how can we test a strator on a briggs & stratton engine, 16 h.p..1994 vangaurd twin?

Answer 1

Guess we need a little more info, especially to clarify what a STRATOR is? If you're talking about a stator, that's something that's in an electric motor, not a small gas engine. So we still don't know what it is you're trying to test?

Answer 2

You can test for continuity and resistance.
Generally 99% of the time it's a bad internal short and the continuity test will show this. If there is a short the stator is useless.
Resistance is not that important so don't even bother.
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I'm betting though you are not properly grounded to the frame.
Follow the ground wire from the motor, if it has a clip instead of a bolt, cut the clip off and use an eyelet to bolt the ground wire solidly to the frame. Make sure you scrape off any paint or rust and dab a little conductive grease on the contact points.
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I've seen a lot of problems, from no charge to no start because of a bad ground.
It's all because the motors are rubber mounted, as are most of the electrical components.