Wherever I can find a space to work I’ll take advantage of it. I’ve done quite a few on the garbage can lid, especially on garbage day when someone comes by with a 2 stroke that won’t start, I’ll keep it at the end of the driveway, sit it on the bin and troubleshoot right there! Thanks for watching!
Before I hit the play button I knew the problem. Very common with the 86. The anti vibration handle flexes the wiring a lot. We had a couple dozen of these at the forest preserve that the grounds crews used. I was replacing the wire harness just about annually on all of them.
Want to add, many times the blower would come in with a complaint of no power. Hit the throttle and it would just bog down. The spark arrestor in the muffler would be plugged up. Those wires would break and the nimrods using it wouldn't write it up, they would just keep using the choke to kill it. All that flooding/oil plugged the spark arrestor over time.
Well done sir it took a while and both Jake and i were yelling test the switch test the switch before you bought the replacement. Dont think your the only one i am sure there are many others including us that have purchased something that did not need replacing. Inventory i guess eh?
Good video ken. Glad you found the fault.. and now you have a spare switch.. you know what it's like when you have static with a balloon and your hair (NOT)LOL
@@KensSmallEngineRepair In an SPST switch is a spring that fits inside the rocker. At the bottom of the spring is a small ball that rides in a contoured contact bar. When you push the button to off, it moves the assembly to the ground, and releases back to open. This is a simple single pole single throw switch. They can be complicated with multiple wires. Those are usually DPDT. Much of the equipment I worked on in my last job had those type switches. In your case, it's not worth the hassle to take apart and put back together.
@@KensSmallEngineRepair Hi Ken, @jimbrewer has explained perfectly..I just gently prise the outer body away from the rocker pivot points, carefully clean all the internals with brake clean, then reassemble with a tiny dot of grease.. Works every time up to now..
For 6 bucks, I’m good lol! Thanks for the clarification! We use Micro Switches all the time, never fixed one, except an expensive Allen Bradley switch that was NLA!
@@KensSmallEngineRepair ok nice mate 290,310,390 are all the same! 029-“39 aswell👌 good luck with it mate🤞 also where abouts in the world are u?? I’m in Melbourne australia
I think you wanted a new switch to have in stock ... LOL that black wire was intact before you took the switch out the first time , when it was dirty .... All that crud was shutting the engine off , so it wasn't broke all the way yet ..... Take care Mon Ami ...
My dealer said that harness gets replaced all the time due to a design fault where the joint under the shrink tubing flexes due to the anti-vibe handle and eventually breaks. For about a year The on/off switch would sometimes work, then recently just stopped working. The wire I replaced it with should last forever as there is no joint in the area that appears to flex
Both happened. The on/off switch would not shut off the blower while running and lately it would shut itself off after running about 5 seconds. Turns out the anti vibe system pivoted at a location allowing the blue and black wires which were shrink wrapped to break from continuous flexing and work hardening
Glad to see I'm not the only one using the garbage can as a workbench! :-) Enjoyed the video!
Wherever I can find a space to work I’ll take advantage of it. I’ve done quite a few on the garbage can lid, especially on garbage day when someone comes by with a 2 stroke that won’t start, I’ll keep it at the end of the driveway, sit it on the bin and troubleshoot right there! Thanks for watching!
Before I hit the play button I knew the problem. Very common with the 86. The anti vibration handle flexes the wiring a lot. We had a couple dozen of these at the forest preserve that the grounds crews used. I was replacing the wire harness just about annually on all of them.
Now you tell me lol!!! Thanks for watching!
Yep.
Good find kenny! Nice diagnosis procedure :)
Thanks Tom
This was very interesting, it is far too easy to assume it is the switch. Great fix
The anti vibe lets the wires flex and break. Thanks for watching Joseph!
Good tips. Hidden faults in wiring is a pain.
Ya strange how you can buy the switch with or without the harness!
@@KensSmallEngineRepair Yes. Always worth doing some tests.
Glad you found the issue. We change loads of those stop looms for that same problem.
I can see why. Not a good spot for a flex joint!
Nice find. Thank you!
No problem!
Want to add, many times the blower would come in with a complaint of no power. Hit the throttle and it would just bog down. The spark arrestor in the muffler would be plugged up. Those wires would break and the nimrods using it wouldn't write it up, they would just keep using the choke to kill it. All that flooding/oil plugged the spark arrestor over time.
