Mower will not start

Our John Deere L100 riding mower ran out of gas. After we added gas, it will not start. It turns over and over and over. I replaced the spark plug for good measure and verified it is sparking. It will only start if I am spraying starter fluid in the carburetor but will not stay running unless I continuing spraying it with starter fluid. I verified that the solenoid is working. I have removed the carburetor several times since this problem started to check it. I tried first just spraying it with carb cleaner. Then I soaked it and ran a thin wire through the small ports to be sure the were clear. Nothing seems to be clogged from what I can tell, yet it still will only turn over and over and over but will not start. I know the carburetor fills with gasoline each time that I put it back on and try to start it since I have to drain it each time I take it off.



If the ignition coil wasn't putting out enough charge, would it start when sprayed with starter fluid? Is the power coming from the ignition coil something I need to check with a meter even or is it just a spark or no spark situation?



What else do I need to check? What all might cause the problem I am having? I am fully prepared to buy a new carburetor to put on it, but I don't want to do that until I am sure there isn't something else I am missing. If it was something like the timing or ignition coil, it wouldn't even start with starter fluid, right?



Help please?!?