8N Key Switch

[Caryc]

Tried to start the 8N the other day and it acted like it would when not getting a good connection somewhere. I even used a jump starter and it turned over great but no sign of it getting spark. Anyway, I used a meter on the key switch and could not get a beep while checking for continuity. So, I pulled the switch and off to Napa I went. Of course they did not have one exactly listed for the 8N but they did have a universal switch that matched my old switch perfectly.

I have not installed the new switch yet since it's been too cold and windy to mess with it. But, I do have a couple questions maybe you guys can answer. First of all, does that old switch look like an original switch? That old switch only had two key positions, vertical or one position to the left for on. This is the way it's been for the last 20 years. Did the original 8N switch have two two positions beside off?

The new switch has two position besides the off. Key vertical=off. key to the left=two of the back screws have continuity. Key to the right of off and all three screws have continuity.

This means key to the left and you have running tractor. Key to the right and you can have tractor and lights. Trouble is that the off is in between so if it getting dark and you want to switch on the lights you have to switch back to vertical first so the tractor shuts off. Then switch to the right and start it again with lights. So, I'm sure this can't be an original switch. Kind of strange huh?

On my MF202, one position to the right and the tractor runs, one more switch to the right and the lights come on. This is the way I figure my 8N should have been.

 

[JMOR]

Cary, I'm reasonably sure that the original switch had no screw terminals, just pigtail wires coming out of it and two positions, but if not restoring for show....................
Me, I would wire the two switched terminals together & that way no need to remember anything but center is OFF.

 

[Tim PloughNman Daley]

You may have a bad switch, but I'd say you have other wiring issues. The OEM Ignition Switch used cloth-covered, rubber insulated wires with bullet-nose connectors, no
screw terminals. There are only two positions -ON and OFF. Avoid the cheaper vinyl covered wires, they will fail fast. Spend the extra $5 for the cloth-covered one.
Get your ESSENTIAL MANUALS and read religiously. Get an OEM new exact switch, and then go thru entire wiring. Jump starting can fry something if you don't know how to
do it correctly. Do you? What system are you using, 6V or 12V? It matters how it is wired for each.

8N WIRING DIAGRAMS:

EARLY 8N IGN SWITCH IS MOUNTED ON LOWER LH DASH, SHOWN IN LOWER RH IN THIS VIEW:

WIRING PICTOGRAMS by JMOR:

6V/POS GND DIAGRAM, AFTER S/N 8N-263844 BUT FIRING ORDER IS CCW, CW SETUP WAS AFTER THE NAA:

ESSENTIAL MANUALS:

Tim Daley(MI)
8N IGNITION SWITCH EXACT AS ORIGINAL

 

[Abbby]

Can be bought on this site.

 

[Abbby]

 

[HFJ]

excellent choice. that switch is an exact replica of the switch in my 2N [i:018c4bd16b][b:018c4bd16b]and[/b:018c4bd16b][/i:018c4bd16b] my WD. twice as good.

 

[jimtrs]

(quoted from post at 18:28:09 02/26/23)
This means key to the left and you have running tractor. Key to the right and you can have tractor and lights

Lights really shouldn't be wired through an ignition switch. Puts undo amperage through the switch when running lights. Can lead to premature failure of the switch if not rated for that amperage. I would wire a separate fused light switch from the always hot side of the terminal or resistor block.

 

[rvirgil_KS]

Center off, left accessories, right run.

Some guys use the accessory to excite #1 pin on delco alternator. When key turned off it does not feed through to run side so alternator does not feed through to coil and keep tractor running. Can use this option with alternator in place of diode, lamp, or resistor to prevent run on when switch is turned off.

 

[Hobo,NC]

NOTE KS6040 on bottom. Make sure the key stays in switch when in on position.

 

[Eman85]

https://forums.yesterdaystractors.com/viewtopic.php?t=1603375&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=ignition+switch&start=0
Here's the link to my recent thread about replacing my ignition switch on my 8N.

 

[HFJ]

Make sure the key stays in switch when in on position.

the key stays in the ones YT sells. ida been very unhappy if it had turned out they didn't.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 05:27:02 02/28/23)

Make sure the key stays in switch when in on position.

the key stays in the ones YT sells. ida been very unhappy if it had turned out they didn't.

I was referring to the better switch Napa 6040, 6041 not the garbage tractor parts sites sell.

 

[HFJ]

why would you need to check whether the key stays in a non-garbage switch?

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 17:57:13 02/27/23)
why would you need to check whether the key stays in a non-garbage switch?

What better time to check than before you install it? I guess you've never heard "better safe than sorry". Could one switch be defective and let the key pull out in the on position?

 

[Hobo,NC]

Take it as my tip of the day.

BTW its printed in the description, key is removable in the on and off position.

This post was edited by Hobo,NC on 02/27/2023 at 05:34 pm.

 

[HFJ]

What better time to check than before you install it?

before you [i:09a84b16d8]buy[/i:09a84b16d8] it. see below

Take it as my tip of the day.

BTW its printed in the description, key is removable in the on and off position.

well, if and when i ever have to replace my cheap switch, i'll be sure not to get one of those. that 'feature' is a dealbreaker for me. i asked about the behavior of the cheap switch before i ordered them. if the key could come out with the switch on, i wouldn't have bought them. when the key is in my pocket, i know the ignition is off. i like that.

 

[Caryc]

(quoted from post at 18:31:36 02/27/23) Take it as my tip of the day.

BTW its printed in the description, key is removable in the on and off position.

This post was edited by Hobo,NC on 02/27/2023 at 05:34 pm.

On my new switch, the key is only removable in the (middle) off position.

 

[Hobo,NC]

(quoted from post at 09:15:52 02/28/23)

What better time to check than before you install it?

before you [i:c0c028a062]buy[/i:c0c028a062] it. see below

Take it as my tip of the day.

BTW its printed in the description, key is removable in the on and off position.

well, if and when i ever have to replace my cheap switch, i'll be sure not to get one of those. that 'feature' is a dealbreaker for me. i asked about the behavior of the cheap switch before i ordered them. if the key could come out with the switch on, i wouldn't have bought them. when the key is in my pocket, i know the ignition is off. i like that.

One day you may find the key is in the switch and in the on position and the switch is at fraught.... Its a pattern failure of those garbage switches, I doubt you will like that.

If you read the notes an interchange of the part number list a stitch that works as reported and can be picked up local... You gotta like that.

I did not make the failure of those cheap switches up, they earned their reputation : (.

 

[Caryc]

One more question. I think the two wires to my switch are 18 gauge. Is this adequate?

 

[HFJ]

(quoted from post at 07:58:52 02/28/23)

(quoted from post at 09:15:52 02/28/23)

What better time to check than before you install it?

before you [i:715aa54216]buy[/i:715aa54216] it. see below

Take it as my tip of the day.

BTW its printed in the description, key is removable in the on and off position.

well, if and when i ever have to replace my cheap switch, i'll be sure not to get one of those. that 'feature' is a dealbreaker for me. i asked about the behavior of the cheap switch before i ordered them. if the key could come out with the switch on, i wouldn't have bought them. when the key is in my pocket, i know the ignition is off. i like that.

One day you may find the key is in the switch and in the on position and the switch is at fraught.... Its a pattern failure of those garbage switches, I doubt you will like that.

If you read the notes an interchange of the part number list a stitch that works as reported and can be picked up local... You gotta like that.

I did not make the failure of those cheap switches up, they earned their reputation : (.

i didn't say anything about your assessment being fictional. my point was simply that to me, any switch, no matter how well-made or expensive, that allows the key to come out while in the on position is garbage to begin with. that was all.