OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Repairs and Maintenance Questions on Engines Questions On Victa Two Stroke Engines VICTA 1980 2-STROKE LAWN MOWER: NO SPARK

Can anyone help me please! I am restoring my Grandfather's old Victa 2-stroke. I have replaced everything so far on it but can't get it to fire. When I remove the spark plug and pull the start cord I get no spark when held against engine. When I hold the plug and touch metal and pull cord I get zapped! It seems the spark is not strong enough to jump to metal.

Can anyone suggest what the issue is here?
Wiring? Earth? I have tried everything.

Many thanks if you can help me

How hard does it zap you,if it is a decent zap I think it would be ok,, these coils seem to either work or they don't. Tried another plug? My money would be on carby problem

I have had this before, usually if I clean and gap the points plus replacing the coil lead I get a spark at the plug. You don't say what mower it is?

Hi- it is a VICTA Cortina

When you say gap the points what do you mean? the coil has two terminals- one connects to a small silver box and the carburettor, the other goes to earth and the kill switch

jc

not really a huge zap but enough to give you a jump

There is no points on these, I'm guessing the spark would be good enough, pull the plug cap off and try the lead up close to the engine fins without the plug and see what sort of spark you get. Screwing the screw into the plug lead a bit can make the spark stronger because the wire can have corrosion on it

A picture would be very helpful, it could be a few things. Even the cap and screw as NormK says, I had a Powertorque with a bad cap last week.

I took the plug out and placed wire up against fins of engine- no spark, although I do get zapped when I hold it and grab metal and pull the cord. I m assuming there is spark obviously because I'm feeling it, although not strong enough to junp across to metal?

Thoughts?

ps thanks for your help

LRT went through this last week, he bought 3 coils and none seemed to work. He brought them over and I was able to show him that they all worked fine. Take the coil off and clean where it mounts, but the fact it has spark means I'm doubtful this is the problem

ok- sounds good- but why wont if fire when i put some petrol in barrell and pull the cord? even for a few seconds?

Tried starter fluid?

yes- to no avail either

here is a photo of my wiring- did I do it correctly?

Have you tested the decomp valve to make sure it works and was it connected when you were attempting to start it?. I will need to check the wiring on one here to see if it is correct, but I think it is

Ok- thanks- how do i check the decomp valve please?

ps- it was definetely connected, but unsure how to check it

Take it off, put a bit of plastic hose on it and suck on it and it should close. Also put an old spark plug in the decomp hole and see what sort of compression it has

OK- the decomp unit closes when I provide suction to it

Any other suggestions I can try?

thanks

That's a full crank Corvette not a Cortina, yes no points.

is the wiring correct please?

I think your wires are back the front on the coil

just a thought...

To me it looks like an ignitor system. If so then the ignitor if connected backwards the system will still spark; just out of time as would triggering on the wrong pulse from the flywheel.

Here old points systems used positive ground and the newer versions use negative ground. The polarity of the flywheel magnets determined which way ignitor has to setup.

Ok- so what do I do to reverse it? change the leads around to the opposite side?

Thanks for your help here

Ok- so what do I do to reverse it? change the leads around to the opposite side?

Thanks for your help here

The wire from the module goes to the far side terminal on the coil

The other thing to try, is pulling the earthing pin out of the carby, to disconnect the cutout switch.
These crude switches are notably trouble-prone, so it's best to eliminate that as a cause.

"These crude switches are notably trouble-prone," Gadge would that not be the understatement of the year, I would be more likely to call it an abomination

ok thanks all

I will try these suggestions tonight when i get home and let you know how it goes

Hi Crowster36,

As Norm has said, I have spent countless hours trying to get a strong enough spark to jump the spark plug gap.

For your interest, here is the link to the thread detailing the diagnosis that may be helpful:

Identify Victa Pro 550