Mend > Lawn Mowers

My Murray / Briggs & Stratton 12 HP Riding Mower - Has No Spark?

I have a 2003 Murray 30" rider with a 12 HP B&S engine.

I tried to start it this season and it would not fire.

Changed the plug and fuel filter and still no-go.

Checked the spark and could not see one.

Troubleshot with a friend. Checked all obvious wires, switches/interlocks and fuses with multi-tester and all appeared OK.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Dave

04/20/08

Dave
April 2008

Briggs & Stratton Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Briggs Stratton Mower

i had the same problem and found out it was the terminals on the coil nd fly-wheel as they had started 2 corrode

stephen wilkinson
October 2009

try cleaning the magnets on the fly wheel and clean the coil with a wire brush

mark
November 2008

I am having the same proublem with an older 12 hp motor
I replaced the solanoid and the coil and it ran after that for 2 mows not it has died again -- the only thing i can think of is the points or the electronic pack try these things

len
August 2008

I have a 12/30 and had the same problem. Check the solanoid - 2 pole type- changed this fixed my problem. Do you have a handbook?

Reggie
July 2008

Reveal the coil by taking the cooling cowl off. Then disconnect the cut out wire - small diameter, usually black - and see if you get a spark now. These engines have electronic ignition (no points etc) so if still no joy its likely to be a coil fault - but they are generally very reliable, I have to say. I have had problems with the flywheel woodruff key shearing though....which upsets the timing.

John
April 2008