I have a craftsman riding mower 16hp model # 917.257572. I'm having trouble starting it because there is no spark and I wanted to know how to test the magneto. I have already disabled the safety switches and there's still no spark.

A little tricky... you have to make sure ALLLLL the safety and kill wires are disabled... if you have done so and there's still no spark... you have just tested the magneto and its bad. P.s. try not to kill your battery :P

O.k. Remove The Blower Housing And Gain Access To Your Coil. There Is A Small Black Wire That Plugs In To The Bottom Side Of The Coil. This Is Your Kill Wire. Remove This Wire, Then Check For Spark. If You Have No Spark After Doing This , Then Your Coil Is Bad.