IH 460 wont start

[Soundguy]

i already told you to simply hotwire the coil in post #8

if you aren't going to follow advice.. there's no point in continuing this diagnostic....

I can't help you if you won't follow thru....

Ok, so tried testing the spark plugs... no go. No spark. I have one idea that doesn't make complete sense, but I though I would check back here before I tried anything.I have the resistor hooked up through the push button switch, so the plugs might not be getting any spark if the button isn't being pushed???? But even still, while I'm pushing it, I don't get a spark either. So I have no idea what it could be. Also, I'll ask again. Do I need the alternator hooked up to make it start? I didn't think so, but I figured I'd ask again.

Here are pictures of anything, if you see anything odd that sticks out, please say so. Please excuse the rough wiring, most of the crampon connections that were there came off because I've been pulling everything off to check for different problems, and trying different things. Attachment 298594Attachment 298596Attachment 298597Attachment 298598Attachment 298599Attachment 298600

Also note the wiring diagram, with what I'm using for wire colors, and what "parts" I don't have.

[kbforester]

i already told you to simply hotwire the coil in post #8

if you aren't going to follow advice.. there's no point in continuing this diagnostic....

I can't help you if you won't follow thru....

Sorry sound guy, I'm flustered so I didn't make it clear in my posts (after your post #8), that I have tried everyone's advice thus far to no avail. I hot wired it as you said, and I still got no spark. I thank you all for helping out, and I will try to be more complete in my own re-posts in the future.

[Soundguy]

if you hot wired the coil and got no spark, then you need to do the following.

start with hot wired coil.

check voltage with a meter on the wire to t e coil.. should be battery volts. check the wire leaving the coil going to t he distrib points. it should be bat volts points open, and 0 closed. roll engine over to test.

if it shows 0 all the time.. check the condensor, it may be shorted.. or check the feedthru insulator it may be shorted to the distrib housing.

if it shows bat volts the entire time, check the points to ensure they are gapped properly and can close, and check the smal wire or metal tab running from feedtrhu insulator over to the points.. sometimes it is a copepr flat , uninsulated wire and cracks from vibration.

if no help.

unhook coil from distrib..

use a test lamp from battery to side of distrib and roll engine over.. lamp should BLINK.

if lamp off.. then no ground thru points or wire broke in distrib.

if lamp stays on, something is shorted at points hinge, feedthru insulator, wire in distrib, condensor, or on spot on the breaker plate that SHOULD be isolated.

post back

[kbforester]

Make a Jumper wire with an alligator clip on each end. Remove all wires from the coil + side. Tie them back or tape the ends so they can't touch any thing. Connect the jumper wire between the + terminal of the battery and the + terminal of the coil. Pull the end of the coil wire (thick black wire like spark plug wire) from the center of the distributor and hold it about 1/4 inch from a clean metal surface on the engine. Crank engine and check for a spark that will jump.

Ok, so I tried this while I was outside, and I couldn't see any spark, but by chance I ended up touching the end of the wire while I touched it to metal, and shocked myself. So by curiosity, I brought the battery and the coil down in the basement with the lights off, and I could see spark. Is it supposed to be that weak? And same for the plugs? If so, the plugs might be getting spark.

Another side question... the IH 460 came as a factory 12v system, but when I ordered the new coil it had "universal 6 volt" on the side and of course it came with the resistor. Does the hotwire pass through the resistor first, then go to the coil? Or doesn't it matter at the moment? Because right now, and according to the wiring diagram, it looks like electricity can bypass the resister. I don't know what I'm talking about though

[kbforester]

if you hot wired the coil and got no spark, then you need to do the following.

start with hot wired coil.

check voltage with a meter on the wire to t e coil.. should be battery volts. check the wire leaving the coil going to t he distrib points. it should be bat volts points open, and 0 closed. roll engine over to test.

if it shows 0 all the time.. check the condensor, it may be shorted.. or check the feedthru insulator it may be shorted to the distrib housing.

if it shows bat volts the entire time, check the points to ensure they are gapped properly and can close, and check the smal wire or metal tab running from feedtrhu insulator over to the points.. sometimes it is a copepr flat , uninsulated wire and cracks from vibration.

if no help.

unhook coil from distrib..

use a test lamp from battery to side of distrib and roll engine over.. lamp should BLINK.

if lamp off.. then no ground thru points or wire broke in distrib.

if lamp stays on, something is shorted at points hinge, feedthru insulator, wire in distrib, condensor, or on spot on the breaker plate that SHOULD be isolated.

post back

Ok SoundGuy, I'll give this a shot as soon. I've got the battery on the charger again.

[Soundguy]

for testing.. bypass the resistor.

in practice.. loose the resistor and the stupid 6v coil and get a real 12v coil...

[kevinj]

i already told you to simply hotwire the coil in post #8

if you aren't going to follow advice.. there's no point in continuing this diagnostic....

I can't help you if you won't follow thru....

Soundguy,

Look at the points, they look open to me and the block is between the lobes. It will not spark that way.

I think he needs to back to basics and start over with the simple stuff.

[Soundguy]

which is why i told him how to use a test lamp.. and or check voltages. that will tell him if his points are closed/shorted.. or too wide / open.

the info's all there waiting for him...

[kevinj]

which is why i told him how to use a test lamp.. and or check voltages. that will tell him if his points are closed/shorted.. or too wide / open.

the info's all there waiting for him...

You put out plenty of info, just wanted to be sure the point issue was noted. I have seen many people mess up the point settings.

[Soundguy]

the 'test lamp' test definatively tells you about the points state... it's a no brainer...