John deere 170 won't start cranks there is spark and fuel backfires after trying to star it th flywheel key is in good shape.any suggestions

Check the igniter it's the little metal thing on the side of the motor has a couple of wires coming to it.

check the igniter its the little metal thing on the side of the motor has a couple of wires coming to it.

Yep!

Do you no where about I can look.I replaced the selonoid at te bottom of the carb thought that was the ignitor but I guess not.I seen a metal thing there that has a white wire going to it.dont see nothing that has several wires going to it.

It's a little silver thing has one male end on it,

Well got a new ignitor and put it on same thing still won't start just cranks and backfires.

Make sure its gounded to the engine

Well I looked into it and the cause as that the one valve was stuck ha to take apart and fix it.

Good job glad you got it fixed.