OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Briggs & Stratton Engines Rover with Suzuki engine - no spark

hi there, I wanted to find out what steps I should follow to isolate/fix a no spark problem on a Rover fitted with a suzuki engine. thanks all

the model of the mower is a 2122

Have you checked for spark with spark plug removed, holding the high tension wire close to a grounded metal part of the mower, with the controls in the start position? (If you prefer, connect a good spark plug to the HT wire and ground the body of the spark plug.) If you have done this, and found there is no spark when you spin the engine, then there is a magneto problem. There are three areas to check next: that the high tension lead is in good condition (not broken or grounded); that the magneto is the correct distance (0.5 mm) from the outside of the flywheel; and that the kill switch and its wire are not grounded. To make that third check, if possible disconnect the kill wire from the kill switch, and ensure that there is no point along that wire where it has cut through its insulation and become grounded. There are only two wires coming out of the magneto: the high tension lead to the spark plug, and the kill wire.

If the kill wire is not becoming grounded (either due to a defective kill switch or a fault in the wire's insulation), the HT lead is OK, and the magneto is the correct distance from the flywheel, it looks as if your ignition module is misbehaving.

thanks grumpy, the control is in the start position, grounded the plug, no spark. inspected the HT lead, no signs of damage. the magneto was too close to the flywheel and redjusted to the suggested .5mm - retested still no spark. with regards to the kill switch - is it the black wire or the yellow wire. I am guessing the kill wire is the black one as it will be grounded when the throttle is moved to the off position right ? the yellow wire is screwed into the top of the magneto.

when you say the ignition module is misbehaving - is that the same as the magneto ? if so, i am assuming that this is something I will need to replace as it is not repairable ?

thanks

here is a pic of the ignition coil

Yes, the black wire is the kill wire. You need to be sure it is not accidentally grounded anywhere, including at the switch. If that is the case, there seems to be a fault in the module. The term magneto includes the magnet in the flywheel.

Most of the mowers around have either Briggs & Stratton or Victa engines, so parts for them practically grow on trees, or at least on nearby nature strips. Your Suzuki is likely to be in a different situation, though. A replacement may be relatively expensive (compared with nature strip harvesting, at least). It might be worthwhile seeing if your local mower dealer can test it for a nominal fee.

It contains two transistors, a normal ignition-type coil, and not much else. However it seems to be encapsulated, so I don't think there is much that can be done about repairing it. Do be sure the ground wire (yellow) is making contact, though. My preferred approach in this situation if I can't get a free test on the suspect component is to try to borrow a replacement and see if it does the trick.

your right about that- problem is were am i going to borrow one from....

tried everything again tonight and managed to get a spark without the kill wire connected. she fired up but would not accelerate without the choke on. I will take off the carby to inspect/clean. I'll start another post on the carby cos i need a bit of help there as well. thanks for your help grumpy, it is satisfying to see it going again after sooo many yrs.

That's good to hear, Anthony. You will need to tidy up the wire or switch, whichever is defective, so it works properly and reliably. I'll close this thread.