How To Check For Spark On A Lawn Mower, Chain Saw or Other Engines

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  • Опубликовано: 25 янв 2025

Комментарии • 143

  • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
    @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  4 года назад +6

    Click here for the proper tool---- amzn.to/2zmT9Ht
    Click here for my website--- www.stevessmallenginesaloon.com/
    Click here for my Parts and Tools Store---- www.amazon.com/shop/stevessmallenginesaloon

    • @davidmg1925
      @davidmg1925 2 месяца назад

      why cant he just tell us

  • @randytetterton2345
    @randytetterton2345 2 года назад +2

    I'm not a shade tree mechanic. You helped me save a service call today in our very expensive local chainsaw shop today. I heat with wood. Have not fired saw up in bout a month. Pulled it today and nothing. Watched your video, u said ground plug and pull, I had no spark. Replaced plug, fired right up. Tks dude, its just the simple things in life.

  • @Glupkomatun
    @Glupkomatun Год назад +2

    Spark for check. This man is saved me a bunch of money with his advices... Thank you so much ..big respect sir.

  • @hollowheresy
    @hollowheresy 3 года назад +4

    You’ve taught me about everything I know about small engines Steve! Thank you my neighbor to the north!

  • @shanemclendon6456
    @shanemclendon6456 4 года назад +8

    Love how Steve tries to not roll his eyes at the useless way his customers tested for a spark.. very kind expert for dummies like myself!

  • @THESANCHEZBROWN
    @THESANCHEZBROWN 3 года назад +9

    Excellent sir. Man I really appreciate it. No time wasted and right to the point. I’m a newbie so I just learned something!

  • @naturewatcher7596
    @naturewatcher7596 8 месяцев назад +2

    Is it possible to not have spark after you screwed the good tested spark plug in? Could it be not tight enough to cause no spark? Thank you.

  • @williamwelch7
    @williamwelch7 3 года назад +2

    Thanks again Steve, always a pleasure to have you as a teacher!

  • @MarzNet256
    @MarzNet256 6 месяцев назад +1

    Excellent. If you want electrons to jump the gap, you have to give them somewhere to go (complete the circuit).

  • @tmish969
    @tmish969 4 месяца назад +1

    Haha, I liked that ending, made me hit subscribe…I guess for mine it’s gotta be a carburetor issue. As soon as I hit throttle, it just wants to pretty much cut off. So, I can’t figure if it’s not getting fuel or what makes it choke out.

  • @West1010
    @West1010 3 месяца назад +1

    Makes sense now knowing it has to be grounded to spark. Thank you!

  • @condor5635
    @condor5635 3 года назад +1

    Issue I had is no spark so thought magneto initially. At first it seemed to be bad being that the readings seemed to jump all over the place and seemed intermittent. I then concentrated on the grounding wire between the engine and the magneto that allows the engine to run or not run. This was the issue. Continuity was intermittent just jiggling the wires. Seemed like the harness connector on the magneto end might be the cause (the other end was just a wire wrapped on the connector so i put a proper connector on it). So that was the problem. Started great. Thanks for the tip on checking spark. Make sure you run a wire to the engine from the spark plug when testing like you indicated. Was easy to see spark then. Thanks

  • @timfowler4642
    @timfowler4642 3 года назад +2

    Saved me so much time as I was trying to test with multimeter. Thanks

  • @davidjosleyn9169
    @davidjosleyn9169 3 года назад +2

    Steve, Any way to check the stop switch in the handle?

  • @jordansanger1542
    @jordansanger1542 3 года назад +1

    Hello from Western Australia, you are a bloody legend Steve 🍻

  • @FerociousSniper
    @FerociousSniper 2 года назад +1

    I've replace the scored cylinder and piston in my recently acquired husky 50. I have compression now, but still wont start. Checking this next.

  • @beegekhaos3171
    @beegekhaos3171 Год назад +2

    I love the channel! Been binge watching them back to back. One question I have. For spark plugs. Do they need to be replaced with an exact match? Or are spark plugs kind of 1 size fits all type of thing?

  • @ddsbyday
    @ddsbyday Год назад +1

    Can you use any known good plug to test the spark or does it need to be the required plug to test the coil?

  • @basilistravlos4575
    @basilistravlos4575 4 года назад +4

    Once again, a very useful video for us amateus. Thank you Steve.

