On Sun, 10 Apr 2005 17:26:27 -0700, Wayne Cook wrote
(in message ):

On 10 Apr 2005 16:33:30 -0700, "dolfantimmy"
wrote:

A few years back, I bought a riding mower from Tractor supply. I don't
remember what the brand name is, but it has a tecumseh 13 1/2 HP
engine.

The ignition on these things are directly opposite to what are on cars. They
do NOT require power from the battery for ignition. These are magnetos and
will run all the time until they are grounded out. The battery merely spins
the starter motor; the ignition generates its own electricity. The ignition
switch is in reality a "kill switch". When you switch to "off" you complete
the circuit to ground the magneto coil. The safety switches on the discharge
chute and such are also kill switches. If you cut the wires (or totally
remove them) then the ignition will function. You may have an electronic
ignition module located next to the flywheel or on older machines there is a
points & condenser setup UNDER the flywheel that you have to pull the
flywheel to get too. Locate all these kill switch wires, make sure they are
not accidently grounded, and the engine should run, or at least have spark at
the spark plug...........unless the coil is boogered or some other component
is broken or out of adjustment.
Hope this helps.
Roger in Vegas