I passed by a yard sale over the weekend and found a Homelite Super 2 for sale for $50. The guy said it has good compression but no spark, so I'm wondering if it's worth the risk. From what I've read, a lack of spark could mean a few things, like a bad ignition coil, a faulty kill switch, or maybe just a short somewhere. Is this a common issue with these older Super 2s? What are the chances of it being an easy fix, or am I likely to need a new coil? I'm pretty new to fixing up chainsaws, so I'm trying to figure out if this would be a good project to learn on, or if I should save my money and look for something that runs. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!
Homelite Super 2 with no spark for $50 worth it?
- Thread starter r_s4wy3r
- Start date
MidlifeMoto
Member
well, being no spark is a common issue on older chainsaws. It's often related to the ignition coil (also called an ignition module), the kill switch, or the spark plug itself.
but my friend had the same issue with his chainsaw, and fixed it by cleaning the module and adjusting the gap suggests it's not always a major fix
it's worth to try, right?
Leon Couper
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2025
- Messages
- 127
Pull the wire off your kill switch at the coil or the switch itself. If you have spark them it;s
your switch. Check your air gap on the coil with a business card which is the right gauge (12 thou)
and also check the coil face and flywheel magnets for rust that can also upset your spark and if none of that
works you may have to get the coil tested, I have 2 Homelite XL 2 and both throw a good spark.
Good luck with your repairs.
your switch. Check your air gap on the coil with a business card which is the right gauge (12 thou)
and also check the coil face and flywheel magnets for rust that can also upset your spark and if none of that
works you may have to get the coil tested, I have 2 Homelite XL 2 and both throw a good spark.
Good luck with your repairs.
chainsaw101
Member
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2025
- Messages
- 8
@r_s4wy3r tough call, but for $50, the risk is pretty low! The Homelite Super 2 is a classic, and good compression means the core of the engine is sound. The no spark problem is a well known issue with these vintage saws.
Before you buy it, see if the seller will let you do one quick test. Take the spark plug out, put it back in the boot, and ground it to a metal part of the engine. Then pull the cord. No spark? Okay.
The first thing you should check when you get it home is the kill switch wire. It's a small wire that goes from the switch to the coil.
Sometimes it gets frayed and grounds out on the engine case, which kills the spark. If you disconnect that wire and you suddenly get a spark, you've found the problem. A new kill switch or just re wrapping the wire is a cheap fix. If that doesn't work, the coil is the next likely suspect. New aftermarket coils are easy to find and pretty affordable. It's a great project to learn on, as long as you have a few basic tools and patience
Before you buy it, see if the seller will let you do one quick test. Take the spark plug out, put it back in the boot, and ground it to a metal part of the engine. Then pull the cord. No spark? Okay.
The first thing you should check when you get it home is the kill switch wire. It's a small wire that goes from the switch to the coil.
Sometimes it gets frayed and grounds out on the engine case, which kills the spark. If you disconnect that wire and you suddenly get a spark, you've found the problem. A new kill switch or just re wrapping the wire is a cheap fix. If that doesn't work, the coil is the next likely suspect. New aftermarket coils are easy to find and pretty affordable. It's a great project to learn on, as long as you have a few basic tools and patience
Last edited:
