10 hp ignition coil failures

[cadman 0]

I own a 990568 (I think it is a 1970 Landlord with 10 hp engine, has varidrive) that I bought 2 years ago, it didn't run and discovered through testing with VOM that I had no continuity (open circuit) between the spark plug terminal of the high-tension lead and another to the lamination stack (ground) I replaced the ignition coil based on the fact that I did not have the 2,500 to 5,000 ohms, it worked great for 2 summers. In trying to start it up this week I discovered that I didn't have spark again, so I did more tests: Checked for the 2.5k to 5k value and I do have it, it reads 4.7k. I checked the points with ohm meter to make sure there was no continuity between ground and insulated side of points when the points were open. There is continuity when the points are open, so I thought that there was a short in the condenser. I removed the condenser and tested it again and still continuity between ground and insulated side of points. I removed the primary wire that goes to ignition coil and then I had no continuity between ground and insulated side of points. I found that there is continuity (short ? ) between ground and primary (small diameter wire) side of ignition coil. To revisit this topic http://www.simpletractors.com/club2/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=68865 that UCD kindly forwarded to the group last fall................ Would another test be that there should not be continuity between the ground and primary side of ignition coil ? Could a starter solenoid that was stuck on cause a backfeed through the system and burnout the windings in the ignition coil? The starter solenoid was stuck and would not engage the starter however there was 12 volts present at the solenoid "s" terminal with the ignition swich in the off position. Any help on this subject would be great. Sincerely, Colin Morris I have had no problems like this on my 64 landlord 9hp that has been running and working for me for 17 years :-)

[tec2484 1]

I this a briggs?

[cadman 0]

Yes it is a 10 hp briggs.