Disappointing weekend:

Have a 18.5hp, 46" Rider from Murray. Model 46570x8A
Ran it till it was completely out of gas.
Filled it back up, and tried to start it. Repeatedly. Engine turns
over fine, but doesn't catch.
Tried till the battery needed a jump start. (Took breaks to keep from
hurting the starter.)
2 Days later and can still not get it started.

Debug steps tried so far:
1) Checked under air filter, saw gas squirting into the carb. Also
noticed gas smell from exhaust, while I was trying to start engine.
So, seems to be getting gas. Engine turns over fine, just doesn't
catch.
2) Pulled a spark plug, and rested it on the engine block. Did not
see a spark.
3) Replaced both spark plugs. Still do not get a spark.
4) Confirmed that yellow grounding wire that connects to the Armature
is *not* connected to ground, as long as I either have the brake pedal
down, or the seat switch depressed.
5) Ohm'd out the diode in the red wire that runs from the ignition
switch to the Stator. Looked good.
6) Checked the fuse. Ok.
7) Replaced Ignition Switch. Still doesn't get spark.
8) ... help?!! There's not much left.

I'm looking at the "Parts List" book that came with the mower. Has an
Electrical System diagram, and I have to admit, I'm having trouble
seeing the current flow path that ultimately supplies battery power to
the spark plugs. Of course, I'm not really sure of what a Stator
does, so that's probably the problem. Seems like the Stator and the
Armature are the only things left.

What (how) do I check next???

Thanks!
-Oliver
Raleigh, NC

Not familiar with your mower/engine combo but most small engines/spark plugs
are non-battery powered magneto - alternator charging coils/magnets under
and built into the flywheel - magnets passing the coil(s) juice it to fire -
probably one spark each revolution. Extra wasted spark at exhaust tdc.
battery just turns the starter, powers headlights, maybe an electric clutch,
guages, etc.

Sounds like you're hip on wiring, maybe put an ohm meter on all your safety
switches make sure they open/close - perhaps a rat or squirrel chewed
through a wire? ground path is shorted ?

gardenweb.com has riding mower forum with a few experts.

"Oliver" wrote in message
om...
Disappointing weekend:

Have a 18.5hp, 46" Rider from Murray. Model 46570x8A
Ran it till it was completely out of gas.
Filled it back up, and tried to start it. Repeatedly. Engine turns
over fine, but doesn't catch.
Tried till the battery needed a jump start. (Took breaks to keep from
hurting the starter.)
2 Days later and can still not get it started.

Debug steps tried so far:
1) Checked under air filter, saw gas squirting into the carb. Also
noticed gas smell from exhaust, while I was trying to start engine.
So, seems to be getting gas. Engine turns over fine, just doesn't
catch.
2) Pulled a spark plug, and rested it on the engine block. Did not
see a spark.
3) Replaced both spark plugs. Still do not get a spark.
4) Confirmed that yellow grounding wire that connects to the Armature
is *not* connected to ground, as long as I either have the brake pedal
down, or the seat switch depressed.
5) Ohm'd out the diode in the red wire that runs from the ignition
switch to the Stator. Looked good.
6) Checked the fuse. Ok.
7) Replaced Ignition Switch. Still doesn't get spark.
8) ... help?!! There's not much left.

I'm looking at the "Parts List" book that came with the mower. Has an
Electrical System diagram, and I have to admit, I'm having trouble
seeing the current flow path that ultimately supplies battery power to
the spark plugs. Of course, I'm not really sure of what a Stator
does, so that's probably the problem. Seems like the Stator and the
Armature are the only things left.

What (how) do I check next???

Thanks!
-Oliver
Raleigh, NC

Ignition module ,or coil , or seat or other saftey switch or bad wire.

(m Ransley) wrote in message ...
Ignition module ,or coil , or seat or other saftey switch or bad wire.

It was the coil (armature).

Replaced the coil, gapped it with a business card (when the coil and
stator magnets pulled together), and it cranked right up.

Thanks for the help.
-Oliver