  • @vghjndghj
    @vghjndghj 4 года назад +3

    "You have to ground your spark" the sentence that makes my diagnosis soooo wrong. Thank you man

  • @robertodom9145
    @robertodom9145 5 лет назад +2

    Just watched couple of ur videos ,u dont bs people and get right to point new subscriber and thumbs up and middle finger to your haters .keep up great job ,be safe and take care

  • @markahlert9607
    @markahlert9607 8 месяцев назад +1

    thanks Steve for the whole collection

  • @agapitorodriguez414
    @agapitorodriguez414 3 года назад +1

    Awesome video,you wouldn't happen to have for sale a red max bcz 3060 ts, or is there another compatible coil ,been slow ,and new is pretty expensive thanks

  • @inspectorsteve2287
    @inspectorsteve2287 Год назад +1

    Question, on an engine running properly if you take the spark plug out should it be dry or wet (with gas). My engine isn't starting and my spark plug is dry. Does that mean gas isn't getting to it?

  • @JeffJeno1000
    @JeffJeno1000 4 года назад +1

    Great vid as always, one tip I could add when you know you have spark and an old engine won’t start easily to check carb adjustment is to heat the spark plug tip on a gas stove then put it back in the cylinder and I’ve found it’ll usually get it firing. Just something else I’ve found in getting engines salvaged from roadside collections going. But geez what people throw out for a simple wiring or jet problem!
    Love your work Steve. Very generous in your tutorials.

  • @davidschwartz5127
    @davidschwartz5127 3 года назад +3

    Steve, there are 4 things and engine needs to run, Fuel, Ignition, Compression, and AIR!

  • @mackendw
    @mackendw 4 года назад +1

    what about weak spark steve? have an old weedeater that was running poorly and would quit after around 10 mins of use. then almost impossible to start. I put a new carb kit in it thinking it was the fuel metering diaphram. checked the plug as it is dry - ie: why I thought the carb was the issue. when I put the boot on the plug and hold it to the head I cannot visibly see the blue spark when I pull it over but I can feel a very slight tickle when I hold onto the end of the plug when it's on the head. thoughts?? I'm going to remove the coil today and clean the contact surface and the flywheel magnets where it meets the coil as a first step.

  • @davidholland4393
    @davidholland4393 4 года назад +2

    just how many pulls before you realize its not flooded and some thing else?

  • @planetmoving9180
    @planetmoving9180 Год назад +1

    Should i have Any concern with testing spark plug up against the cylinder head while gas air mixture is gonna be coming out of of the nearby spark plug hole.. could this be why they have enclosed spark plug testers?. Any thoughts. Also Some times i use a alligator clip to ground the outside of the plug to the engine. Makes it easier. Plus i zapped myself the other day holding the end of the plug wire. Woke me up.

  • @mikebidus7166
    @mikebidus7166 5 лет назад +5

    Thanks Steve , every little bit helps

  • @brianbronston4150
    @brianbronston4150 7 лет назад +3

    hey steve, i have at stihl 440 and it has a problem of not starting. chainsaw has it days working and sumdays wont turn back on. i clean the carb, rebuild it, clean the air filters, spark plug is new, im getting spark, it just wont come back on....motor turns smoothly. im just about to almost throw it in the woods.... need sum advice thanks...love your videos

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  7 лет назад +2

      Thanks Brian. I have a video comin up shortly that might answer the question. Stay tuned....

  • @IluvYahweh
    @IluvYahweh 2 года назад

    Hey Steve! I have a Echo PB 250 blower. Made in June 2010. I have watched your video and checked my spark plug for continuity (good) and have checked the start/stop switch for continuity (good). Even bought a new Start/Stop Switch. There is no spark coming from the plug when laying on the engine block. Can you help me find the issue (bad coil,etc) ? Or should I give up on a 12 year old blower? Thank you

  • @shelbukowski1443
    @shelbukowski1443 4 года назад +3

    "I check it for spark and it has excellent spark." The look on your face right after you say that :-)

  • @calebpoole5472
    @calebpoole5472 4 года назад +1

    I’ve adjusted the cord to get the full throttle, but the weed trimmer head still doesn’t cut anything that’s thick. Does that mean the cable is bad, or is there something else that typically causes that.

