Troubleshooting; Check Ignition - Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 10V300 Repair Manual

General Complaints
Most complaints concerning engine operation include one
or more of the following:
• Will not start
• Hard starting
• Lack of power
• Runs rough
3
• Vibration
• Overheating
• High oil consumption
Equipment Check
What often appears to be a problem with the engine may
actually be the result of faulty equipment.
No Start or Hard Start
• Loose belt or blade
• Cranking under load
• Misadjusted controls
• Improperly operating low oil sensor system
Engine Will Not Stop
• Equipment stop switch not functioning
• Engine ground wire damaged or disconnected
Vibration
• Bent cutter blades
• Loose spindles and couplings
• Bent/broken deck or weldments
• Bent crankshaft
• Loose equipment mounting bolts
• Damaged or worn belts and pulleys
• Out of balance impeller
Power Loss
• Bind or drag in moving parts of equipment
• Grass build-up under deck
• No lubrication in equipment gear box
• Excessive belt tension
Systems Check
Once equipment sources are ruled out, most symptoms
can be traced to one or more of the following. Perform
these checks in the order listed.
1. Ignition
2. Carburetion
3. Compression
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TROUBLESHOOTING

Check Ignition

1. Move to step 2 if engine does not start. If engine runs,
but misses, move to step 9.
Engine Does Not Start
2. Verify that engine oil level is within the cross hatch
pattern on the dipstick.
3. Obtain Ignition Tester (Part No. 19368).
4. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug terminal.
5. See Figure 17. Install free end of spark plug wire onto
inline tester prong. Install tester alligator clip onto
good engine ground.
WARNING
Be sure there is no fuel or fuel vapors present
which, if spark ignited, can cause a fire or explosion
resulting in death or serious injury.
6. Move throttle control lever to FAST.
7. Pull rewind starter rope (or activate electric starter, if
equipped). If spark jumps the tester gap, the ignition
system is functioning satisfactorily.
8. If spark is not present, move to step 15.
17
Engine Runs But Misses
9. Obtain Ignition Tester (Part No. 19368).
10. Remove spark plug wire from spark plug terminal.
11. See Figure 18. Install free end of spark plug wire onto
inline tester prong. Install tester alligator clip onto
spark plug terminal.