How to Test A Lawn Mower - Ignition Coil Magneto With A Multimeter

[@pumpkinpeanut1]

Excellent demonstration! Thank you for being so specific. I'm glad that you used defective coils to compare them to the good coils.

[@hansolo2945]

Thanks from Texas! I bought a cheap Amazon coil and it only lasted about a year. I bought another cheap Amazon coil because they are about 1/4 the price of an OEM coil, and since they only take about 20 minutes to switch out, I'll take my chances again. Its great to be able to test these coils and KNOW if they work or not! For those who don't own a set of gap spacers, a regular business card works just as well to set the gap from the engine.

[@themowerman]

Great comment ta for watching

[@MarkHansen-o6c]

So this test is the test basically for all coils mine is on a 12.5 Kohler very informative & many thanks perfect timing discovered no spark yesterday ! Will proceed with mounted coil of course saves work leaving installed if good coil ! 👍

[@madeiraboy51]

Thank you. Brought back an old machine back to productive life.

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@hughkiddin1140]

Thanks for the straight forward no BS explanation. Now I'm off to fix my pressure washer. Cheers ! from Canada's Westcoast

[@themowerman]

Your welcome..

[@butler386]

I must have missed this video at first. Ah, we lost the internet for a day or so because of a lightning strike that took out out wifi modem, phone system and tv. Anyway I found this electrifying video this afternoon. Great way to test these coils. I never knew that. Thanks for the great information. Thanks for sharing the video with us. Stay safe.

[@ZippoVarga]

I call Foul! lol Why? Well....you're MY Sub! But....I digress....at least you pick good blokes to watch, so I'll give you a pass my good friend lol. Cheers!! Zip~

[@butler386]

@@ZippoVarga Not sure why the call of foul so that messes with my little mind. I now shall have to sit on the floor and cross my legs and think OOOHHHMMM,

[@antpat6160]

This saved me ..I had a very intermittent starting issue this season on my 21 year old Toro CCR2450 snow thrower where 80% of the time it would start and run great. When I tried to troubleshoot it twice of course it ran great and the spark looked ok. Then I tested the magneto (Briggs) and it had 1k ohms resistance ... not 2.5k. I replaced the magneto and all is well again. Thank you so much!

[@themowerman]

You are very welcome my friend.. that's what the video is for..

[@mrt9178]

Excellent video. I am not the brightest bulb, but this video was really easy to understand. Thank you Mick.

[@themowerman]

No worries

[@jimbojonesshow]

Very good channel with great video. I have tested coils like this for years. Sometimes a coil will test good and then not work when it gets hot from the engine heat. If you have a coil that has a heat up problem you can take a bit of tractor trailer repair tape and wrap it around the coil body. This acts as a heat barrier and heat sink. The tape is aluminum on one side and black sticky tar on the other. Just cut a small piece and place it on the outer plastic body of the coil. This will keep the coil ast a constant temp. I believe the coil wires inside have thin or cracked insulation coating. The wire looks like it is bare but actualy has a coil of polymer. This polymer will crack and get hard over time. Then the coil voltage is affected. On hot days my tiller will stop running. The coil tests great when on the bench. After about 10 minutes of running it stops with no spark. The coil is directly over top the piston head and cooling fins. The heat rises and the coil starts to short internaly. I put the trailer repair tape on the bottom and wrapped it around to the top. The metal part of the coil does not get tape. I installed the coil and it has been working now for 5 seasons. Hope this fix can help someone with a similar problem.. Cheers!

[@themowerman]

Ta for the information mate I appreciate it

[@gergemall]

Thanks from St. Louis, Missouri... SUPER HELPFUL

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@greenidguy9292]

Thank you my friend, your video was very helpful.

[@themowerman]

@@greenidguy9292 you are welcome

[@davidruiz5383]

Amazing instructor, you simplify the test of a coil. Thank You and God Bless.

