]

great vid. fast and informative. good job

[@williamdavis1781]

Thank You. This eliminates a lot of doubt & extra expense.

[@87GP400]

Short and sweet ! Thanks for the info !

[@anthonyfoster4804]

After you do this and still have no spark check the magnets on the fly wheel for strength. The tiller I am working on the fly wheel magnets are extremely weak. Great video.

[@clintronicsrva]

I have a mower and a screw driver will barely stick to the magnet. No magnet = no spark. people should check this first before they do anything if they have access to the magnets.

[@johnlibonati7807]

This is gold. That’s a great mower by the way.

[@aaaabbbb4528]

thank you so much i had a problem with my generator and using your video it helped me so much to fix the problem......

[@riceski]

I just bought the ready made plug with a the clamp welded on to it -- and I am sure you know if you do this a lot that is a good investment. For infrequent use like most people - you have the VERY BEST WAY. Your videos are great. Do you make DVD's of them? Thanks Gary in SC USA

[@wyelandlebeouf7202]

I’m working on a similar lawn boy would improper gap cause overheating in the coil?

[@stuffyteddybare]

Your videos are always to the point, have great tips, simple to apply and understand, don't have special effects, crappy music, or poor sound/video...you'll never get your own tv show like you deserve because you save people too much money..damn

[@donyboy73]

thanks lol

[@phillipkramer6638]

I bumped into the spark plug which was exposed on a pressure washer while standing in water. That was a quick lesson on what not to do.

[@traveller5551]

Thanks a ton for these videos! I learn a lot from them.

[@2cyclemix]

Thanks for the video. I was working on a 2002 Yard Machines 3 in 1 Vac, Chipper, Shredder (5+ years of not running) and had no spark. The gap for the IM had to be increased but the problem was a safety switch. It now runs. Is it common for small engines that have been sitting for 5+ years to smoke for a few minutes after the initial start-up? Thanks again for the great videos!

[@lawnboy5166]

Great channel, where is the best place to purchase after market ignition coil for 683080?

[@donyboy73]

check ebay

[@JodBronson]

@lawn boy - Yup eBay will be the place. I just made a Video showing People how to get CHEAP Ignition Coil in my Channel!

[@scudlecrone]

Donny, great video. I have a weedeater blower that ran fine yesterday and won't start today. (although it has been starting hard) I have spark although it looks weak to me. I sprayed starter fluid in the carb and then directly in the cylinder and it won't fire. Could it be the ignition module ($40) with weak spark?

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

I've experienced the problem on Briggs engines before where it's the ground wire going to the blade brake kill switch has a bad connection with the wire at the switch, clean it up and it all works good again.

[@madforit9661]

Do you have to have the correct ignition module as i am having trouble finding the xact one There are plenty that would fit Thanks

[@donyboy73]

you can get it from toro, some aftermarket ones on ebay too

[@mikeanderson5100]

The gap on my magneto is really tight but it clears. I can barely squeeze a thin piece of paper between it after I removed and cleaned everything off. Is to close affect it, as I still no spark? thx for making it easy to diagnose.

[@docrobertdoubleoseve]

Great stuff Donyboy I now have emails sent to me by youtube so I get your videos as soon as you upload them. I got to where I don't want to one. You bring up things that sometimes are even just reminders or common sense that are always helpful. This is one of those very basic yet very very helpful videos. " Three Thumbs Up" Thanks Dony. O7OUT