How to Install a Riding Lawn Mower Ignition Coil

One of the parts to go out on a riding lawnmower that causes the most frustration is the ignition coil. The keys are frequently cheaply made and can break easily, the switches go out or the entire unit burns out. Some people end up hot wiring their riding lawnmower when the ignition coil goes bad, or they take it to a mechanic and end up paying large sums of money to fix the problem. But installing a new ignition coil on your riding lawnmower yourself can save you money and potentially hazardous habits, and it is an easy aspect of lawn mower maintenance and repair.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lawnmower ignition coil
• Channel lock pliers

1. Locate where the ignition coil sticks through the control panel on your lawnmower. It will be where you put your key to start it.

2. Remove the nut and washer securing the ignition coil in place using your channel lock pliers. Hold onto the backside of the ignition coil while you do this. You may need to open the hood on your riding lawn mower to get to the backside of your control panel.

3. Remove the ignition coil from the back of the control panel once you have removed the nut and washer. It is attached to a wiring harness and female connector.

4. Grasp the female connector in one hand and the ignition coil in the other, and gently pull the two apart. If they do not separate fairly easily, you may want to call a small engine mechanic.

5. Discard the old ignition coil.

6. Line up the new ignition coil male connectors with the female receptacles on the wiring harness and push the two together.

7. Put the key slot end of the ignition coil through the hole in the control panel and correctly align it. It should have a notch or slot to align it.

8. Place the washer and nut that came with your new ignition coil on the threaded end of the ignition coil.

9. Tighten the nut into place with your channel lock pliers.

10. Start your mower to ensure that everything is connected properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Regular maintenance will prolong the life of your riding lawnmower.
• Never work on the wiring on a lawnmower with the battery attached if there is frayed or scorched wiring.

References

• Riding Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips