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(Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK!

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Dave Manley, NY

03-18-2002 04:54:18

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I recently got my 8N that I purchased last May running about 4 weeks ago. It had sit for about 3 years. Ran great. Let it run for about an hour, changed the oil again ran for another hour. Spent the next three weeks working on the honey do list. Finally last Saturday I spent 6 hours getting things put back togehter put new rear tires on etc... Went to start tractor and run it for a bit to warm the Trany oil so I could change that and be all ready for Spring. And then No spark! (@%!#($&~!) I had not changed anything with the ignition system. I don't understand how I can go from spark to no spark in 4 weeks. Can anyone give me a flow chart of what and how to check to find the problem. Everything with regards to the electrical system is new except the distributor itself. I have 6 volts to the top of the coil. I think personally that I may not be getting good contact from the coil to the distributor/cap. But I fussed with it for a few hours and still no spark. I searched the archives and the only idea I came up with is to test the coil. Any help is appreciated.

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Fred Mellini

11-12-2005 20:25:11

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Hi, Had the exact problem with my father's 1952 ford 8N, was running fine and then would not start. I was getting no spark to the plugs. I replaced the coil, cap, rotor, condensor, plugs, plug wires, new battery, neg and pos cables, and even the resistor and ignition switch with no luck. I then went to a New Holland dealer and spoke with the parts guy who recommended replacing the small metal clip that is attached to the distributor shaft that the rotor fits onto. He stated that sometimes this metal clip becomes worn and causes the rotor to fit "sloppy" onto the shaft and causes the motor to run poorly (miss-fire, etc)
Long story short, I replaced this metal clip (about $1.00) and the tractor fired right up and runs great.

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ArtH

05-23-2005 09:03:12

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Did anyone ever measure the primary coil resistance? Mine measures 0.5 ohms, but I"ve seen data that says it should be greater than 1 ohm. BTW, mine doesn"t work either. I"ve jump started the tractor several times with 12 volts, and wonder if this caused the coil primary to short.

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Chuck Stokes

03-19-2002 18:37:23

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Had the same problem with my 8N a couple of times. One problem I had was traced to a Cold/Hot situation with the coil. The tractor would run fine (winter months for Snow Plowing) then just quit with no spark. The condensation that gathered as it warmed up killed it dead. Had to completely dry the coil before it would run. This also happened even when it sat without running and the air changed in the shed from cold to warmer. The coil got wet (more than you think) and went straight to ground. Also check the small resistor (white ceramic with a wire wrap that looks like a small pen spring) up under the dash on the ignition switch. Mine looked good, but did not function. Absolutely no spark. Bought a new one, installed it and had no trouble since. (except with the moisture on the coil that is. A new sealed coil fixed that. Good Luck!

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PJ Niner

03-18-2002 19:10:51

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Dave,
You almost surely have a bad coil. I went through the same sequence and believe me when I say you can go from spark to no spark in a lot less than four weeks. I did from Saturday to Sunday. I fooled around with all the stuff these guys have suggested, took my distributor off twice and inspected it on my well lit kitchen table, tested for spark with a meter and by the tried and true visual method, grounded to the block. (It's not the key switch BTW, if you have voltage at the coil) Nada. My son caught me fumbling around and asked what I was doing. I told him and he took his Fluke and in seconds told me my coil was "open"... er, that's bad, Dad. $38 dollars later I was firing strong. Then he asked me, "What's in this box, Dad?" Uh, well looks like that spare coil I squirreled away last summer, son. I have been through about three coils in the last couple of years, not sure why. I also recently lost the ballast resistor and suspect it might have cost me a coil. Good Luck with yours... PJ Niner

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Dave Manley, NY

03-18-2002 20:30:03

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Re: Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to PJ Niner, 03-18-2002 19:10:51

I will be picking up a new coil this week as it must be the culprit. Thanks to all for the pointers. My education with this tractor is still ongoing.