[@themowerman]

You are welcome

[@ronniebarker79]

Went to a screw fix to pick up a multi meter not so much as a purse on that coil Mick enjoyed the live stream was helpful in so many ways and thanks for the question shout sir Mick

[@len4338]

Thanks Mick !! That was easy ! I have been trying to learn about small engines through your channel and a few others and until now haven't seen one on testing coils. Much appreciated

[@themowerman]

Oh your welcome mate hope it helps. If you need any videos doing let me know. I'm looking into doing Mick's top tips

[@peterreeve8663]

Great video Mick. A multimeter is a very useful tool. Use mine all the time. In fact used this morning to prove to my brother in law it was because the battery was flat that my sister’s vehicle wouldn’t start. He swore blind he had a battery charger on it an he had charged it up. Anyway after an hour of charging she started up no problem. Saved them calling a mechanic for a 1 minute test with a cheap multimeter!

[@themowerman]

Yeah that's it.. a quick way to test..

[@louiscapasso4448]

Only coil testing video that I could understand. Thank you Mick.

[@themowerman]

Ta mate

[@Wanjiku82]

I hadn't changed the spark plug kzbin.infoUgkx-6W-PtUzBRTmACHywsECak2ToY2OpjxN in my Toro 20" Recycler in the 6 years I've had it but have been good with all other maintenance. This season I noticed it sputtering a little bit every so often and just didn't feel like it was running as smoothly or as powerful as it used to. Switched out the spark plug for a new one yesterday and could immediately tell an improved difference. So I may have to make this a little more regular than every 6 years, especially for a $5 part!

[@kitcanyon658]

Very straight forward video. Thanks for making it pretty simple and I learned a lot. Cheers...

[@joeortiz3455]

Thank you mick that was a very easily learned well taught lesson ! That was definitely down and dirty!

[@searchDscriptures]

Once all said a very insightful video, thank you

[@TheBeardedBadger]

Thank you for explaining this Mick. Have ordered one right now, takes the guesswork out of it and replacing coils just in case. If you are on a tight budget might save someone that bit of money.

[@themowerman]

Hi mate.. yes exactly.. it's an easy task and saves so much time.. thanks for watching

[@grannysvids]

Very helpful video, my coil was showing 11 so I knew my problems were not with coil, after some cleaning out if the carburettor, I got my mower working. Thanks for the help.

[@themowerman]

Fantastic

[@michaelconnelly1263]

My magneto checked out fine. It's were the 2 contacts that go up against the center wheel were gumed up and not making a contact. Business card with, perfect. Thank you for how to test.

[@themowerman]

Your welcome mate.. glad you got yours sorted

[@freddy1571]

Great and informative, especially if you do not have a workshop manual to show you the ohms specs and limits.Good that you showed the different types of coils too.Cheers.

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@BeADad2447]

Excellent video!

[@HunterGamesReal]

Thanks my grandpa needed this

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@hughezzell10000]

well done. I suggest before throwing out that Honda coil, check the plug end on the plug wire - the end screws onto the wire and sometimes if that's done multiple times, the wire becomes buggered, breaking the contact. The wire also screws into the coil itself - check that end as well. The briggs coils all have the wire manufactured right into the coil itself, but the end can be check on some this way as well.

[@themowerman]

Yeah I did check it.. it's no good ta for watching

[@joeortiz3455]

Thank you mick, that was a clear ,easy to understand, demonstration !

[@carlthetruthwilliams9447]

Best vid out there on the subject... Thank you very much...

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@seyed1231]

Thanks for very good effective and simple test.

[@kevinhendon]

Great test Mick, done it on the old coil from the "OLD" mower this morning and reading was 11.8 on all 3 surfaces, so will send that new coil back. New mower doing great mate & getting used to the "Self Drive" now. Keep up the great work & say hello to Riley Boy 👍👍

[@themowerman]

Fantastic news mate

[@juggernautz]

Thanks, you saved me a lot of time plus mechanics in this area prefer bikes to small engines.

