QuestionBack in 2010 you answered a question on a no spark situation on the above craftsman. I have the same problem. I have replaced the magneto twice now and think I have a stray voltage problem. The first magneto ran for about a month and this one just a few minutes. I get no spark with or without the kill wire connected. I am going to check the switch and other connections today. My question is this: what should the resistance readings be on the coil? I hate to drop the $ for another when the ones I have may be good.
AnswerLow ohms on the primary, 1-2k, and higher ohms on the secondary, 8-15K.
If you have no spark with the small wire dis-connected from the coil then it's a 99.9% probability the coil is bad.
Do you have voltmeter to see if there is any DC voltage reaching the igntion coil?
It's possible you have had bad luck with coils but it's very rare to have 2 go bad.
As you know the coils are expensive. Have you considered replacing the ignition key switch as well? These are usually less than $15 but on the same token they do fail very often.
Let me know if you find voltage on the small coil wire.
You can go to Briggs website and look up "engine replacement" or "alternator wiring" and there is a link that will tell you have to check your key switch.
Eric
