My 12HP Techumseh Craftsman rider quit on me today. Fuel is getting to the carb, and starting spray doesn't help. I found the spark plug wire loose so reattached it but it didn't help. I checked the spark and it is extremely weak, almost non-existent. So I am guessing the ignition module.

Does my reasoning sound right? any other tests I should run?

Thanks

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Ignition module? What ever happened to a basic magneto on the motor?

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

It uses this:

http://www.smallenginesuppliers.com/shop/agora.cgi?cart_id=2380620.3138*3_4T56&p_id=05001&xm=on&ppinc=big

Electronic ignition

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

$37 is not bad......can't really complain I guess.

Sounds like you should get a diesel mower!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

check your kill switch aka deadmans switch. Its a very, very common failure point.

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

Also check the flywheel key.

I don't think it is the interlock. I have the schematic, and I have some experience with that. The spark is extremely weak and yellow. I think it is an odd coincidence that the plug wire was disconnected also. I am wondering if running it with the plug wire disconnected might have fried something. Anyway, I have ordered another coil/module/wire so hopefully I will get that by the weekend. Pushing the 6HP Briggs is too much exercise!

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

disconnect the wire on the coil that is used to shut it off, if spark is still weak remove the coil and put it in the oven on about 150 for 30 mins. reinstall, set the air gap properly and see if theres any improvement. i have to do this to my lawn boys every so often

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

How did you figure that out? That is crazy enough I will try it if I have the time (and the other one doesn't show up in time).

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

just got to thinking about it and thought maybe it may be full of moisture. sure enough

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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

I got a coil on Ebay for a good price. Put it in and mowing again! I did cook the old one but didn't bother trying it. It had been nice and hot before it quit, so I doubted the moisture theory.

__________________
1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra