How to Replace the Ignition Coil on a Poulan Chainsaw (Model P3314)

Chainsaw need a checkup? It's time to face the fix. Whether you are a legendary lumberjack or a weekend woodworker, eReplacementParts.com provides the parts, procedures and facts you need to fearlessly fix what fails you.

The ignition coil works with the flywheel to produce the electrical current needed for combustion. The flywheel has two magnets mounted on it at specified locations. As the magnets pass by the ignition coil, they induce an electric current within the ignition coil's windings. This current is sent to the spark plug at the precise time it is needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture inside the cylinder.

There are several symptoms of a bad ignition coil: Sometimes, the engine will not start. Sometimes, it will start (and run), but then suddenly turn off. Other times, the engine starts and runs, but won't restart until it has cooled off.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for replacing the ignition coil on a Poulan chainsaw.

Let's get started.   REMOVING THE IGNITION COIL [top] 1. Remove top cover.

Remove the (3) screws securing the top cover to the saw.

Lift the top cover away from the saw.

  2. Remove the starter assembly.

Remove the (4) screws securing the starter assembly to the (side) of the saw.

Remove the starter assembly from the saw.

  3. Disconnect the ignition coil.

Remove the spark plug boot from the spark plug.

Use long-nosed pliers to disconnect the wire connector from the ignition coil.

  4. Remove the harness clip.

Use long-nosed pliers to pull the metal harness clip away from the engine.

  5. Remove the ignition coil.

Remove the front screw securing the ignition coil to the engine. (Note that one of this screw also secures the grounding eyelet to the saw).

Remove the rear screw securing the ignition coil to the engine.

Lift the ignition coil away from the saw.

  INSTALLING THE NEW IGNITION COIL [top] 6. Install the ignition coil.

Tuck the wires of the wiring harness into the recess beneath the brake handle assembly.

Partially install the new ignition coil onto the engine.

Tuck the spark plug wire (connected to the ignition coil) into the recess beneath the brake handle assembly (on top of the harness wires).

Thread the front mounting screw through the eyelet on the new ground wire.

Thread the front screw (containing the ground wire) through the ignition coil and into the engine; do not yet tighten.

Thread the rear screw through the ignition coil and into the engine; do not yet tighten.

  7. Set the ignition air gap.

An ignition gapping gauge is recommended to accurately complete this step. However, if you do not have an ignition gapping gauge (measuring #.014 or .35mm), it is usually acceptable to use one thick business card, or two thin business cards as substitutes.

Insert the ignition gapping gauge between the ignition coil and the flywheel.

There are two magnets on the outside of the flywheel. Rotate the flywheel until these magnets align with the contacts on the ignition coil.

Adjust the position of the ignition coil until the contacts engage the magnets of the flywheel.

Tighten the (2) screws to secure the ignition coil.

Connect the ignition wire (plastic connector) to the ignition coil.

Remove the gapping gauge.

  8. Secure the wires.

Grasp the wires in the ignition harness (on the flywheel-side of the ignition coil), and gently pull the wires toward the ignition switch to remove any slack from the (coil-side) wiring harness.

Gently pull the spark plug wire toward the ignition switch to remove any slack from the (coil-side) spark plug wire.

Center the segment of heat shielding (on the wire harness) over the engine cylinder.

Tuck the wire harness into the recess on the engine.

Secure the wire harness and the spark plug wire with the metal clip.

  REASSEMBLING THE UNIT [top] 9. Reinstall the starter assembly.

Install the starter assembly to the engine.

Pull the starter rope slowly until the flywheel engages the starter assembly.

Secure the starter assembly to the engine with the (4) screws.

  10. Reinstall the spark plug boot.

Connect the spark plug boot to the spark plug.

  11. Reinstall the top cover.

Install the top cover onto the saw.

Secure the top cover with the (3) screws.

Do-it-yourself repairs like these are easier than you might think: From lawn machines to cordless drills, kitchen mixers to outdoor grills. Our "how-to" articles walk you through each repair from start to finish.

So, doing-it-yourself means never having to do it alone.

Find your next fix here.   [top]