John Deere 214 no spark

colinmccoy · Apr 15, 2015

I have replaced today the coil, the points, the condenser, spark plug, and wire yet mower will not start. Am extremely frustrated with this. I have the proper gapping on the points and on the new plug. What am I doing wrong I need this running my lawn is about knee high in the back and home owners association getting pissed off. I used my weed eater to mow the front to get them off my back please help

beenthere · Apr 15, 2015

That is disappointing for sure.

You apparently are not getting spark?

But with the quality control in today's parts, I'd suggest doubling back and figure that one or more of the new parts may be defective.
Spark plug, if Champion, may not be good.
Condenser, also may not be good.
This past winter had new points for a 600 Ford tractor, and they were not insulated and had a direct short. Took a while to realize where that problem was at.

I keep the old parts and sub some back in to see if the old work better than the new. Sad state of affairs when that is necessary.

pmsmechanic · Apr 16, 2015

So was the motor running before you started replacing parts? If it wasn't then it might not be the fault of any of the parts you replaced. What model of motor is on this tractor? Is it a magneto ignition or battery ignition?

colinmccoy · Apr 16, 2015

It was running while I was mowing then it just stopped. That's when I found out about the melted plastic on the points. Motor is a Kohler 321AQS also is battery ignition

pmsmechanic · Apr 16, 2015

Ok so when you turn the key on there should be power measured with a test light at the positive terminal of the coil. (You can use a volt meter too.) The points need to be open when you are checking for power at the coil. With the points closed you should be able to take a screw driver and open the points. Every time you open the points there should be an audible and visible spark at the points. If at the same time you remove the spark plug there should also be a spark at the spark plug electrodes with the coil wire attached and the plug laying on a metal part of the engine.

colinmccoy · Apr 16, 2015

Spark to points yes spark to plug no. Measured volts going to plug and key on no start 12.40 + key turned on for start volts drop below 9 and become sporadic. Am so frustrated and lost

pmsmechanic · Apr 16, 2015

Nine volts is a bit low but there could be a lot of current draw from the starter. A freshly charged battery should have about 13.2 across the poles. Try the screw driver on the points thing and see if there is spark from the end of the spark plug wire. Set the wire about 1/4 inch away from the block. I usually lay a pliers across the wire to hold it in place.