I have a 1997 year built McCulloch chain saw 32 CC
I can't get a spark through the coil wire. I've totally unhooked the kill switch and removed and inspected the coil and contacts/flywheel. How can I check the coil.

Mike

Mike, July 2009

My experience with a Gardenline chainsaw (and they're all pretty much the same) is that you have to spin the engine quite fast to generate a spark. Holding the plug against the cylinder head and pulling the cord isn't good enough: you have to pull it hard to spin the engine.
I replaced the coil before I realised this - and found there was nothing wrong with the original!
What is also very important is the gap between the coil unit and the magnet in the engine flywheel. It should be about 15 thou (0.015" or 0.4mm)

David, August 2009

Using a multimeter set to resistance, check for continuity from the cut out wire to the metal body part of the coil. Then check for a much higher resistance between the plug lead and cut out lead.

John, July 2009