How to Check Lawn Mower Coil
Maintaining your lawn mower is essential to ensure its longevity and efficiency. One of the critical components that require regular inspection is the lawn mower coil. The coil, also known as the ignition coil, is responsible for generating the high voltage required to spark the fuel-air mixture in the engine. If the coil is malfunctioning, it can lead to poor performance or even prevent the lawn mower from starting. In this article, we will guide you through the process of checking your lawn mower coil to ensure it is in good working condition.
Understanding the Lawn Mower Coil
Before we dive into the inspection process, it’s essential to understand the lawn mower coil’s role. The coil consists of two main components: the primary winding and the secondary winding. The primary winding is connected to the battery, while the secondary winding is connected to the spark plug. When the engine’s ignition switch is turned on, the current flows through the primary winding, creating a magnetic field. When the switch is turned off, the magnetic field collapses, and the secondary winding generates a high voltage that jumps across the spark plug gap, creating a spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture.
Materials Needed for Inspection
To check your lawn mower coil, you will need the following materials:
– A voltmeter
– A multimeter
– A spark plug gap tool
– A clean cloth
Step-by-Step Guide to Checking the Lawn Mower Coil
1. Prepare Your Lawn Mower: Ensure that your lawn mower is turned off and disconnected from the power source. Remove the spark plug wire to prevent accidental sparking during the inspection.
2. Inspect the Appearance: Examine the coil for any signs of damage, such as cracks, corrosion, or loose connections. If you notice any issues, it’s best to replace the coil.
3. Check the Connections: Ensure that the connections between the coil and the spark plug wire are secure and clean. If necessary, clean the connections with a clean cloth and apply dielectric grease to prevent future corrosion.
4. Test the Primary Winding: Connect the voltmeter to the primary winding terminals and set it to measure resistance. A healthy primary winding should have a resistance between 0.5 and 1.5 ohms. If the resistance is outside this range, the coil may be faulty and require replacement.
5. Test the Secondary Winding: Disconnect the voltmeter from the primary winding and connect it to the secondary winding terminals. Set the voltmeter to measure voltage. When the engine’s ignition switch is turned on, the secondary winding should produce a voltage of around 12,000 to 15,000 volts. If the voltage is significantly lower, the coil may be malfunctioning.
6. Check the Spark Plug Gap: If the coil is producing the correct voltage, use the spark plug gap tool to measure the gap between the spark plug electrodes. The gap should be between 0.035 and 0.045 inches. If the gap is too wide or too narrow, the spark plug may not fire correctly, leading to poor engine performance.
7. Reassemble the Lawn Mower: Once you have completed the inspection, reassemble the lawn mower and reconnect the spark plug wire.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your lawn mower coil is in good working condition. Regular maintenance and inspection of this critical component will help prevent costly repairs and keep your lawn mower running smoothly.
