wire to key switch shooting sparks and burned

[ann Budzinski]

I have a Farmall 560 (gas) tractor. When I turn the key to the on position sparks shoot and burn the wire. Both wires going to the switch read "hot" on the OHM meter. Any suggestions???
 

[John B.]

Let's take this one step at a time.

1. What terminal are sparks flying from?
2. Where do these wires go to?
3. Replace the switch if terminal is loose.
4. Let us know what you find.
 

[John B.]

1. There should be a hot wire coming from your amp meter to the "bat" terminal on your switch.

2. There should be a wire from you "ign" terminal on the switch to your + side of your coil.

3. There should be a wire from the "S" terminal on the switch going to the starter relay/solenoid "S" terminal.

If it's burning your wire as soon as you turn it to the "on" position you have a hot wire going straight to ground somewhere. what I've described is the most basic wiring on any early model gas engine. There may be more wires but this should keep you from burning your wires.
 

[souNdguy]

ditto what's been said.

also.

to say it again...sparks mean loose connection.. and burning wires mean a dead short.
 

[John B.]

Yep and dead short can also cause loose wires once the terminals have been heated from the dead short!
 

[ann Budzinski]

Thank you so much John. I determined that both wires to the ignition switch were hot! I have started rewiring the entire tractor! I'm have way through now. Every time you'd move a wire it would crack in several places (50 years old). Also, the mice wreak havoc after harvest. When I took the body parts off there was a huge rats nest on top of the rocker cover...par for the course on the farm. Thanks again for replying to my question. Have a great rest of the year!!!