Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman Tecumseh ignition failure, briggs and stratton, hp engine

Question
I have a Craftsman self propelled Tecumseh 6.5 hp engine lawnmower, model 944.369290. Recently the mower became extremely hard to start. I checked for spark and found an intermittent weak blue one. Ordered a new Solid State Ignition from Sears, part # 34443B. Received the new one, but part was # 34443C Installed with recommended pole piece gap and it fired right up first try. Got  half the lawn doen and it died. No spark. Ordered another (still waiting to see if they'll take the first one back). Set gap, checked for spark...none!. The cut-off switch is working fine but disconnected the lead to double check, with no luck. Is there a problem with these ignitions? I seriously doubt that Sears will take back two dud ignitions without some back-up from the experts!

Thanks,

John

Answer
Hello John:

I have Purchase Parts for More than 25yrs. All Parts have Problems. I have Gotten Up to 5 Bad Coils and had to Eat the Cost on 3 of them. People Wonder why the Cost is So High to Repair Lawn Equipment. You have Hit a Major Reason. I Don't Put Down Any of the OEMs. They Do the Best they can and they Strive for Perfection. But All the OEM have Problems with Parts Being Bad and at Times it Seems to be in Groups or Lots that are Bad. Call Sears and Explain to them the Problem. They May Be Understanding and Assist you Further. I have Looked at the Breakdown/IPL and there is No Cause for the Coils to go Bad that Quickly if you have the Proper Gap. I Gap the Coils at .020in. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

Hello Again John:

The Tecumseh OEM Says .010in but I have Found that .02.in Works Better for All the Engines, be it a Tecumseh, Briggs and Stratton or Any Other Mower Engine. I Forgot to Give you 2 Site Addys Pertaining to Tecumseh Engines. They May be of Interest and Assist you Also. They are PDF Sites. 1- http://www.tecumsehpower.com/CustomerService/BSI.pdf and 2- http://www.cpdonline.com/692509.pdf Hope this Helps.  Thanks for the Good Words. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John