How to test coil/distributor cap/points/condenser

[perryjosh64]

Folks running down possible electrical issue with tractor but having trouble finding how-to test the coil/distro cap/condenser/points? Any links, past posts or instructions would be appreciated.

 

[rustred]

have you did the check that was given to you yesterday? need to go step by step elimination, you did not reply on cleaning the points, checking the gap, and checking for spark. we need a starting point.

 

[the tractor vet]

Well he could wet his fingers and with one hand hold on to a good ground and with the other hold one of the plug wires while someone cranks it over . OUR do like and old timer did to me one day . He made sure HE was NOT grounded and grabbed me by my shoulder WHO WAS GROUNDED while i was pushing the starter button cranking the engine over . This happened while tryen to get a big old gallion grade started with a UD 18 I H engine with a MAG Yep it did have real good spark .

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 12:43:11 12/17/20) Well he could wet his fingers and with one hand hold on to a good ground and with the other hold one of the plug wires while someone cranks it over . OUR do like and old timer did to me one day . He made sure HE was NOT grounded and grabbed me by my shoulder WHO WAS GROUNDED while i was pushing the starter button cranking the engine over . This happened while tryen to get a big old gallion grade started with a UD 18 I H engine with a MAG Yep it did have real good spark .

 

[John T]

Perry, if you work through my Ignition Troubleshooting Procedure linked below, it can help find the cause of no spark be it Points or
Condensor or other issues. Maybe a 6/12 test light or volt meter OR JUST YOUR EYES is all you need. Give it a try.

Soooooooo often the cause of no spark is dirty or burned/pitted points which a good clean up may cure but if not a new set is in order.
Check them and their gap first thing !!!!!!!!!!!


http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=farmall&th=5745

John T
John Ts Ignition Troubleshooting

 

[perryjosh64]

rustred- think you are mistaken me for a post John-MI posted on similar subject. However because of your comment I went looking for the "why" of it, found his post and seems we are having same issue. Based on some of ya'lls posts reference "should not have constant power on neg terminal (coil to distro side)" and I do guessing problem with the points?

 

[perryjosh64]

John T- thanks I will give it a look see and see what I can figure out. I recently changed the sparkplugs and tried the hotwire thing and still tractor would crank/run for 20-30 sec then die. after multiple attempts would crank/run for less (10-15sec). Did the test with test light with key on. lights up to pos post of coil AND lights up on neg post of coil. When I hit starter button/attempt to crank neg post of coil light is constant/dims while engine turns over but does not "blink". based on what others have said guessing issue with point? condenser? Again I look through your link to hopefully figure out how to test condenser and points.

 

[SVcummins]

 

[SVcummins]

 

[Bret4207]

(quoted from post at 04:06:55 12/18/20)
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67439.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67440.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67441.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67442.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67443.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67444.jpg">

<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto67445.jpg">

Well done! What book is that out of?

 

[perryjosh64]

Well got back after it. Im still working on learning on how to check/set points. However if I followed instructions right, I did find a number of faults. To test coil I pulled wire from distributor and put it next to tractor iron but got NO spark. Using multimeter ohms setting I checked the coils low voltage primary winding and showed 0 so assume its bad/open. When I applied test light to coils low to distributor side and turned tractor over light never blinked, just dimmed some but stayed on.
Next did ohms check of condenser. Put one probe to hot side and other to casing= no reading. Swapped probes and still NO change/reading.
Sssooo I assume both coil and condenser are bad. Still got to figure out how points work and how do I check/set.

 

[JMOR]

(quoted from post at 23:40:44 12/21/20) Well got back after it. Im still working on learning on how to check/set points. However if I followed instructions right, I did find a number of faults. To test coil I pulled wire from distributor and put it next to tractor iron but got NO spark. Using multimeter ohms setting I checked the coils low voltage primary winding and showed 0 so assume its bad/open. When I applied test light to coils low to distributor side and turned tractor over light never blinked, just dimmed some but stayed on.
Next did ohms check of condenser. Put one probe to hot side and other to casing= no reading. Swapped probes and still NO change/reading.
Sssooo I assume both coil and condenser are bad. Still got to figure out how points work and how do I check/set.

top trying to use Ohmmeter....you are not getting any information from that. A voltage or current reading & maybe a simple 6v/12v light bulb will serve you much better......before you spring $ on new parts.

 

[perryjosh64]

Well folks after all that ended up being bad points. After much trial and error (more error) coil ended up being fine and assume the condenser is to since currently everything is working. Have not actually worked it for any period of time just had it running at idle and work throttle. I do thank all for the help and advise it was very informative and educational.
I will ask has the manufacturing changes regarding condensers? The reason I ask is per advise and numerous YouTube videos and posts say you can test condenser with multimeter on ohm setting? However I followed instructions but got no reading with either digital or analog multimeter on the old condenser or the new one??