Help with Tecumseh OH160 no spark

[Duncan]

I have a 1989 max ii with oh160 engine. In November I picked it up in Minnesota and drove the 12 hours home. When I picked it up we checked for spark and it was fine. After getting home I changed the fluids, new throttle and choke cable, removed and cleaned fuel tank, new fuel lines, filter and primer bulb, new spark plug and battery.
It had been sitting for a while (inside barn)so I am planning on tearing apart and rebuilding the carb.

The problem now is I am getting no spark. In addition after cranking light smoke is coming from the neg battery post.

I have been tightening up all electrical connections but still smoke and no spark(smoke comes after only 5 or so seconds after first cranking attempt)The only noticeable thing I see is the positive battery cable on both ends where the ring connectors are clamped is pulled away so you can see a little of the wire that should be covered by the insulation. I am not sure if this is the culprit but going to pick a new cable up this afternoon.

I am planning on putting a new engine in but....twinson the way so that will have to wait. when we found out I told my wife now I needed a Max IV which didn't go over to well! Need to get this one going so she will see how fun it is and let me buy MORE

Any ideas?

Thanks
Brad

[FREQ42]

Ok the no spark can be that your switch is still grounding the kill wire for your ignition. to check this disconect the 3 prong plug comming out of your motor. this plug will go to your voltage regulator that is in your flywheel fan shroud. the two out side wires are your AC out to your voltage regulator and if i remember are yellow, the one in the middle is your kill switch and i think it is blue. with that unplugged you should have spark. i have the OH160 and OH180 and can try to help you out the best i can.

[Duncan]

I will try when I get home- thanks brad

[Duncan]

Ok- I unplugged and checked for spark again- still nothing

[jpswift1]

Worst case scenario, the ignition module is bad. Unfortunately, they don't make this part anymore and they bring a pretty good buck on ebay at $150 and up. Try unplugging the main wiring harness that goes to the engine and jumping the engine and see what happens. If it still doesn't get spark, it's probably the ignition module. Let us know. We'll help you get this figured out.

[Duncan]

Thanks JP. Before posting I had done some searches on the Internet and saw the ignition module- going to try when I get home. Hopefully not that but if so going to work the wife into letting me buy a 23 hp Briggs.

[budzinsk]

If you do need the ignition module, I have one that I was planning to list on ebay. I will sell it for a lot less than they go for on ebay to help out a member... Just PM me...

[FREQ42]

ok i'll go threw my papers on how to check it. I do remember sum-one modifying it to use an external coil for spark by using the old one as the triger.

[FREQ42]

this will get you started. the last 2 are new and I'm looking into them also. remember never hammer on the flywheel or the magnets will fall off.

http://www.wfmfiles.com/download/Tecumseh_Technician%27s_Handbook_-_8_to_18HP_Cast_Iron_Four_Cycle_Engines%28691462A%29.pdf

Circuit Diagram & Explanation
Attachment 2, Autopsies
Attachment 3, SSI Charge Coil and Stator Test
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[FREQ42]

The problem is after cranking light smoke is coming from the neg battery post.

I have been tightening up all electrical connections but still smoke and no spark(smoke comes after only 5 or so seconds after first cranking attempt)

Ok stupid question. are you using the right plug in it? I have had sum champion plug not work with my motor but if i put in an NGK it run's good. is your new plug good? just becase it's new will not garenty that it will work, I have had bad one's before. the smoke has me worried, is the + terminal on the right battery post. if there backwards the motor will crank over in the wrong direction and you will not have spark but your charging system will start to melt down and smoke when cranking. if it's smoking at the cable end's it can be from a bad crimp or a dirty connection to the frame and motor. remember your motor sits on rubber mount's with a ground strap from it to the frame. bad grounding will make it smoke. the pages i posted will give you a way to test for spark and the manual will show you how to set the gap for the electronic spark pack. I will try to duplicate your problem with my OH160 in the morning and see what i can come up with. a new engine! well let me tell you when i upgraded from my OH180 to a 23hp brig's boy what an animal it became..

[Duncan]

I have the cables on correct but am going to pick up another spark plug to confirm. I am not at home so not sure of the current plug but I looked it up in the tecumseh manual and I am pretty sure it is a champion plug. The manual listed a number of plugs- which one do you guys use? The light smoke is just from the negative terminal end so I am going to pull it off and clean the end up a little better. Going to try tonight or hopefully tomorrow before I go out of town for work the rest of the week.

Thanks,
Brad

[z240]

hello duncan
my name is tony I have two 16 tecumseh motors with those modules on them.might be too late to help you out if you still need one let me know there just sitting around like too see somebody use them.everone on the site has been really helpful. heres my number also 6106560259

[dave phelps]

hello duncan
my name is tony I have two 16 tecumseh motors with those modules on them.might be too late to help you out if you still need one let me know there just sitting around like too see somebody use them.everone on the site has been really helpful. heres my number also 6106560259

Hey Tony if you still have 1 of these I would be intersted in it! just lost spark on my tomahawk yesterday.
Thanks