Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda 5013, brushhog, arinet

Question
QUESTION: The machine ran fine and started right up even badly out of tune. Had it tuned and made ready to use at a local mower shop after which it ran even smoother.   All of a sudden it won't start. Plenty of fuel mix shows with plug removal and cranking. However the spark seems intermittent. It seems to spark at first crank, then the spark seems to disappear upon continued cranking. Changed the plug,only to get the same thing.  What do you think? Thanks Garry

ANSWER: Hello Garry:

Send me the Model and Type or Spec Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. From your Description, it Sounds like the Ign Coil/Ign Module May be Bad and Causing the Intermitent Spark. If this Engine is on a Riding Mower, it can Also be a Safety Switch. Send me the Model Numbers Off the Unit, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of the Mower/Engine at this Site Addy, http://hayward.arinet.com/scripts/EmpartISAPI.dll?MF&app=ASP&lang=EN&TF=Mainfram and Select the Catalog American Honda. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your reply.  It's a model H5013 with the frame  serial # of FAH1100247. The unit has a brushhog attached to it. I somehow suspect a switch as the unit cranks without the clutch depressed which I didn't think it did before. I may be wrong though. I hadn't spent any time on it yet. Thanks again. Garry

ANSWER: Hello Again Garry:

I May have Worded my Response Wrong. I was Asking what was the Rest of the Model Numbers. H5013 A2/A, H5013 A2/B, ect. If the Engine is Cranking Without the Clutch being Depressed, then you have a Bad Safety Switch. The Clutch, Transmission Neutral (on Some Models) and the Blade Engagement Safetys have to be Engaged for the Engine to Crank. If the Clutch is Released or the Blades Engaged and the Engine Cranks, then it is a Sign that a Safety Switch is Bad. I Suggest you Jumper the Safety Switches and Eleminate them from the Possible Causes. You can View the Safety Switches at the Site Addy I Provided. Simply Select American Honda and then Select Multipurpose Tractor File. The Scroll to your Tractor. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: John, I may be a duffus, but I can't seem to locate any safety switches on the machine or in the parts breakdown. Aside from a basic wire harness diagram I see nothing. What am I looking for? What do they look like?  I looked at the clutch assm. and I don't see any wires anywhere near any of the mechanisms. Please give me another try, Thanks Garry

Answer
Hi Garry:

No Worries. Wow. I Just Looked at the Breakdown and I See What you Mean. The Harness Breakdown is No Help At All. Sorry. Usually the Breakdowns are Better than this One. This Model Uses a Neutral Safety Switch Instead of the Clutch Safety. The Neutral Safety Switch (#27) is Shown in the Transmission Breakdown. The Seat Safety (#2) is Shown in the Seat Breakdown. Look in the Pedal Breakdown to See the Parking Brake Safety Switch (#5). One Other Possible Cause is the Flywheel Key is Damaged and Causing the Plug to Fire Out of Time. The Coil Pulser can Also be Going Bad. Usually this is the Problem and Not the Coil if the Safety Switches are Good. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John