  • @jasonkelly2333
    @jasonkelly2333 2 года назад

    Hey Steve I have great compression and spark but won’t fire. I’ve put fuel into the cylinder and still won’t fire. Any suggestions man.

  • @charlesbowen7009
    @charlesbowen7009 6 лет назад +7

    Is there a test for the coil other than replacing it?

    • @TC-th1ey
      @TC-th1ey 3 года назад +1

      I am a bit late, but a multimeter can be used to check for current.

  • @billbaber6653
    @billbaber6653 Год назад +1

    Thanks for helping dummies like me

  • @ruokeren1919
    @ruokeren1919 3 года назад +1

    Steve
    I'm in Thailand and troubleshooting or diagnostics is not a strong suit here..
    My whipper snipper has spark as evidence when a spark tester light is attached BUT it does not follow through in providing spark to the ground out spark plug.
    3 sparkplugs cannot all be bad..
    Where do I look now ?
    Thanks
    Cut out switch shows continuity on off..
    Any suggestions??

  • @jayjones8424
    @jayjones8424 2 года назад +1

    I have a couple of push mowers that will only attempt to start if I take the grounds off the ignition coil what could be the problem and fix?

  • @gcensing6351
    @gcensing6351 Год назад +1

    Okay, that was very easy, very helpful! But my lawn mower still doesn't run. I have a new spark plug, the ground disconnect wire (?) is fine, and the coil tests fine. When I test the spark plug to ground, there doesn't seem to be much of a spark though, but I was outside in the sunshine. Sometimes it almost starts up on the first two pulls of the day, and then nothing, not even with starter fluid. So I was thinking carburetor, perhaps? But it should at least have sputtered with the starter fluid. So, I'm a little dumbfounded. Also, it sometimes starts up after a couple of days standing, and it might run for one or two hours, then it just refuses to start up again. Anyone any ideas?

  • @edwarddemas5685
    @edwarddemas5685 Год назад +1

    Steve, I have been watching many of your videos. Great job and they are really helpful. I do have a question on using an In Line Spark Tester. The machine is a B&S Pressure Washer w of course a B&S metal carb engine. It will not start. Carb bowl removed and was clean and no blockage in the thread in main jet. Connected an OEM Tool In Line Tester and the spark could not be seen in the daylight but it could at night. It bulb was not fully illuminated but a red flash could be seen. Re-tried the test with a Lisle In Line Spark Tester resulting in same level of bulb illumination at night. Is this type of bulb lighting common on a B&S engine? Should I see bright flashes with a properly gapped coil during the daylight?

  • @pattiannepascual
    @pattiannepascual 3 года назад +1

    thank you so much! I don't have any fancy tool or meter so this was very helpful!

  • @allenhuling598
    @allenhuling598 7 лет назад +7

    Hey Steve - Two questions regarding spark plugs, as I like my Husqvarna saws to run at max potential, without modification. To that end, I have always changed the plugs out to what I believe to be an upgrade (Bosch). First question: Do these better plugs actually make enough of a difference to bother? Second question: Do you recommend changing plugs-out at some regular interval, or just wait until they don't produce spark any more? Thanks!

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  7 лет назад +16

      NGK, Bosch, Champion all high quality plugs. No difference in my opinion for small engines. They're not formula 1 cars! Plug should produce a blue spark. When its yellow or orange, change it....

    • @allenhuling598
      @allenhuling598 7 лет назад +5

      Thanks for that, Steve...have a good weekend!

  • @edwardcaissie1214
    @edwardcaissie1214 4 года назад +1

    How do you know if it has a weak spark?

  • @crypto1633
    @crypto1633 5 лет назад +1

    Hi I’ve got a stihl fs55 with the bike handle and the on of switch aka kill switch I’m not getting any spark I’m thinking it’s the kill switch or coil but having a hard time finding the right parts to order in Canada any suggestions my coil has the 2 wires for kill switch kill switch is a slider switch that pushes down a spring loaded kill switch button it’s not a toggle switch

    • @crypto1633
      @crypto1633 5 лет назад +1

      Update kill switch is working fine, coil had no spark so swapped that out with a genuine coil from stihl, but still won’t start so I checked spark arrestor all is good there it floods so carburetor is working and there is spark but still won’t start I don’t understand why it’s not running it has spark, air and fuel so in theory should run.