[@themowerman]

No worries

[@Randidly1]

Easy Peesy nice and simple explanation thanks

[@themowerman]

No worries

[@PullerbearEd]

Good video. Very helpful when diagnosing a no start mower.

[@themowerman]

Thanks ed your stickers have just showed up

[@johncollins8304]

Clearest, simplest vido I've seen! Wish I'd seen it a long time ago. New magneto/coil has come with TWO wires; black, and black with white stripe. I suppose the b/w goes ...Well, I suppose nothing, I just ask what do I do?? Anyone?

[@ManosGeorgiadis-l9j]

Excelent explained , Many Thanks for your time !

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@humourless682]

Resistance readings from a coil/CDI unit, will indicate if there is an open circuit, but not whether the insulation or semiconductors are breaking down when running.

[@chrishale2284]

Enjoyed watching this again to remind me . .

[@gregor.potrebujes]

Thank you. Very useful. Straight forward.

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@geoffwilletts4683]

Hi Mick. Thanks for the link to see how to test a coil. My meter is different. What is the setting I'm looking for please?

[@Florida_Blast]

Excelent video this just helped me diagnose a briggs and stratton coil 😏👌

[@themowerman]

Fantastic.. glad it helped

[@anthonygaunt8974]

Great test wish I done that yesterday had the carb out in bits petrol all over me lol ordered coil well done

[@themowerman]

No worries

[@LorenzoBlanco]

Rt on brother thank you I had no clue on how to do it. So I checked my coil out and it’s all good. It must be my spark plug.

[@bamamowersgarage8937]

Awesome video thank you for showing how to check them coils

[@themowerman]

No problems mate

[@fort147]

Thank You for your easy to understand info!

[@themowerman]

You are welcome

[@rikertvonfulton16]

Thank you from Kansas.

[@handjgrimm]

Thanks Man........from Nebraska USA (Found my coil wire is broken in the boot) Also a new coil was bad from the factory.

[@themowerman]

Glad I was able to help ya out

[@smithderf]

You can have good resistance readings on a coil and it can still be bad. This test does not test the condition of the semiconductors within the ignition module. A spark test at pull cord rpm's would be a more accurate test.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

Exactly.... If it don't spark...Change the plug.... if it still don't spark. it's bad. End of story. (But we all love to know WHY!? Don't we?)

[@mickhardie7806]

@@patagualianmostly7437 Not quite my friend. if there is corrosion between the coil body and the engine then you will get no spark and my friend you will have spent out on a coil for nothing. how many coils have you replaced on you're change the plug principal? maybe you were throwing good coils out when you didn't need to? A £10-00 millimetre may have saved you money. Great tutorial as usual Sir Micks

[@swarfs]

Yes, but I think the coils shown were not electronic. I agree, if electronic then you can have a good testing coil on the bench. But I may have an intermittent fault. This can happen after a short run when a component in the electronics intermittently fails .

[@smithderf]

@@swarfs They are electronic. They have a Darlington pair transister within to increase the pulse to higher level.

[@absbse]

Will I see a spark only if the plug is connected to an earth ? Or will I still see it if I just hold the lead with the spark plug connected in my hand

[@ZippoVarga]

Just gave you thumbs up #300 Mate! I've missed a few of your videos, and for that I apologize! I am a bit busy and there are a lot of us small engine guys out there that I try to keep up with. It was great chatting on the LS yesterday. Hope all is well! Cheers Mate! Zip~

[@alandykes2519]

Thanks for sharing that Mick you are a star have got exactly the same multi meter as you have got there 👍👍👍👍

[@themowerman]

Your welcome Alan mate hope it helps

[@BrucesShop]

I am coming back (watching videos again } Nice meter.

