MS201TC And Other M-Tronic Problems?

[huskihl]

I had a similar experience on a 201. Idled high, wouldn’t idle on choke to do the reset. Replaced the white solenoid with a new one and no change. Bought a new carburetor, didn’t fix it. Put a new coil in it and it was good as new.

 

[PA Dan]

If you're just getting a few for your woods bag, try the Google. If you need quantity, find a hammer donkey that works for the company. Rumor has it he has brought a bunch to a GTG that used to happen on the side of a beautiful hill in PA. Among others.

I can attest to this and have a stash from so called hammer donkey!

 

[Duane(Pa)]

If you're just getting a few for your woods bag, try the Google. If you need quantity, find a hammer donkey that works for the company. Rumor has it he has brought a bunch to a GTG that used to happen on the side of a beautiful hill in PA. Among others.

I can attest to this and have a stash from so called hammer donkey!

Yes, I have a box that I got from Tim. I'm kind of a hoarding type when it comes to things I consider "scarce"
Not the first time I have heard of a loose center electrode on an NGK. pretty sad.

 

[Stump Shot]

Had a stock 201 that did not have much run time on it and lost spark. Replaced the coil, nothing. Replaced the carburetor and checked wiring, nothing. replaced the flywheel, nothing. Replaced with different new coil, flywheel carburetor, wiring harness, checked ground, all at the same time, nothing. At this point it was decided to cut losses and make it a parts saw for the rest of the fleet. Funny part is, I have used most all of the components to put other 201's back in service, which made it a cost-effective decision, however it still bugs me wondering what the malfunction was.
All that is left of saw.

 

[Stump Shot]

Otherwise, I've only had one other that had a bad solenoid, replaced it, the fuel filter and cleaned the spark screen and it was back to pea and carrots. Mainly the majority of the repairs I do to 201's is from physical damage, regular wear and maintenance. They're pretty good little saws overall.

 

[Bill G]

This is a very good thread. I hope it keeps going

 

[ZeroJunk]

We stock handles and manifolds for those saws. You can get the complete top handle with wiring for the MS201TC. I saved the original wiring, and just used the shell a couple of weeks ago to save the guy some money. Used some words I haven't used in a long time.
Replaced the manifold on one Monday. Pretty easy. Ordered three more for stock.
Anyhow, most that I work on have been dropped, or run over. Like 80%.
I have had one bad ignition module, but that was a couple of years ago.

Had one that would set on the mat and run fine, but when you picked it up it cut off. Cracked manifold.

 

[Woodwackr]

Had a stock 201 that did not have much run time on it and lost spark. Replaced the coil, nothing. Replaced the carburetor and checked wiring, nothing. replaced the flywheel, nothing. Replaced with different new coil, flywheel carburetor, wiring harness, checked ground, all at the same time, nothing. At this point it was decided to cut losses and make it a parts saw for the rest of the fleet. Funny part is, I have used most all of the components to put other 201's back in service, which made it a cost-effective decision, however it still bugs me wondering what the malfunction was.
All that is left of saw.
View attachment 454229

Gremlins….

 

[SCHallenger]

I don’t have anything to add, but I want to subscribe to this thread. One thing that strikes me, is we are all chainsaw nerds and want to try and figure these things out. I really wonder how this electronic stuff is going to go for the masses that just want to “pull the rope” and cut wood… Some dealers have very low aptitude and ability to troubleshoot.
Can you say battery saw?

Ouch!

 

[SCHallenger]

Try Denso fellas. W22MPR-U

I knew of a J'red dealer a few years back who swore by Denso plugs.

 

[SCHallenger]

My 201 has a standard carb. He he, no solenoid to deal with, only the *!#%$!!?& rev limited coil to bug me. Thanks to Kevin, I can now tune it pretty well.

 

[RedFir Down]

Try Denso fellas. W22MPR-U

Where is a good place to purchase? Shirt, sometimes I can’t find a dang rim sprocket…

Rockauto has them for $1.62 each.

 

[cuinrearview]

Rockauto has them for $1.62 each.

That's not too much more than I get them for.

 

[redlight066]

We stock handles and manifolds for those saws. You can get the complete top handle with wiring for the MS201TC. I saved the original wiring, and just used the shell a couple of weeks ago to save the guy some money. Used some words I haven't used in a long time.
Replaced the manifold on one Monday. Pretty easy. Ordered three more for stock.
Anyhow, most that I work on have been dropped, or run over. Like 80%.
I have had one bad ignition module, but that was a couple of years ago.

Had one that would set on the mat and run fine, but when you picked it up it cut off. Cracked manifold.

I've had multiple coil failures in the last year or so, specifically the V3 module. That being said, 95% of my customers are tree services, so I work on a lot of 201's. There's a "new and improved" V3 module. PN 1145-400-4713. Maybe it will last. Time will tell.

 

[redlight066]

New coil is on top. Only visual difference is the small print on the back side of the housing with the proper part number. Side facing forward when you remove the starter housing shows no way to differentiate from the previous version.

 

[redlight066]

And FWIW, these ignition modules die slow. Runs great, shuts off randomly (once a week, then once a day) and will restart. The frequency increases over weeks of operation until it may only run for a minute or less before it dies.

 

[ZeroJunk]

I've had multiple coil failures in the last year or so, specifically the V3 module. That being said, 95% of my customers are tree services, so I work on a lot of 201's. There's a "new and improved" V3 module. PN 1145-400-4713. Maybe it will last. Time will tell.

That is good to know. I posted a photo Monday on AS of what I had in line for repair. I like to post photos otherwise people will use the forum factor LOL. Anyhow, other than those Mosquito Squad blowers, a couple of pole saws, and that MS201 with a torn manifold it is either homeowner, firewood cutter, or landscaping/lawncare. 50% is either flooded or not pulled enough. Four or five stopped up carbs. Rope pulled out. Typical.
There is one TS440 in there that is going to be a learning curve. Our actual tree service stuff as far as what comes in is likely 15% or less.

 

[bogieboy]

Doesn’t the coil version have to match the solenoid version? I’ve only worked on a 661c and the ‘Kit’ contained the coil, solenoid and fuel filter.

According to stihl, yes.... according to my testing? Nope doesnt matter... currently have a v3 261 with black solenoid. Coil died, and i parts swapped all sorts of stuff trying to chase it, ended up using a v3 coil from a 362 and it fired and ran great second pull, even on the v1 solenoid...have also swapped 201t carbs feom black/white/green noids interchangably for a tree guy local to me, he has a pile of parts saws and tells me make this one run.....LOL