kohler engine igniition unit question

Mark Leininger · 2004-07-11T18:00:50+00:00

I have a craftsman lawn tractor with an 18HP Kohler twin, model M18S. Twice now it has failed to start due to no spark. By the time I fiddle with ignition switch and safety switch to see if something is not making contact, it mysteriously starts. I would say in my experience with other small engines the spark intensity looks weak.My question is about the ignition unit. Does anyone know if these are prone to this type of intermittent failure as they get older (13 years)? Is there some way to diagnose this other than stick a screwdriver in the sparkplug wire to see if there's a visible spark? I hate to drop a bundle on this module if it's not the problem.If there's a better forum that specializes in small engine repair please let me know, but I saw a fair number of posts on mower engines on these groups.thanks

Jul 11, 2004 21 Replies

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Mark Leininger 22 years ago

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Chip Stein 22 years ago

spark is spark, if testing in free air color doesn't mean much. the various things found in air can affect spark color, an under pressure spark tester will tell you a lot more. just because you have spark doesn't mean you have it under compression. Chip

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