  • @privatear2001
    @privatear2001 2 года назад +2

    I had a Husqvarna chainsaw around a 40cc model. It had spark, compression and it would never start. Wasn't the carburetor because I sprayed ether directly into the cylinder. Still wouldn't catch. Unless something happened to the plug whenever it was screwed back in. Never could figure that one out. It sits in storage somewhere. Perhaps I'll have another go at it...

    • @jasonkelly2333
      @jasonkelly2333 2 года назад

      That’s the same issue I have and I’m betting it’s the same saw husqvarna 240 x-torq

  • @stevetorres76
    @stevetorres76 3 года назад +1

    Steve… I wish you were my neighbor. I’d be bringing you lot’s of free beer for help with my yard equipment. Lol

  • @MrNick-
    @MrNick- 2 года назад +1

    I’m the idiot who had no clue… but now I know!
    Thank you very much for the short and to the point video 💯

  • @thomaskapetantsis4951
    @thomaskapetantsis4951 7 месяцев назад +1

    As always, good info

  • @michaelgough4489
    @michaelgough4489 2 года назад +1

    Thanks AGAIN Steve👌

  • @carolinacoins
    @carolinacoins 8 месяцев назад +1

    Thanks for sharing your knowledge. P.S. That beer looks delicious! lol

  • @bobbastion7335
    @bobbastion7335 5 лет назад

    I need to know if there's such a thing as a weak spark. I'm getting spark but it is blue and seemingly impotent. Fuel mixture is not an issue because I'm shooting ether right down the throat and it still won't ignite. I checked compression, it's at 120lbs. WTH?

  • @neilmccolman8208
    @neilmccolman8208 7 лет назад +2

    Hey Steve, Great video ! Would a tool ,made from a couple of alligator clips be useful to attach the spark plug to the engine head for testing .? Might save all that voltage from going up your elbow.! Just saying.

    • @StevesSmallEngineSaloon
      @StevesSmallEngineSaloon  7 лет назад +3

      YES! That is a great idea, thank you for saying. Some units are difficult to find a bare spot to touch that plug on either, where an alligator clip would work. Funny enough, I actually considered wearing leather gloves for that video! Wish I would have now.....OUCH!!!!!!

    • @dougm1985
      @dougm1985 5 лет назад +1

      @@StevesSmallEngineSaloon leather is not the right glove, you need rubber

  • @mikecooley3361
    @mikecooley3361 6 лет назад +1

    Hey Steve, I need to pick your brain for a min. I have a Kawasaki FH430V that has started running on what appears to be one cylinder here lately but it doesn't do it all the time. RPM's are down and the power isn't there. Starts with ease on the first pull every time. I replaced the plugs and both have a heavy gas smell but neither seem wet. Compression is good on both cylinders. I didn't like the condition of the coil pickup contacts and magneto so I cleaned them up with a wire brush (discolored but not really rust). Intermittent coil failure? I haven't broken out the meter yet to check the coils. Also, I checked the valves and they were loose by a couple thou but not bad. Thoughts?

    • @mikecooley3361
      @mikecooley3361 6 лет назад

      also, it doesn't appear to have ever overheated. Valve guides are in place, pushrods seemed ok and no gunk on the valve springs or the top of the heads. Also, no smoke when it seems down on power or any other time.

  • @JimsNBHomestead
    @JimsNBHomestead 4 года назад

    I need Mac 110 carb gasket you got any

  • @ksbm78
    @ksbm78 4 года назад +1

    Thanks a million brother, great channel.

  • @mickdog2
    @mickdog2 4 года назад

    is there a way to test the coil?

  • @ahmedm6041
    @ahmedm6041 3 года назад +1

    Thanks for sharing a valueable information!

  • @patricksteinmetz44
    @patricksteinmetz44 5 лет назад +2

    Most cool video Steve. Thank you.

  • @porigense67
    @porigense67 2 года назад

    what if the spark is very low?

  • @harrycobbler9806
    @harrycobbler9806 Год назад

    Thanks very much! Exactly what I needed to know.

  • @Sinkorswim317
    @Sinkorswim317 3 года назад +1

    Thanks man that helped me out

  • @leilover2001
    @leilover2001 Год назад +1

    Is Jeff bridges your cousin?

