Briggs and Stratton Push Mower Coil Troubleshooting and Repair

If you're experiencing issues with your Briggs and Stratton push mower, a faulty coil might be the culprit. The coil is responsible for generating a spark to ignite the fuel in the engine.

A weak or worn-out coil can cause the engine to misfire, resulting in a rough or uneven running engine. In some cases, the engine may not start at all.

The most common symptom of a faulty coil is a weak or intermittent spark. This can be checked using a spark tester, which can be purchased at most hardware stores.

If the spark is weak or nonexistent, it's likely that the coil needs to be replaced.

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The Briggs and Stratton push mower coil is a crucial component that generates the necessary spark for ignition in small engines. It converts electrical energy into high-voltage pulses, ensuring reliable engine start-up and optimal performance during operation.

The coil is probably the easiest thing to check when troubleshooting ignition system issues, making it a great place to start when your mower isn't running smoothly.

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To test the coil, you'll need a spark tester, which can be clipped to the ignition cable and grounded to the cylinder head. Rotate the flywheel rapidly using the recoil or electric starter, and watch for spark in the tester window.

If the spark jumps the tester gap, your ignition coil is working fine. If not, it needs to be replaced, especially if the engine dies while running.

The Briggs And Stratton Coil-Ignition is designed to withstand varying environmental conditions, making it essential for maintaining efficient fuel combustion and overall engine function.

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Testing the ignition coil in your Briggs and Stratton push mower is a relatively simple process, and it's a great place to start when troubleshooting ignition system issues.

The ignition coil is probably the easiest thing to check, so it's a good idea to start there.

To test the coil, you'll need a spark tester. Clip one end of the spark tester to the ignition cable and the other end grounded to the cylinder head.

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Rotate the flywheel rapidly using the recoil or electric starter, and watch for spark in the tester window. If the spark jumps the tester gap, your ignition coil is working fine.

If the engine quits while running, ignition coil failure is possible. Testing for spark at this time may show an ignition coil failure.

To avoid common mistakes when testing coils, make sure to unhook the coil from both the equipment wiring harness and the engine's wiring harness. Use the spark tester and ensure the coil grounding/kill wire is not rubbed through or pinched and shorting out against a piece of sheet metal.

When attaching the spark tester, be sure to attach the coil wire to the tester, and the tester to ground. Do not attach the tester to the spark plug for this test, as the engine may start. Without the grounding lead installed, you won't be able to turn it off.

Here are some steps to follow when testing the ignition coil:

Replacing the Briggs and Stratton push mower coil requires some precision. You'll need to set the armature gap to the correct distance from the flywheel, which is usually between .006 - .010" and .010 - .014" depending on your engine model.

To do this, remove the blower housing and disconnect the battery ground first, then the ignition coil wire. The armature gap can be set using a thick piece of paper that comes with the new coil. Attach the replacement coil loosely using the mounting screws and push it away from the flywheel.

You'll need to place a shim between the rim of the flywheel and the ignition armature, then turn the flywheel until the magnets are directly adjacent to the armature. Loosen the tight screw so the magnets pull the ignition armature against the flywheel and shim.

Replacing and upgrading your ignition system can be a bit overwhelming, especially with the various types of systems available.

Solid-state systems are the more modern option, using a tiny transistor in the coil or armature to close the electrical circuit that travels through the spark plug lead to the spark plug(s).

There are two main types of ignition systems: solid-state and breaker point systems. Breaker point systems, on the other hand, use a mechanical switch instead of a transistor to close the electrical circuit used to produce a spark.

Breaker point systems were commonly used on engines made before 1980.

Here's a quick rundown of the two types of systems:

Replacing coils or armatures is a crucial part of maintaining your small engine. You'll need to set the correct gap for your engine, which can be found in your repair manual or by contacting your local dealer. Common armature gap ranges are .006 - .010" and .010 - .014".

To replace the ignition coil or armature, start by removing the blower housing and disconnecting the battery ground. Then, disconnect the ignition coil wire and secure it away from the spark plug. Remove the old ignition coil (armature) mounting screws.

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You'll need to disconnect the stop switch wire from the flywheel brake or other stop switch and remove the coil/armature. Attach a replacement ignition coil/armature loosely using mounting screws. Push the coil (armature) away from the flywheel and tighten one screw.

The correct placement of the ignition system is crucial, as it coordinates the timing so that the spark will ignite the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber just as it reaches maximum compression in each engine cycle. To achieve this, turn the flywheel so the magnets are on the opposite side from the ignition coil (armature).

You'll need to place an appropriate shim between the rim of the flywheel and the ignition armature. While holding the shim, turn the flywheel until the magnets are directly adjacent to the armature. Loosen the tight screw so the magnets pull the ignition armature against the flywheel and shim, then tighten both mounting screws and rotate the flywheel until the shim slips free.

Here's a summary of the steps to replace the ignition coil or armature:

Briggs and Stratton push mower coils are a bit mysterious when it comes to published specs.

Briggs are coy about publishing their coil values, which makes it hard to compare different models or diagnose issues.

The company relies on a simple test to ensure the coil produces a strong enough spark to jump a given gap in free air, which is then strong enough to jump a smaller gap under compression.

This approach may not provide all the answers, but it's a good starting point for understanding what to look for in a Briggs and Stratton push mower coil.

Briggs Ignition coils don't publish their specs. They rely on a simple test to determine if the coil will produce a spark strong enough to jump a given gap in free air, which would then be strong enough to jump a smaller gap under compression.

The Briggs And Stratton Coil-Ignition (Part No. 593856) is designed to generate the necessary spark for ignition in small engines. This coil converts electrical energy into high-voltage pulses, ensuring reliable engine start-up and optimal performance during operation.

BRIGGS & STRATTON equipment and parts are engineered with precision, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.

If you're dealing with a Briggs & Stratton engine between 3-6HP, you'll be happy to know that the process for replacing the ignition coil is relatively straightforward.

The tools and parts required for the job are minimal, including a Phillips Head Screwdriver, a Socket Wrench with 10mm and 8mm sockets, and a Wire Brush (optional).

Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

If there's still no spark after reinstallation, it's likely that the ignition coil needs replacing.

The Briggs and Stratton push mower coil is a crucial component that generates the spark needed to ignite the air/fuel mixture in your small engine.

The ignition system is responsible for producing a spark inside the combustion chamber, and the correct placement of the ignition system ensures that the spark ignites the air-fuel mixture at the right moment.

In most Briggs & Stratton engines between 3-6HP, the ignition coil is relatively easy to check and troubleshoot.

To test the ignition coil, you'll need a Phillips Head Screwdriver, a Socket Wrench with 10mm and 8mm sockets, and a Wire Brush (optional).

Here are the tools and parts required to test the ignition coil:

The ignition coil should be in close enough proximity to the flywheel to function properly. If it's not, you may need to adjust its position.