[@themowerman]

Thanks me old friend. Was good talking last night

[@richardcole6566]

Great demo . Very well explained

[@themowerman]

Ta mate

[@topconker2909]

Thanks Mick, Great video explaining a how to for coils

[@themowerman]

Your welcome mate

[@jomente]

hello and thank you very much for the video. My AL-KO_470br petrol lawn mower with Briggs&Stratton-625 engine no longer starts. I changed the carburettor and the spark plug but it didn't work. Now I have ordered a new ignition coil and tested the old ignition coil according to your video clip. I set 20k ohms on the multimeter and got values ​​of 10.5 on the magnets. Is this value OK? Then the ignition coil would not be defective, but the distance to the drive shaft was very small and dirty. Best thanks and greetings. Thanks from East-Germany.

[@themowerman]

@@jomente clean the coil and flywheel... And the two posts the coil sits on with sand paper and try again...

[@jomente]

@@themowerman Thank you for the advice. Can I also put the ignition coil in an ultrasonic bath?

[@themowerman]

@@jomente I wouldn't

[@northernmicroplant1095]

first class keep it simple many thanks

[@SCROWMD]

I finally understand. Thanks Mick

[@themowerman]

@@SCROWMD no worries

[@ronparker6489]

Good video Bloke. However, the older Briggs & Stratton coil has three coils inside, plus a couple of transistors that control the direction of the currrent flow in the primary. I.e, there's the high voltage winding that you're checking, but there's also the primary winding plus a trigger winding on that little metal post on the bottom of the coil. No way to check either the primary or the trigger winding, or the transistors, as far as I know. Just something to keep in mind. Cheers!

[@SDsailor7]

I checked the continuity on the coil and all is good but the mower still won't start? Cleaned the spark plug the carb is pumping fuel and it still won't start, so what else could it be? Thank you

[@snakeskinns8192]

Very helpful! Thank you Sir!

[@DavidJackson-ug3fz]

Spot on very well done Mick!!!

[@LewisMowersandBoats]

Great show brother 👏 👍

[@themowerman]

Ta mate

[@themowerman]

22r Mick's mowers

[@luisvasquez7406]

Great example and great explanation brother thank you so much .👍👍👍👍

[@themowerman]

No worries

[@lhcdmc]

Hi Micks, I'm writing from Argentina and working with a Briggs Stratton, model 122T02, 625 Series, 190CC. First, the resistance between high voltage plug and ground terminal is about 10.3 Kohms, that's correct? Second, I don’t understand how stop system works. The coil ground terminal is connected to the coil core, so, when the coil is fixed to the engine frame, the electrical connection is accomplish, despite this, the ground terminal has a cable to a terminal near to stop lever. This terminal also is tied to engine frame. The other end of the lever move a pad to brake the flywheel, in summary, looks like the stop system just consist to brake with a pad the flywheel… that’s would be the operation? Thanks for spend your time with this. Best regards, Gustavo Lehmann.

[@themowerman]

@@lhcdmc no.. does it have a throttle control?

[@lhcdmc]

Yes , It have.

[@themowerman]

So the end of the throttle cable should be connected to the micro switch that controls the spark...

[@kbakeritsallaboutnobody.5761]

Awesome audio. Had no problem hearing you Mick.

[@themowerman]

Fantastic thanks mate

[@williamwaters4506]

I learned something new.

[@alansaville2211]

A nice informative video Mick.

[@themowerman]

Thanks mate just a quick and easy video..

[@Pyridox]

Good information Mick, thanks.

[@themowerman]

Thanks Very much for watching

[@davidyoung6608]

Great video mick.

[@themowerman]

Ta mate

[@garyclifton2180]

Brill class mick iv got to get a tester i like that one you make it look easy cheers...

[@themowerman]

Well I try to make it easy for other to get the job done.. thanks for watching

[@garyclifton2180]

@@themowerman plessure i like that tester to looks ok to use

[@bentwedgestanleybrand5818]

Thanks Mick very good teacher thanks oh, keep up the good work

[@themowerman]

Thanks mate I appreciate your feedback

[@nathanlewis9737]

On the Viking 4rtp mate getting. 10.4 on all three that showing really high or is that a really good coil ?? Cheers

[@bobgreene2892]

Mick, your video solved a problem. My mower showed a small spark at each lanyard pull, but would not start. Early in the video, you reveal a coil can spark, but too weakly to start the engine. QED-- now to find a reasonably-priced ignition coil. * PS-- Your Midlands accent is a killer.

