Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawnmower repair, lawn mower, spark plug

Question
sears lawnmower model#917.382781 about 8 years old. I do not think I am getting any spark. Replaced spark plug and solid state ignition assy., (set gap at .030).  I also cleaned out old gas and put new gas in.  But lawn mower will not start.  Help!

Answer
Disconnect the small wire connected to the coil and check for spark.

The small wire is the engine cut off wire.  If the shut off switch is broke, you will not have spark.  Dis-connecting the small wire from the coil isolates the coil from the switch.

Let me know what happens.
Eric