well bill you are checking it ok as long as you are earthing the side of the spark plug against a METAL part of the engine when you pull the cord ,if its gioing to spark then it will with it like that,if it doesnt then check the kill button is working by disconnecting the wires to it and pulling it again to check the spark hope that helps athough i am not a garden tool mechanic :)
adam bike doctor, June 2006