[@themowerman]

Lol Midlands.. I'm south coast lol

[@bobgreene2892]

@@themowerman Sorry-- only a few hundred miles off. Portsmouth?.

[@bernardrother3681]

Maybe I'm wrong, but is the iron core not a single piece ? With the primary and secondary coils wound around the centre part ? Then it stands to reason that with one lead plugged into the spark plug connector and the other lead alternating between the left and right metal pick up above the magneto ... would result in exactly the same readings. You're taking two readings from the same metal core.

[@MCEngineeringInc]

Great tip on checking the coil 👍🏻

[@themowerman]

Ta for watching mate

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Great way to do a quick test on coils Mick. Thanks for sharing. Handy to be able to do this!!! Take care!!

[@themowerman]

Your welcome my friend.. have you got that saw cutting straight yet lol

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@themowerman Working on it buddy!!!

[@benc2722]

Very helpful thanks

[@CarlosAvellanet]

Fine and dandy for simple Ohms readings but if you are doing DC volts or diode testing you put the leads on backwards....

[@Deezarehairy]

Rover mini rider ride on is spluttering and stops when motor gets hot but runs fine before hand I thought it might have been a plug so I replaced it but problem still there. The carburettor has a solenoid i pulled it out and checked it's staying in when powered up. Any suggestions? Can the coil break down when hot.

[@themowerman]

Yeah mate they can ..

[@ernstotto]

Remember 20K Marker ! Thats a note for me , I am german and you speak a little to fast for me. But your video is really helpfull , thank you so much. 🤗

[@themowerman]

No worries

[@melvis2017]

Thanks allot for sharing this with us appreciations 👍🙏🇩🇰

[@themowerman]

Your welcome

[@BensWorkshop]

Cheers Mick. Coils can also fail short circuit as well as open circuit. If they are open circuit it could be the HT lead though they are hard to replace the way they are built.

[@themowerman]

Yes mate they can see and Alos when hot it's part of the process we have to follow to find the fault

[@fixitorstripitGardenmachines]

Now that's a helpful vid, superb cheers mick

[@themowerman]

Welcome mate

[@CortinasAndClassics]

Thanks Mick, very helpful 👍🏻

[@themowerman]

Your welcome.. hope it helps

[@30pvfd]

Simple to point video ty

[@chasefell4234]

Seems like you need to check the primary and the secondary idk. Good video.

[@Letyourimaginationgrowwild]

Hi mike not sure if your red lead should be on the common socket but at the end of the day it’s a lead. Thanks for sharing.

[@themowerman]

I believe it to be correct mate

[@dennispratt3344]

Elo Mick can you answer this one or suggest something!or is it a scrap job ! 196cc loncin lawnmower engine no spark has a new coil & spark plug flywheel key & magnets are good kill switch on & off no spark so it cannot be a short ! if the timing was out there would be still some intermittent spark ! i had this once before on a Briggs & Stratton engine or is there something under the flywheel preventing a spark ? much appreciated

[@themowerman]

Does it have a set of points under the flywheel.. how old is it ?

[@dennispratt3344]

@@themowerman no points or condenser has a ignition module thanks for taking the time to reply !

[@themowerman]

@@dennispratt3344 take the wire off the coil and try to start it .. if it's a no start then it's the coil or plug..

[@dennispratt3344]

@@themowerman its a new coil & plug good readings with ohms old & new

[@michaelthompson4188]

Thanks Mick!

[@themowerman]

You welcome mate

[@MowersNBlowers]

Very good video Mick! Very useful info and well explained

[@boydlaffitte3852]

Great video! Very helpful!! Thank you!!!

