Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Diagnose failed ignition module, lawnboy mower, spark plug

Question
Hi,

I have an older lawnboy mower that suddenly stopped running.  I got it out of the shed a few days ago.  Started it up to make sure it was running ok. Then washed it up.  When I was finished cleaning it I hosed it off and let it dry.  I started it back up and left it running for a few minutes when it suddenly died.  Now it won't start or even pop.  I pulled the plug out, grounded it to the head and pulled the cord but no spark.  I tried a different spark plug but still no spark.  I took the ignition module off and cleaned up the contacts on it and the big rotor, reinstalled and gapped it.  Still no spark.

I left it overnight and tried again but no change.

Do these things just up and quit like that?  They seem to be pretty expensive and I don't want to replace it just to find out that's not the problem.

Any way to bench test them with a meter?

Thanks,

Matt

Answer
Hi Matt,

Sorry for the delay.  My ISP was down.

Ignition coils do just quit.  Maybe it got wet.  I don't know how to test them.  If it is connected correctly and all safety kill switches are working but still no spark then it probably is defective.

Michael