8N wont fire

[Uncle Bob]

When I try to start my 8N the engine will turn slowly less than one spin...no where near trying to fire. If I try again immediately, all I get is the click of the starter solenoid. I wait a while and the same thing happens. Have replaced almost all elctrical parts, Tractor started and ran earlier in the year. The problem started when after driving tractor and turning it off it wouldn"t restart until sitting awhile...now problem is much worse.

any advice??

 

[Bob]

Dead battery.

Weak battery.

Poor battery cable connection/defective battery cable.

 

[old]

All of what Bob say and maybe a weak starter

 

[Bruce (VA)]

It is important for you to tell us if your tractor has a 6 volt or 12 volt electrical system & if the distributor is on the front of the engine or on the side. The troubleshooting is different based upon the configuration of your engine.

Ditto what Bob & old said......make sure the cables & all connections are clean & tight.

How old is the battery? Get a $5 hydrometer & check out the battery (tip # 49 at the link below) or remove the battery & take it to the local auto store; they should be able to test it.

Please be sure to post back & let us know what the fix was. We all learn something if you tell us what worked!
50 Tips

 

[souNdguy]

Ditto what the others said.. bad ground.. bad connections.. bad cables.. bad battery.. etc..

soundguy

 

[Uncle Bob]

thanks for the tips...
6 volt front mount. All the following are less than 1 year old: Batterey+cables (correct cables),starter, starter solenoid, plugs, wires, rotor, cap, wiring harness.

could it just be bad connections??? ran fine in early spring but sounded like it cranked a littl slow.

thanks

 

[Bruce (VA)]

Yep, it sure could be & probably is just that. Take both the cables off, inspect them & clean everything (post, connectors & the block where the positive cable connects) bright & shiny.

It could also be a bad battery. I've got one in my 1951 N that's been there since April 2000 & the one in my 1950 went bad in 34 months. Luck of the draw I guess!

Post back w/ results.
50 Tips

 

[cyclone38]

I had a similar problem. Take the distributor off and make sure the points are open and measure the ohms between the points. If you don't have a volt ohm meter, just get a cheep one at Harbor Freight. It should be "infinate" if it goes to "zero" (or close) there is a short. Mine was the insulator around the brass screw the coil pigtail set in. I had to have the distributor rebuilt.

Good Luck!

 

[Bruce (VA)]

I don't think there is any similarity between his problem (the engine will not crank) and your problem (no spark). Unless you had other problems in the distributor, a rebuild was not necessary for a bad insulator. A bad insulator can be repaired w/ a 59 cent plastic screw retainer available at most hardware stores or by replacing the breaker plate itself.
50 Tips