360 no spark or intermittent spark

[strtjoints]

Does a 360 have points & condenser ? iv's replaced everything else. transformer , contact set , coil, even replaced switch. sometimes spark sometimes not. it seems never consistent enough to start it although I have smelled what I thought was exhaust smell a number of times. I debating whether to give up & part the saw. any help? I have resealed all the wires as well even though they look pristine.

[onlyhomelites]

No, the 360 has only a coil & transformer. Were both the transformer and coil new in the box or alleged good used (sometimes sellers don't actually test)? How are you testing for spark? Have you checked the flywheel key to make sure it isn't sheared?

[strtjoints]

Well I have used wet fingers & gotten bit good several times. But most of the time ihave leads hooked up to contacts & to transformer & then one to ground the spark plug. i have gotten really good blue spark sometimes thinking ok it's all working only to put it back then pull the starter & no start. I will take off the transformer do the quick wet finger trick & no bites. ait gap set at 012. flywheel seems tight & not slipping but have not actually taken it off I have an extra flywheel on a parts saw though & key if need be.

[sweepleader]

I don't remember, have you seen this saw run ever?

Could the wrong flywheel have been installed at some point, for a different ignition system, leading to wrong magnets or ? Did these saws come with different ignition systems?

[onlyhomelites]

I'd check the key to be honest. More than once I come across good spark, but no start and the saw is so out of time it can't fire.

But if you are intermittent at the transformer contacts, that sound suspiciously like a bum coil or a wire shorting out. The original coils had the lead zip tied to the coil leg to keep it from rattling around, so I know it was an issue. The coils on these usually are not intermittent...either good or bad.

I'll check my stash tonight as I usually have a good coil on hand in the shop for diagnosing problem saws...I could send it your way if needed.

[strtjoints]

I never have seen this saw run. one of the old core coils I have has a ground wire on it they other two I have do not.

[sweepleader]

Doesn't seem like a ground wire would be needed, it screws to metal doesn't it? Does the transformer ground wire go to the same place? Are they grounded together properly without the missing wire?

[lesorubcheek]

If it turns out the flywheel key is good so timing is correct, ya may want to check the contact surfaces where the transformer mates when it's screwed down. I've came across more than one '50 series where there was either some oxidation or the tab on the transformer just needed to be bent up a hair to make a good contact with the base that it mates too.

Dan