Honda HR-214 won't start

[misterbil1]

I just bought a Honda hr-214 for $20.00 from a guy who could'nt get it started. It seems to be getting fuel but there is no spark. I know very little about this mower but have worked on other small engines. I tested the plug wire coming from the coil and there is no spark when I try to pull start it. It has electric start but the battery is dead. Does there have to be a charge in the battery for this unit to work? I have also read there is a kill switch on this machine that can cause problems. It did start ONCE when I first brought it home but has not even sputtered since. It only ran for about 10 seconds then died. I bought another coil off e-bay but have not yet received it. Could I be missing something simple? I removed the bowl from the carb and it looked very good. Also the oil looks almost new and the blades look like they were recently sharpened. That tells me it was running recently and suddenly quit working. I have heard this is a good mower to own. Otherwise it is in very good condition and very light with an aluminum deck. Batteries plus has a replacement battery for $35.00, but I don't really need the electric start at this point until I can get it running........any help would be appreciated.....Bill

[4.3mudder]

The battery has nothing to do with the spark, it is only desinged for the electric start. The coil that hovers over the flywheel gives the plug spark. I have seen a lot of times, the prongs on the coil and the magnets on the flywheel get bady rusted and make it very difficult to start. If they are, you can take sand paper and take the rust off, if not, make sure there is not a kill switch that is somehow on. To make sure, take every wire off the coil and try it.

[misterbil1]

OK, I will give it a shot tomorrow. How do I gap the distance between the coil and the flywheel magnets?

[Phil G]

OK, I will give it a shot tomorrow. How do I gap the distance between the coil and the flywheel magnets?

After you've cleaned it up use a business card as a spacer to set he gap.
Also disconnect the thin cut-out wire from the coil when you test it, just to make sure it's not faulty.

Good luck, Phil :)