53 Jubilee new coil question

[bfonda]

Narrowed down my starting issues to a bad coil. Just got the replacement in the mail.

Small problem. Old coil labeled the posts "Batt" and "Dist".

New one is labeled + and -

With all the positive ground confusion, I don't know how to wire it up.

Help please....
 

[John T]

Good question, here's my answer, see if others agree???

If its a Positive ground tractor: - terminal is fed voltage from ignition switch, + terminal wires to distributor
(where it gets its Positive ground when points closed)

If its a Negative Ground tractor: + terminal is fed voltage from ignition switch, - terminal wires to distributor
(where it gets its Negative ground when points closed)



John T
 

[Den N Ms]

Bfonda,On a positive ground tractor the + side of the coil goes to the wire that comes from the distributor.
The wire that comes from the switch goes to the= side of the coil.
 

[old]

That is an easy one. Look at it this way the distributor grounds the ignition circuit so if your tractor is + ground the + side of the coil goes to the distributor if - ground - to the distributor
 

[bfonda]

Thanks for the timely replies. I got it installed last night but it still wont catch.

I have power to both the new coil and distributor but its not getting spark to the spark plug. When I put the charge detector on the distributor, it does not flash when I crank it. This seems to indicate a distributor problem, but when i took the cap off everything looks brand new. The rotor also turns when cranked and the cap is off. New cap?
 

[rvirgil_KS]

Are your points making contact? At wire from coil to side of distributor you should see battery voltage with points open and near zero volts with points closed.
 

[bfonda]

I have an inline spark detector i usually use for the spark plug. I hooked it up between the coil and distibutor and cranked. I got no spark indicator. Doesnt make sense if brand new coil.
 

[Bob]

[fixerupper]

Check to make sure Power is coming from the key switch. If there is power, Turn the engine so the points are closed with the ignition off. With points closed, turn ignition on and open the points with a screwdriver. The screwdriver should not touch anything else, only the points. You should see a little spark in the points and the big wire coming out of the coil should snap a big long healthy spark when the end of the wire is held close to metal.

No spark when you try this? Then leave the points closed and short the screwdriver blade across the moving arm of the points and the stationary part of the points. If you get spark this way with the points closed the points aren’t making contact. If no spark look very close at the nut on the end of the points spring. Something might be grounding there. In fact, check this area first.

It’s a very simple rudimentary way to check the points out. If you are jumpy about sparks flying around this might not be for you but it’s the very first thing I do when there is no spark coming out of the coil. It’s quick and easy and doesn’t require fancy testers.
 

[old]

I run into that problem all the time when working on tractors and 99% of the time the point either need to be cleaned or replaced. Points work like an on off switch for the ignition circuit and if there dirty and do not conduct power the coil cannot fire because you have an open circuit and you cannot see if there good or bad with your eyes you have to be 1000% sure you get a small spark at the points when you open them by hand
 

[bfonda]

You make a good point. I don't have a key ignition only a toggle switch. I can't seem to be able to tell the difference whether its on or off, the engine still turns over either way.
 

[old]

Here is a simple almost no brains needed test to see if the points etc. are good. Run a hot wire from the ignition side of the battery as in non-ground side to the ignition side of the coil. Touch the wire to the coil then back off again. You should get a small spark when you do that. No spark means bad points or the points are open
 

[souNdguy]

[John T]

Looks like you need to work through my Ignition Troubleshooting Procedure. Its easy and requires no expensive or fancy test equipment, maybe just your eyes and/or a simple test light or voltmeter


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

John T
John Ts Ignition Troubleshooting

 

[John T]

Try this

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

John T
John Ts Ignition Troubleshooting