C7 ignition question

[GRADE8]

Hello all, I have a question looking for suggestions on how to tackle this problem… my dads old C7 the end of the coil wire at the plug cap is really chewed up… yesterday I repaired the plug cap onto the bit of plug wire that is still there it runs but I’m just not satisfied with my fix, just not enough useable wire there… should I replace the coil wire at the coil with a new cap? Or what is the best way in everyone’s experience. What I’m looking for here is to make this fix right and trouble free for future what is the best way to do this? Also Is it also a good time to put an electronic ignition (chip) on this now? I’ve put a few on old yellow saws with success. Please let me know with any and all ideas Thank you all.

[edju1958]

Hi,I ran into the same situation a few yrs.ago with one of my C series saws (can't remember which one it was).I ended up find some 5 mm.wire on eBay & used that for a new coil/plug wire.However,trying to get the wire into the coil while still on the saw is next to impossible.Taking the coil assembly off isn't difficult,but you must remove a lot more than just the screws that hold the coil on,the condenser screw must be removed as well & there may be more,but it's definitely doable.Stihl uses a 5 mm.plug wire,so you may be able to buy a length from your local Stihl dealer.

     If your saw is running just fine then I woul;dn't bother to switch over to a chip.There were some aftermarket condensers on eBay a couple of yrs.ago when I needed one for my C51

[GRADE8]

Thank you edju1958…. That’s all good information I’ve been pretty fortunate through the years to not have a lot of electrical issues on my old homelites, they’ve all been good to me. The tip on stihl wire is much appreciated too. I was thinking it wasn’t going to be a real quick fix but I enjoy this saw… one weird thing it does is it runs well for a bit then pretty much just quits let it sit ten minutes fires right back up and back to work. Not sure if that sounds like condenser to you? But I want to get the plug wire shored up first to eliminate that 100% what’s your thoughts? It didn’t use to do that however. This week I’m going to put a fresh carb kit in it just because I have a few spare kits in the box… I really appreciate all the thoughts thank you.

[edju1958]

A condenser that's beginning to break down usually doesn't exhibit symptopms like that.I'd say that it's got to do with the plug wire.Sounds like it may be shorting out somewhere & by jostling the saw around when restarting it frees up the shorted area.Another common issue may be the switch going bad.My suggestion at this point is to replace the plug wire & see if you still have issues.Another thing that comes to miond is to replace the spark p[lug if you haven't done so already.

[GRADE8]

I really appreciate that info… I’ll get the plug wire back in order and see how that functions… very good info on the condenser, I didn’t know that… I’ll keep you posted thank you!

[undee70ss]

Apr 28, 2024 20:05:13 GMT -5 GRADE8 said:

… one weird thing it does is it runs well for a bit then pretty much just quits let it sit ten minutes fires right back up and back to work. Not sure if that sounds like condenser to you? But I want to get the plug wire shored up first to eliminate that 100% what’s your thoughts? It didn’t use to do that however. This week I’m going to put a fresh carb kit in it just because I have a few spare kits in the box… I really appreciate all the thoughts thank you.

Could also be the fuel tank vent, you can test by leaving the cap cracked open. 

[GRADE8]

Good call undee70ss I will keep that in mind I hadn’t thought of that as a potential issue, I appreciate the idea.

[GRADE8]

Heads up on the saw guys, replaced the plug wire, with new as recommended as well as a new cap… inspected the points and double checked the gap .015”… nice crispy spark now… still need to put the carb kit in but saw idled perfect no hiccups for 1/2 hour plus no issues… until about 1/2 tank then started acting weird im going to replace both fuel lines as well I could top it off and it ran good again. I did clean the fuel cap was real grubby but I left it cracked the whole time actually. I’ll need to look to see if it used a duckbill like super xl. I really appreciate the help guys… can’t thank you enough.