Odd Starting Problem on Kohler engine

Craftsman 917-271131, CV16s Kohler engine. Last several weeks, mower has died and needed to cool down a bit before it would re-start, then finally, no start at all. Using an ignition coil test light, I could see there was not spark. Assumed (I know, stupid) it was the ignition coil, as it looked pretty old, so I replaced it. Still no spark. Shined up the magnets on the flywheel, cleaned contacts on coil wires, still no spark. Then, with the cowl off, I was inspecting the coil wires for breaks. I hit the start key, and it started! Problem was, I had forgotten to reconnect the coil wires! By process of elimination, I have found that if I leave the yellow wire that comes from the Spark Advance Module off of the coil, the engine will start. Does anyone have an explanation for this?

CV16s-43527. The replacement coil to bypass the same is 12-707-01-S. It's $130. Probably buying a new mower next season, so I'll probably limp this one through this season with the yellow wire unplugged.
 

I had already read that post. Mower runs, just not with the power it would normally have. I put on the non-Spark Advance coil on it, and removed the SAM. I'm just going to limp it through the season and get a new mower next year.