Good point, I. Lean my spark arrestor every few months. I like to see the glow from the torch!!
Nice job Ken, sticking with it got it solved. 👍
Not what I expected. Thanks John
Anytime brother
Well done sir it took a while and both Jake and i were yelling test the switch test the switch before you bought the replacement. Dont think your the only one i am sure there are many others including us that have purchased something that did not need replacing. Inventory i guess eh?
Hey, what’s 5 bucks, cheap lesson
Nice job ken i did lol when it didn't stop but nice to see you trouble shoot till you found it well done very enjoyable.
Good video ken. Glad you found the fault.. and now you have a spare switch.. you know what it's like when you have static with a balloon and your hair (NOT)LOL
Mick try the hair down under, and I don’t mean in Australia!
@@KensSmallEngineRepair ohhh ok.. we have a problem.. nothing down there too lol you need photo prof lol
Useful video Ken, those little switches do pop apart for cleaning.. Don't loose the tiny spring or ball bearing if you do..
Spring, ball bearing? Explain as now I’m curious!
@@KensSmallEngineRepair In an SPST switch is a spring that fits inside the rocker. At the bottom of the spring is a small ball that rides in a contoured contact bar. When you push the button to off, it moves the assembly to the ground, and releases back to open. This is a simple single pole single throw switch. They can be complicated with multiple wires. Those are usually DPDT. Much of the equipment I worked on in my last job had those type switches. In your case, it's not worth the hassle to take apart and put back together.
@@KensSmallEngineRepair Hi Ken, @jimbrewer has explained perfectly..I just gently prise the outer body away from the rocker pivot points, carefully clean all the internals with brake clean, then reassemble with a tiny dot of grease.. Works every time up to now..
For 6 bucks, I’m good lol! Thanks for the clarification! We use Micro Switches all the time, never fixed one, except an expensive Allen Bradley switch that was NLA!
Taking it apart is not bad just putting it back together can be a challenge for sure
Not too bad Robert!
Nice job Kenny.
Thanks Pete
Nice bit of troubleshooting Ken not sure I'd a caught that one !
I guess it is a common fault with the Anti-Vibration system allowing the wires to flex back and forth at the shrink tube joint. Thanks for watching
Nice video buddy, you solved the mystery. It would always make me happy when I solved the problem working on things like that.
Simple issue, two solutions, I picked the wrong one first!
Good video ken!! Thanks for coming over to mine for a look buddy❤👌🙏
I’m working on an MS290 with a terrible air leak and saw that you had a video on one.
@@KensSmallEngineRepair ok nice mate 290,310,390 are all the same! 029-“39 aswell👌 good luck with it mate🤞 also where abouts in the world are u?? I’m in Melbourne australia
I think you wanted a new switch to have in stock ... LOL that black wire was intact before you took the switch out the first time , when it was dirty .... All that crud was shutting the engine off , so it wasn't broke all the way yet ..... Take care Mon Ami ...
My dealer said that harness gets replaced all the time due to a design fault where the joint under the shrink tubing flexes due to the anti-vibe handle and eventually breaks. For about a year The on/off switch would sometimes work, then recently just stopped working. The wire I replaced it with should last forever as there is no joint in the area that appears to flex
Great fix ken
OHHH buddy , I have these type of switch from bad trimmers , I saved them for just such an occasion .
Too bad the harnesses are $$. Luckily I had some small gage phone wire
Nice work on that blower switch next time probe the switch before you buy
Very true Hank! For 6 bucks what the heck!
I dont know why you wouldn't subscribe to a great channel! Its FREE. Nice video Ken ! Keep the videos flowing. ✌😎Roger
Thanks Roger. I never would have thought wiring!
ok , what did i miss , title says " cuts out after 5 seconds " not won't shut off
Both happened. The on/off switch would not shut off the blower while running and lately it would shut itself off after running about 5 seconds. Turns out the anti vibe system pivoted at a location allowing the blue and black wires which were shrink wrapped to break from continuous flexing and work hardening
Who’d a thunk it😁
Poor design, if that joint was an inch to the right it would’ve lasted forever! Designed obsolescence? Hmmmmm?
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Impromptu worktop!
Nice job ken i did lol when it didn't stop but nice to see you trouble shoot till you found it well done very enjoyable.