Toro 303447 - Ignition System; Spark Testing Procedures; Ignition System Types

Spark(Cont.)
Thesparkcanbecheckedusingasparktester.
Simplyconnectthesparkplugleadtothetesterand
groundtheclamptotheengine.
Pulltherewindstarterorengagethestarterandcheckfor
sparkoutputinthewindow.
Ignition System
The ignition system provides a high voltage spark in
the combustion chamber at the proper time.
Two types of ignition systems
Battery
Magneto
Battery
Battery systems transforms the battery voltage and
fires the spark plug at the correct time.
Magneto
Magneto systems must produce the current,
transform the voltage and time the spark plug.
Most small engines use the magneto system
Two types of magneto systems:
Breaker point ignition
Solid state (electronic) ignition
Breaker point ignition
Older system. Most manufacturers have replaced
them with solid state.
Uses a set of points to break the primary circuit.
Solid state ignition
Uses a transistor to break the primary circuit.