  • @LLuE88
    @LLuE88 5 лет назад +1

    I had a little fellow, small engine mechanic, neighbor that for him the only way to check for spark was to hold the spark plug wire in his hand while resting against the engine housing, he would routinely come over if he saw me pulling on my mower's staring rope more than 4 or 5 times. I would try to do my mowing when he wasn't home, pretty rare since he was retired. It would leave me tired from thinking about getting the he had to be absorbing. regards

  • @ronsbeerreviewstools4361
    @ronsbeerreviewstools4361 7 лет назад +2

    Very good informative video , good job.

  • @wanswagger1990
    @wanswagger1990 4 года назад +1

    Good info😊

  • @shikakabubu
    @shikakabubu 8 месяцев назад +1

    Thank you

  • @M4KERB
    @M4KERB 2 года назад +1

    thanks man!

  • @realestateinfonet9041
    @realestateinfonet9041 3 года назад +1

    Awesome! Thanks!

  • @patricktatten
    @patricktatten 4 года назад

    Easy. Simple. Great, like always. Thanks!

  • @rizendamned
    @rizendamned 4 года назад +1

    I am a statistic. Ive done the it doesnt have spark issues many years ago...newbie i was. I nearly threw the thing and all along i was the damn problem. Ground is good. Duh

  • @plugger4945
    @plugger4945 5 лет назад

    Steve- I need an ignition coil for my KM 90r. Can you give me an idea where I can locate one. The one for a KM 90,are
    easily found,the 90r is impossible to find. Help a loyal subscriber out,please.

  • @kimjones3951
    @kimjones3951 3 года назад

    Ditch the chain saw start up noise @start of videos

  • @johnoshman7635
    @johnoshman7635 3 года назад

    I had to laugh when I watched you set the plug on the block and remove fingers when you checked for spark. So growing up and dad shows me how to check for spark, I thought ok, no problem, store that one away for future reference. Months (or maybe a year or two later) the mower isn't starting so I go talk to dad. It's the usual "does it have fuel, is the throttle on, does it have spark..." troubleshooting questions. So he follows me out to help look at the mower. Now mind you, this is when the shutoff was a metal strap with a little point that would poke through the rubber boot on the spark plug and just ground the wire so it no longer sparks. Well, I get the socket wrench, pull the plug, then proceed to **hold** the plug against the engine block while pulling the rope. Of course dad doesn't say anything, I'm on my own and he's around just to make sure I don't do something dangerously stupid.
    I never jumped so high, and dad never laughed so hard in his life!!

  • @dougm1985
    @dougm1985 5 лет назад +1

    good information

  • @rizendamned
    @rizendamned 4 года назад +1

    By the way excellent videos

  • @Gutslinger
    @Gutslinger 3 года назад +1

    My dad used to have me check to see if the spark plug wire was working by having me stick my finger in it while he cranked it. 🤦‍♂️😂

  • @ronrafalzik3299
    @ronrafalzik3299 Год назад +1

    Thank yoy

  • @palewriter1856
    @palewriter1856 4 года назад +1

    Well, I was HOPING this would be a LITTLE more comprehensive - proceeding on into: What to do if you DON'T see spark in the plug gap (for those of us who KNEW enough to ground the plug in the first place). Like - how to diagnose the magneto, perhaps?
    I have this little echo, inherited, no spark, Sparky. Asked at local SE shop, was told flatly that it's not worth it to fool around trying to fix it - even if it's the likely coil replacement, with their shop time it's better just to buy a new one?
    Yikes - I know that's the truth with computers, as I've worked with them for years, but - can't replace a coil for less than the cost of a complete new machine? And aren't the new ones built to fail a week after their warranty???
    What's your vote, if I give you one??

  • @ProtoNeoVintage
    @ProtoNeoVintage 5 лет назад +2

    How does this video have fewer than 500 likes? That is a crime right there.

  • @Ovunix
    @Ovunix 2 года назад +1

    Shocked myself oops lol

  • @Quacks0
    @Quacks0 4 года назад +1

    An easy simple way to check for spark is to hold the spark plug in your bare hand as you whirl the engine over, and see if yer eyeballs light up and yer hair stands on end. Hey --- that's how da Three Stooges did it, so it must be the right way! :P :D

  • @leonardvirtue5753
    @leonardvirtue5753 6 лет назад +1

    👍👍

  • @justinbathurst6640
    @justinbathurst6640 4 года назад

    I fucking hate working on small engines