No spark or hit when I turn the key. It's a >10 year old Husqvarna w/Kohler mower. I replaced the battery and spark plug.

I'm sure it's laundry list of possibilities but it's electrical.

If it is not turning over/starter.
Check safety interlocks/switches.

Then check the ground(s), to solenoid, starter.

If it is turning over. (not sure if "hit" means. to you, starter noise or movement or igniting/trying to fire)

Coil or mag?

If the sparking plug isn't getting a firing impulse, then it is going somewhere else. As I read the OP, The Kohler is a battery-started engine, and the engine spins when the starter engages, but does not "fire." Spark/fuel/compression could each be a factor, but if you aren't getting a spark, you have a short somewhere, or an interruption in the circuit. This could be as simple as a piece of debris lodged in the exact wrong spot, corroded contacts, a failed magneto, or a disconnected wire. Pressure washing and a close visual inspection are the easiest first steps. Trying the starter in a dark place will sometimes show where the spark is going.

Checking continuity comes next. Confirming that there is spark to the plug (screwdriver through the connector held near the plug top and look for sparking while trying the starter, or use a spark tester if you don't like getting shocked).

You should already know whether you're getting compression by how fast the starter rotates the engine (compare with the plug out), but I have been known to put a few drops of ATF down the spark hole to make sure the rings are sealing the cylinders. ATF burns off a little quicker than motor oil irritating fewer neighbors.

A pinhole air leak or clogged pickup in the fuel feed can also inhibit starting. One final thing, too much fuel can be as inhibiting as too little, check that you are not getting flooding in each of the carb., the cylinder, and the exhaust.

Replace the fuel.

Carb float stuck? Give the bowl a couple of taps


Also, how do you know it's not getting spark?

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:

Coil or mag?

Coil would have been my guess.

Have you pulled the spark plug(s) out and ground them then engage starter to see if they are sparking?

When my Toro did that, it was a bad magneto.

Like any small gas engine it needs fuel, compression and fire. If it turns over, spray a little starting fluid in the intake, if it hits the problem is with the fuel system, if not look at the ignition system. If not does it have any compression?

No spark to the plug when cranking seems to be key. I’d google up that mower, no spark condition is see what the main reasons are.

i'd spray some starting fluid first, then check the seat interlock - the wiring, and the switch itself. Some of these mowers have several safeties on the same circuit that inhibits the spark.

As mentioned, the ethanol in the gas gums up the carb, which may need a cleaning. So if it fires with starting fluid, then drop the bowl and clean the carb.