John Deere B - Magneto Testing

[BWWALKER08]

I recently acquired a 1948 John Deere B, Serial# 228613. I cannot get any spark to attempt to fire and believe it could be an issue with the Magneto. The Magneto is a Wico Model X, Spec# XH1042, Serial#
XC061653. I would like to have the Magneto tested to make sure that it is the problem, but there isn't anybody local that knows how to test them. Does anybody know a place that i can send it to have it tested?

 

[Bob]

Mags aren't "rocket surgery".

Remove the "cap", then burnish the breaker points by repeatedly drawing a piece of "cardstock" through them (points closed), then with points "open", clean off the residue with spray electrical contact cleaner and allow to completely air-dry, then check for spark again.

This will fix probably 75% or more of mags that won't spark after not being used for a while.

 

[BWWALKER08]

Thanks for the info. It has been sitting for 25 years, so that is likely most of the problem.

I would still like some info on who i could send it to, in case this still doesn't solve my problem.

 

[teddy52food]

Check your E mail. Thanks.

 

[old]

I have a 1935 JD-B and every time I fire it up I have to clean the points but I also do not fire it up very often. Been at least 2 year since I have fired it up. But I do spin it over every time I get close to it to make sure it does not lock up

 

[CharlesTx]

Just recently worked on my xh1042 mag. Not an expert but I did learn a thing or two. You should not file the points, use a business card between the contacts with the mag on low load. Keep your old condenser, most new condenses are no good. If cleaning your points does not yield a good blue spark that will jump 3/16 inch do not stop with the points, the tractor may not start. This is how I solved my spark issue. Place a paper clip in one of cap screw holes and place the end approx. 3/16 from the coil button. If you get a blue color spark that jumps the gap the coil, points and condenser are likely good. If not stop and fix the issue. I put in new points, still had to clean the new points. Still would not start, the spark was weak from the coil, so I replaced the coil and cleaned the mag behind the coil. Use a brass wire brush to clean. The coil fixed my no start issue. You can test the cap by using the paper clip in each plug wire hole again place 3/16 from mag and look for blue spark. Once you have spark at the cap, test the plug wires by removing plugs and ground against frame, again you should see a consistent blue spark. Hope this helps.