It has a magneto ignition, the switch grounds the primary side killing the spark.Will it start with a spritz of gas in the intake?

I haven't had the chance to check. When the problem first appeared, two weekends ago, however I sprayed ether in the carb and it didn't even try to start. I'll try again when I get a chance either late in the week or the weekend. Thanks for the reply.

Jeff

Ether is very hard on two stroke engines, it washes the oil from the cylinder wall and dries the crank seals. Use gas, WD40 works too.

OK, I tried gasoline and it didn't try to start at all.

I'm really at a loss.

At this point it seems that the plug is sparking. I can remove the plug and ground it against the cylinder and see the spark when I pull the cord. It has to be dark to see the spark, however.

I may have to break down and take it to someone that knows what they are doing.

It could be a carb problem. When you pour gas down the cylinder to test it you have to hold it wide open when trying to start it. If you didn't put a new plug in, they will fire out of the but not when in when shot. Steve

http://www.arboristsite.com/
might help
some sharp ones there!
good luck curious to find out your result I own one too,

I know this seems obvious to many, but if you are putting gas in it, make sure it is mixed 2 stroke. Even just a small amount of straight gas can reck a saw.

First off remove the spark plug then start at the off switch and remove the ground. Give it a pull while grounding the plug electrode to the cylinder and look for spark. If no spark check the air gap where the cdi module mounts over the flywheel. The air gap should be in the .010 to .015 range. A business card works for me. Put the card between the flywheel magnets and the cdi. Using the magnets to help keep the bolts aligned snug it up. Remove the card when your finished tightening and recheck for spark. Once you have spark move on to the carb. Remove the fuel line from the carb and roll it around with your finger tips looking for cracks or holes. Stretch the line good and look closely. If you have a hole then it needs replacing. Use a hook tool or bend a fish hook into a coat hanger and pull the fuel filter from the tank where you would normally fill it up at. Once you have the filter in your hand you can pull the entire fuel line straight out. Match the size and replace. If you are sure you have fuel and spark the next thing to check is compression. Your going to need a gauge. PSI needs to be over 100 to run.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Bob

P.S. When you get it to fire up make sure you pull the muffler and check the exhaust port where the exhaust comes out of the cylinder. Sometimes this port will fill up with carbon which stops the air flow through the engine.

chriskat, just a recent incident with my Stihl chainsaw. I had been cutting up a tree for firewood when I stopped to take a break... then the chainsaw would not start again. Took a quick trip down to the local hardware store and bought a new spark plug (Champion). Installed it and it fired up on the first pull. Just my experience.
Shot

I have a husky 55. In the middle of cutting it stopped and now it will not pull to start. Seems frozen. It smoked after it shut down. Is this saw finished?