I have an older briggs horizontal shaft engine that won't start, seems it has no spark?

Question

I have an older briggs horizontal shaft engine that won't start, seems it has no spark, I have worked on alot of small engines. When I turn it over and hold the wire it gives me a shock, but no spark from the plug, so I took a good plug and tried it again and still no spark. I put a volt meter on the plug wire while turning it over and it only gave me a few volts DC. I think it should give more voltage than that, so is it probably a weak magneto or coil/points, I'm not much on that part.

Answer 1

either coil, points or both. they should come together in a repair packet, so replace them and u should be in great shape.
good luck

Answer 2

Chances are it is the points, assuming it is old enough to have them. You can replace the coil on the old briggs with a newer ignition module and that does away with the points. It is a better system and there is no maintenance. All of the modules are the same so you can use a module from an old mower engine. They are a bit pricey new. With the point system there is a small fiber rod about 1/8" in dia. that runs on the crankshaft and move the points. This should be replaced also if your going to keep the points. It can be hard to remove sometimes due to crud buildup in the hole. If it is worn it will be hard to get the points set correctly. Just an added thought. When checking for spark it is sometimes difficult to do. I bought an inline spark tester from Harbor Freight. You leave the plug in the hole and hook the tester to the wire in line. No more trying to ground the plug to the engine. You can even see it in daylight. $2.00.

Answer 3

You have rust built up on your flywheel and magneto. Remove the flywheel...clean it with a wire brush esp. the magnets. wirebrush the magneto. (When the flywheel rotates and passes the magneto this creates electricy.)If dirt..rust is there little or none is producted. Since you have the flywheel off now is a good time to clean or replace the points and condensor. When you reinstall the flywheel make sure you install a new keyway (comes with a new points kit) The key sets the timing. I promise you will have a nice HOT spark.

Answer 4

I can practically guarantee that being an older Briggs, if it still has points and condenser that the condenser has gone bad, pick up a new point and condenser set and it will start.
Out of 40 plus years working on small engines I have yet to see a Briggs coil fail.

Answer 5

ya id say its your magneto for sure but go ahead and change the points while your it! Hows the plug wire? It may be leaking too!!