father inlaw paid a wad to have this thing repaired. It ran fine for a day then would not run over an idle. I figured the tank had not been cleaned so did that, added a fuel filter and disassembled and cleaned all the jets and ports of the carb.

today I am trying to start it and all I get is "almost start". Even starting fluid has no effect.

If you try the pull start and forget the compression release It will rip you arm off and not go past TDC. Using the release, pulls through fine.

I am thinking something of a pain in the a.. like an ignition module. It has one I assume that does ignition advance right?

 

Best thing that I can suggest, download a parts manual from <mymowerparts.com>. Blow back thru all vent lines, make sure gas is getting to the carburetor. Use the compression release if you pull start. The bigger models have a compression release on the camshaft that automatically releases compression. My AC 400 starts easily, but you know you are not pulling a 50cc chainsaw, the AC500 that I had really pulled hard. How does the spark plug look? If it has a switch for reserve, turn it to reserve, mine run out of gas at 1/2 tank if I don't switch to reserve. I don't think it's an ignition module. Check for spark at the plug, if ok and you have gas going to the carb, might want to clean it again and blow out the jets again. Check operation of the float and the little float needle. These tiny carburetors are very fussy for old or bad gas.