[@themowerman]

Your welcome mate

[@kenmoncrieff3044]

Mick, I have a faulty Victa twin mower, twin spark coil, and no new ones are available. How can I now adapt a two pole type twin spark coil to the magneto and still get the timing right, and is that a possibility anyway. The Victa coil has 3 poles to it with the middle pole going thru the centre of the coil. (W type, not a U type) Is that possible? Or maybe you know where some 3 pole coils are still made or can be bought? I

[@themowerman]

Hmmm I don't know mate sorry

[@stevelewis5710]

Hi mick..i have a non starting sovereign im getting no spark and coils giving a 4.46 reading across all points,so iv starting looking at the kill switch. How can i test it ,its not got a "normal" switch its more like a metal plate with an insulator under it and the wire from the coil looks like it goes under it..how can i test it with a multimeter ? The mowers a sovereign xss40a grateful for any help

[@themowerman]

Mate .. take the wire off the coil end.. and test for spark.. if it sparks then it the switch or the switch is not closing.. sometimes bending the arm on the switch to it makes contact helps it

[@stevelewis5710]

@@themowerman thanks mick il try that tomorow weather permittig

[@themowerman]

@@stevelewis5710 cool

[@peskyparttimers8239]

What should the reading be between the kill switch terminal and the iron core of the coil? I haves a Briggs engine on a mower which won't spark but its showing 5k ohms between HT and core, 5k ohms between kill switch terminal and core (which would point to it being a good coil) but 0.7 ohms between core and kill switch terminal?

[@RCGshakenbake]

Same. I wish you would have got an answer. Lol

[@themowerman]

Sounds like a bad coil or bad connection

[@kevinmarchant9665]

I may have heard wrong but did you put the red lead into the com port?

[@joeeager4717]

Hi mick..I have a punch 75g 14 and I'm getting no spark..3.3ohms on the coil. Amy idea what else it could be or is the coil bunched

[@themowerman]

Has it got a set of points?

[@joeeager4717]

@Micks Mowers The Mower Man whats that 😄. Am.i able to send you a picture of what I have

[@themowerman]

@@joeeager4717 yeah email me [e-mail]

[@joeeager4717]

@Micks Mowers The Mower Man hi Mick..I was just looking at a video by Taryl Fixes. I need to get that exact ignition coil..any idea where I would get that..thanks for all your help..

[@themowerman]

@@joeeager4717 I think I sent him that coil?

[@eifiondavies2662]

well explain mick

[@themowerman]

Ta mate

[@SaranganiBob]

Mick, you are saying the red lead goes into the Comms socket. All the other videos I have watched on KZbin use the black lead in the comms socked...would you please explain?

[@edhyde1741]

I thought my coil was bad and bought a new one. Both coils test good per the video. Tried 3 spark plugs, re-gapped the coil several times and not getting a spark. Deadman wire tested good, but it is not connected. Any suggestions?

[@themowerman]

What about the wire from the dead mans switch to the coil.. it may be damaged

[@edhyde1741]

@@themowerman Thanks for the reply. It was actually disconnected to remove it as a problem. I did figure it out. I cleaned the mounting areas between the engine cylinder and the coil and this improved the grounding of the coil. Now I have a strong spark. Aluminum does get a corrosion film on it and so does the steel.

[@themowerman]

@@edhyde1741 good job

[@petefroud5308]

Good information mate .

[@themowerman]

Thanks Peter pan..

[@Tampaboys]

Man I’m working on a briggs flathead welder right now buddy thanks for the knowledge this really helps I’m losing spark so thanks a million

[@xx3868]

The bad ones are bad- Sec side tested. BUT the good ones can STILL be bad as the primary and switching in the modules can fail. really only way to be sure is check for spark when on machine or swap with known good. Also you can have heat breakdown in the windings causing HOT shorting and failure but starts cold well and will start to misfire/fail when hot after running a while. Caused by insulation material burning off inside and wires touching and thus less coil windings for good spark and you MAY still get a weak spark but it wont fire the mixture. or a little bit only. Very messy to diagnose as it seems engine runs well for 20 mins then vapour lock? with fuel starvation or a bad coil cutting out then.

[@themowerman]

Good communication mate