Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): please help, jumper wires, throttle lever

Question
QUESTION: hello erik i got a question about mower it won't crank i checked compression it's good put fuel in carb won't crank the starter spins flywheel i thought it had spark i put tester on plug lead and spark plug in engine it had spark but i took plug out and put it against metal it won't shock i even put finger on end and nothing but it u touch metal with another finger it shocks little.my mower is johndeere gx75 with kawasaki fc290v motor. also can u tell me what size of wire u use to make jumper wires.thanks
ANSWER: Have you replaced the spark plug?  Is the fuel less than 30 days old?

Are you trying to make test lead jumper wires or automotive battery jumper wires?
Let me know.
Eric

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QUESTION: i put new spark plug they tell me it is igniter but there is no way of testing i unpluged it and tried but no spark.i hate to buy part and that is not it then have to buy coil most places won't take electrical parts back.on the leads im trying to make both.
ANSWER: I have seen some igniters fail.  Does the mower have a shut-off lever or do you shut the engine off with the throttle lever?
Do any of the shops in you local area carry used parts?  Many times we will sell used parts and let the customer return them if it doesn't fix the problem.
Let me know.
Eric

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QUESTION: i turn the engine off with key switch.how do u test to see if the wire is got juice from the wiring harness and the little lead that goes from igniter to coil.
ANSWER: This is a rider...have you checked all the safety switches? Starting at the key switch, follow each wire to each saftey switch.  Unplug and re-connect each connection.  You should find at least 3 safety switches.

In addition you should find wire going to the engine.  Specifically the alternator, usually 2 or more wires, and you should find a wire that shuts off the engine.

Have you removed any engine parts to expose the ignition coil?  If so, trace the wires from the coil back to the key switch.  Let me know how many wires run from the coil to the main engine harness.
Eric

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QUESTION: hello again on the coil there is a terminal and one wire runs from this to harness where it is plugged to igniter.

Answer
How many wires are on the igniter?  Almost every ignition system shut off the engine by grounding the coil, or in your case it must ground the igniter or remove power from it.

How many wires run from the igniter to the key switch?  Do you have a voltmeter?
Let me know.
Eric