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richm1386

Onan P216 Coil Replacement

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richm1386

Quick story and a couple of questions concerning replacing the ignition coil on my '89 416-8 with Onan P216 engine. 

 

So I got this old tractor from my Dad when he replaced it and it was running okay until a few weeks ago. Was picking up sticks and hauling them out to the wood pile when I idled down the tractor and then it stalled out (which happens all the time.) I tried starting again and it would not turn over. The starter would go and go but no ignition. I spent a lot of time on these forums and found some really good info including the service manual. I used that diagnose the problem and figured out the coil was bad. I ordered a new off brand coil and condenser from Amazon for $40 swapped them in last night and it fired almost immediately. Plus since I had taken the shroud off and disconnected the throttle cable it was idling well at very low throttle. I've still got to reassemble everything properly but it seems like the coil was the culprit.

That said I've got a couple questions.

 

1. Anybody have any luck with non-Onan coils?The one I got from Amazon seems well made but it is literally some no name part. I figured for $40 it was worth a shot.

 

2. Does it matter which spark plug attaches to which plug on the coil? I forgot to take a photo before I disassembled. 

 

3. Could a failing coil cause very hard starts and stalling at low idle? I'm asking because as I said above the tractor has been very hard to start for years. Almost always needed to choke it. It would also stall out if you idled down nearly every time. Just the brief testing with the new coil that I've done, both of these issues seem much better. Also I used my Dad's replacement (early '90s 416-h with same engine) for this tractor while working on mine and it started and idled very easily. It looks like it might have a replacement coil as well. Just wondering. 

 

Thanks all.

 

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lynnmor

1. Yes.

2. No.

3. Maybe.

 

 

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953 nut

:WRS:

The aftermarket coil will probably last a long time and I am sure the old one contributed to the hard starting. Some new fuel lines and filter would also be a good idea too. 

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