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curtis-mt

03-18-2002 18:40:05

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Don't feel alone, my 9n did the same thing last saturday and I'm still troubleshooting the cause. Thanks to all of you for the tips. I really appriciate it.

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Dave Manley, NY

03-18-2002 17:15:06

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

I just realised that I am missing the gasket that goes between the distributor and the engine block. That would not cause a failure to get spark would it? I assume it is just to keep moisture out. What do you guys think?

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Danny in CO

03-18-2002 08:36:09

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Dave,

IF this is a front mount distributor, check the voltage at the top of the coil with the points open and then again with the point closed. You should get battery voltage with the points open and about 3.5 volts with the points closed. If the voltage doesn't change, check the points and make sure they are opening and closing. Check the metal strip from the points to the condenser contact. Make sure the points are not shorting out. Make sure the spring on the bottom of the coil is contacting the condenser contact. Check for moisture in the dist. cap.

HTH,
Danny

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Bill-AZ

03-18-2002 07:51:45

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Dave, I just went thru the exact same thing last week. My problem is I dont have the smarts that all of these other guys do! I cant tell you how to test for the problem (my stupidity) but I can tell what I did to get mine running. I had recently changed points, plugs, cracked dist cap, (my supplier gave the the wrong condensor so it didnt get changed). When mine died last week it also turned over but no spark. I opted to get the correct condensor, and change out the coil. I was told that if black goop leeking from the coil shows that its shot, mine did not do this but it looked original and might have been tired. I also noticed that the connection to the dist just didnt look right. Anyway, made these changes, and the old girl fired right up! I doubt I helped but that was my experience. Good luck!
Bill-AZ

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Dell (WA)

03-18-2002 07:38:57

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Dave..... ...6 volts at the top of the coil would generally mean your ballast resistor and ignition switch are good BUT it also means your coil could be bad or the ignition points brass strip is broken. Check the springy thingy under the ignition coil (streach it a little bit). Unbolt yer distributor and inspect in the comfort of your well lighted kitchen table....er....warm shop....er....well.....you get the idea..... .Dell

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8n in mn

03-18-2002 06:07:56

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Dave, when the tractor was parked, was it covered with a tarp? I've had problems with condensation when our tractor has been parked and covered with a tarp, especially when the outside temperature bounces above and below freezing. Before changing out parts that used to work, check them for moisture. Most likely culprit is the distributor cap.

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Tom-Pa

03-18-2002 07:03:01

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Re: Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to 8n in mn, 03-18-2002 06:07:56

UH, isn't the voltage to the top of the coil supposed to be about 3.5 volts or thereabouts?
Just wondering
Good luck
Tom-Pa

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Dave Smith

03-18-2002 15:42:32

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Re: Re: Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Tom-Pa, 03-18-2002 07:03:01

6 volts would be with points open. 3.5 with points closed.
Dave <*)))><

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bj/8n/mt

03-18-2002 05:56:35

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Although flow charts may exist for this trouble I have never seen one. Maybe someone else can help you there.

Six volts at the top of the coil tells you part of the story--your primary wiring is intact. Next thing you need to know is does the voltage vary as you turn the engine over. From six volts to around three point seven would indicate the internals of the distributor are making and breaking. If it stays constant start looking for opens at the fiber washer, the copper strip that conncects the points, the coil spring on top of the coil, etc.

Six volt front mount coils are allegedly pretty fragile and can be toasted by leaving the key on or the way I did it--hitting it with forty amps of battery charge with the key on for a couple of hours. I keep a spare known good coil and a known good condensor around to trouble shoot with.

More than likely your trouble just decided to happen that day and if you remember you are smarter than the tractor you will get it running.

Your mileage may vary

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MikeC

03-18-2002 05:34:01

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Re: (Never heard this problem before) 8N NO SPARK! in reply to Dave Manley, NY, 03-18-2002 04:54:18

Is your distributor front or side mount? If it is front mount, I would swap the coil for a known good one to narrow it down. I would check the points, condenser and the contact wires inside the distributor. Also check the key switch just in case.

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