Today's Briggs engines contain a solid-state ignition armature mounted adjacent to the flywheel. The only moving parts in the system are the magnets mounted in the flywheel, which interact with the armature to produce electrical current. Most ignition armatures are designed to be replaced, not repaired, if they fail. If yours is one of the early solid-state ignition armatures (manufactured by Briggs & Stratton through 1982), it may have replaceable parts. But you'll probably find that replacing the armature is the easiest solution if it fails.
Most engines built through the early 1980s contain a set of mechanical points, known as breaker points, under the flywheel. The points open and close an electrical circuit required for ignition. You can improve the reliability of such an engine, if it's a Briggs & Stratton, by bypassing the breaker points system using a solid-state ignition retrofit kit. It's an easy modification.
Before you replace a suspect ignition armature, always test ignition with a spark tester. Check for faulty electrical switches that could be the source of the problem.
Installing And Adjusting A New Ignition Armature
An ignition armature must be set at a precise distance from the flywheel. Ask your Briggs & Stratton Authorised Dealer for the proper gap for your engine. Common armature gap ranges are .006 - .010" and .010 - .014". Armatures are often packaged with a shim to assist in setting the gap. Microfiche or index cards of the proper thickness also work well.
Remove the old ignition armature mounting screws. Then, disconnect the stop switch wire from the flywheel brake and remove the armature.
Attach a replacement armature from the original engine manufacturer, using mounting screws. Then, push the armature away from the flywheel and tighten one screw.
Turn the flywheel so the magnets are on the opposite side from the ignition armature.
Place the appropriate shim between the rim of the flywheel and the ignition armature. While holding the shim, turn the flywheel until the magnets are directly adjacent to the armature.
Loosen the tight screw so the magnets pull the ignition armature against the flywheel and shim. Then, tighten both mounting screws and rotate the flywheel until the shim slips free.
pleasant, August 2008
