I have an old 70's craftsman wood chipper that won't start. It doesn't seem to have any spark. I replaced the spark plug, still won't start. Any ideas?
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Check to see if the coil/magneto has continuity. Some on Google should be some typical coil values for resistance. Does it have a kill switch? Make that's working right. It can be very hard to see the spark.

The magneto looks pretty rusty. Lightly buffing it with a fine grit emery cloth and replacing the condenser may help. Did you ground the plug to the head before checking the spark? The previous poster is right, sometimes the spark is hard to see, especially on bright days. Do you have a brother in law or maybe your mother in law that will hold the plug while you check for spark? Good Luck!

I will come over and fix it for you for free on one condition...

If, once we get it running...you put Gerry in it.

Have you cleaned the carburetor?

did you clean Wrote:
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> Have you cleaned the carburetor?


Not a bad idea generally but carbs don't make spark.

See if it runs on carb cleaner. If it does its a fuel clog.

Gerrymanderer2 Wrote:
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> See if it runs on carb cleaner. If it does its a
> fuel clog.


Do you stupid fuckers understand what no spark means?

Sparkyyy Wrote:
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> Gerrymanderer2 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > See if it runs on carb cleaner. If it does its
> a
> > fuel clog.
>
>
> Do you stupid fuckers understand what no spark
> means?


What?

The poster means that electrical problems with magnetos are rare. My problem is always clogged jets since fuel filters don't seen to filter what they should. Or bad fuel.

"hard to start doesn't run"

"Air Spark Fuel. it is always one of the three (3)"

check air is not blocked (filter) or leaking from manifolds (high vacuum pressure hissing - try spraying carb cleaner on manifold areas)

check a spark jumps through to the sparkplug when engine is pulled (remove to see)

fuel ... make sure it delivers fuel (smell it when starting), it needs 15/1 air/fuel ..., read internet on carbuerators if it gets down to "it goes in dont come out"

yes idea for spark

get Spray9*, spray it all down good, hose off, let dry. especiall the top** area

check or replace wired going from the generator (** where you pull/part that you see spin on top) to the plug - is where the magnets/wires/coils are for that

it's UNLIKELY the generator is bad. more likely you have "a loose or missing ground / wire" ***

(it's the best automotive engine cleaner, safe for interior and also the finest bathroom cleaner. dont get simplegreen i'm not discussing why not.)

(unless someone disassembled the motor, assembled it wrong, and gave it away ... but before you found that out - youd throw it away - because your time and space isn't worth that peice of crap in the photo. rent one!!!)

oops - you said no spark - so enging assembly is likely not an issue

you can't afford to fix the generator (which are seldom bad) and could not find parts if you tried (you could if they were still sold, but sears stopped carrying them / selling them)

> check continuity on coil

permanent magnets are rare to go bad - they are (were) over-specified, corrosion makes no difference at all

corrosion "on coils" wont make them go bad (maybe being stored outdoors might give them severe corrosion / burned through you might get 0 ohm). they aren't "hot" or used enough to cause "inner wire fatigue" they dont go bad from use. likely here only is if enamel came off copper and shorted (though they were likely dipped in epoxy - so that's just impossible)

the wiring to and from coil is susect moreso than the coil - so if you check coil double check your not checkign it wrong

let's assume your not doing this as a hobby

your first job is the time/money sheet. that chipper isn't worth the time space or money to repair, after ohming the coil, your already "too far into it" and should junk it on the grounds "is a total loss - cost/time to repair is too much compared to value of unit"

your County likely has "free mulch" and mulch (they spent in part your money to buy huge chippers which mostly benefit area contractors) - you really dont need a chipper at the home, and they can be dangerous to use (eyes, ears, inhaled spores from old wood, more)

answer again: junk it

if you DO get the spark happening: it may (rather likely) has a bad carbeurator that needs to be rebuilt - if so you'll be way far "into the hole"

Well that's just retarded. Look at the picture. How could this be anything other than a hobby/project? Stow the pseudo-MBA bullshit.