WICO Magneto's

For starters, as John T pointed out, with no snapping sound as the magneto coupling rotates you likely have a broken impulse spring. They are the same for a Wico C and XH (it sounds from your description like you have the XH), so you will have to replace that. I expect if you search the archives here for impulse spring replacement or something like that you will uncover the many previous posts on that topic.

Regarding a good source for magneto information, you might consider JDs Service Manual SM2029, which covers (briefly) their operation, as well as wiring diagrams, starter and generator info, etc. for 2 cyl JD tractors. It is available from JD publications at 1-800-522-7448, or check eBay as they show up there. If you wish to go deeper, check eBay for magneto repair manuals and you will find much reprinted stuff available.

Jim, is there voltage present on either of those wires you mention when you turn on some sort of an ignition switch????? Does it not have voltage when you turn off some sort of an ignition switch??? Are there any labels on the mag??? Do you even have any sort of ignition switch???

John T

We still dont know what he has, but if it is an XB distributor you gotta help him cuz I havent messed with them very much

John T

It's not the coil that is recharged but the magnet can be recharged. It takes a magnet charger designed of 2 coils that is capable of doing that along with charging blocks and it done with the magnet out of housing and with the magnetic rotor in housing and impulse removed. More harm than good can be done with small chargers. The alnico magnets in the Wico C & X will benefit from recharging but seldom will lose all the charge. It is usually other problems with the mag that have to be corrected and not just a magical recharging.

To get a good blue spark off the coil you need: good condenser, good smooth clean points contacts set at .015", good coil, good bearings, good proper functioning impulse and clean wiring connections. If the bearings are worn or sluggish not letting it spin fast enough or the impulse parts are worn or hanging up or spring is broke or weak in impulse it will be weak or no spark. The impulse should let it trip or snap and let it spin faster at starting speeds and then not trip once it has started.

If you have good blue spark at coil look at replacing the rotor or cap. Spark plugs should be a non resistor type with a magneto and wires should be the stranded metallic core wires and NOT the carbon core type.

If the sparks weak at cranking RPM does the mag make a loud sharp SNAP or a faint dull clunk??? If she would pull start n fire right up n run well and the mag snap is weak n wimpy when your starting it, I would suspect its more of a weak mag spring or a failing spring wind n trip assembly then the rotor needs recharged. If she snaps loud n strong if you bend a wire or paper clip from the mags metal sides to within 1/8 inch away from the coils side output button/terminal a good visible blue and NOT a faint thin wimpy yellow spark ough to jump that gap each time the mag snaps, does it????? ?

If the sparks weak there check the points and the gap and replace them if badly burned or pitted or carboned up. If good but only gray oxide coated, non abrasively clean/buff/polish them by passing a dollar bill or shop cloth etc between them.

Once you get a good strong blue spark there, inspect the cap for moisture, dirt or oil or cracks or carbon traces and repair or replace as needed. Then use good wire core NOT carbon core suppressor type wires and try new plugs n see how they spark then????? ????

Good luck n God Bless, let us know

John T