OK guys , this has me really scratching my head............ I have an MS362 that ran about a year ago and was put in storage. I recently dusted it off to use it and it wouldn't start. It had plenty of fuel but no spark. So, the first thing is try another spark plug, I tried 3 or 4 others (some that were good used ones and a couple new ones) and still no spark. Next, Mr. fix-it figures it must be a bad coil so off to my OPE dealer for a replacement coil; new Stihl factory coil (let me tell you; they are proud of those things) still no spark. I tried the old business card for coil gap and even went down to a piece of printer paper folded in half to close the gap as much as possible. Still nothing. Tried with the kill switch wire disconnected from the coil to eliminate that and still nothing. What is left? The only other part of this simple ignition system is the flywheel magnet. I guess my real question is can a flywheel magnet just go bad from sitting. I have been playing with engines all my life and never had this problem. The only test I have done is check to see if it is still a magnet. Yes it is , a screwdriver sticks to it. Any thoughts? I hate to just throw a flywheel in it but don't know what else it could be.
Check the plug boot on the plug wire. Just pull it off and make sure the pointy end of the coil is still stabbed into the conductor of the wire.
I'd be pretty frustrated by this point too...pretty simple system! That's not a resistor plug cap on it, is it? I've seen those go bad (on other things) and cause no spark...but beyond that, I dunno, kinda crazy! I'd say if the magnet can stick a screwdriver, then it's fine
Not a mechanic by any stretch of the means. Ground......... Does that come into play or is that for only killing the coil when you shut it off ?
This is a scary YOU cant fix an engine??? I would've gone all in and lost. Must've really frustrated the heck out of you! All kidding aside there's always a first even for someone with your extensive knowledge and experience. Guess the old adage is true...were never too old to learn something new. Hopefully its gets resolved.
I have not , I was going to compare the two but just ran out of time and frustration level was going up so it was time to walk away. Ground wire is on one of the legs of the coil , then there is another wire on a small spade terminal that goes to ground when you hit the switch. This is disconnected and that eliminates the switch from the equation.
