8n wont start

jrichards · Jan 25, 2010

i have a '52 8n tractor. last week while cleaning my drive way it started to loose power so i stepped on the clutch and it regained power, so i nursed it back to the garage. Now it wont start. when i hit the starter it doesn't make a sound just sets there. the battery is fully charged , fresh gas and oil , has spark. could it be the started soilonoid or something to that affect . any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

Pacific Pete · Jan 25, 2010

Check your battery connections, Pay special attention to the ground cable, and make sure the connection is clean, and tight to the battery and the frame of the tractor.
Battery connections need to be clean , tight and in good condition, for the current{high AMPS} to flow to the starter. Pacific pete

tthopskin@yahoo.ca · Jan 25, 2010

jrichards said:
i have a '52 8n tractor. last week while cleaning my drive way it started to loose power so i stepped on the clutch and it regained power, so i nursed it back to the garage. Now it wont start. when i hit the starter it doesn't make a sound just sets there. the battery is fully charged , fresh gas and oil , has spark. could it be the started soilonoid or something to that affect . any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

if you have help have a tester and see if juice is coming yo the starter when you hit the starter

LAWALLSTRACTOR · Jan 25, 2010

From what you explained (loosing power) it sounds to me like you may have more of a problem than just a starter. I would turn the ignition switch on, put the tractor in high gear, tow the tractor, and pop the clutch and see if that will start the tractor. The loosing power sounds like you may have some internal engine or fuel problems with the tractor. Let us know what you find.

wnymudd · Jan 25, 2010

I had a similar problem on our Jubilee over the summer. Turned out to be a coil that went bad. Was out mowing and just quit.

dqdave1 · Jan 25, 2010

If starter won't turn over engine; how do you know you have spark? First; figure out why it won't turn over, cables, ignition switch, starter, etc. That would be problem # 1. Chek distributor for cracks, corrosion; check rotor; check points; check spark plugs, clean carb out. If it just lost power without backfiring, may be a dirty carb. Coil could be another problem.

tommu56 · Jan 25, 2010

jrichards said:
i have a '52 8n tractor. last week while cleaning my drive way it started to loose power so i stepped on the clutch and it regained power, so i nursed it back to the garage. Now it wont start. when i hit the starter it doesn't make a sound just sets there. the battery is fully charged , fresh gas and oil , has spark. could it be the started soilonoid or something to that affect . any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks.

I'm sorta confused if it dosen't turn over how did you get spark?

clean off all the terminals as others have suggested once you get it turnng over check for spark at a plug.
search 8n's ther has been a couple of threads on it.

tom

beenthere · Jan 25, 2010

You will get some very good help here, but will need to know a bit more history than rec'd so far.
Past work done, general condition, other burps and findings, battery age, knowledge of the 8N....all will help.

For sure, sounds like the loss of power and "doesn't make a sound" are two different problems.
Charge up the battery, do the terminal cleaning, and get the starter working first. Can drain the fuel bowl, decide if it is getting fresh gas, and be ready to check out some basic things after the battery is fully charged.
Feed us some more info, pls.

Diamondpilot · Jan 25, 2010

Is it possible something in the engine let go and now it will not turn over due to it being locked up?

I am with the others in how you determined it has spark without it turning over?

Chris

banjodunn · Jan 26, 2010

G'day have you tried turnig it over with the clutch disengaged? It is possible that something may have locked up in trans

Jon

banjodunn · Jan 26, 2010

G'day have you tried turning it over with the clutch disengaged? It is possible that something may have locked up in trans

Jon

J_J · Jan 26, 2010

It is really simple to get spark and not turn the engine. Spark is generated when the points open, so turn the switch on, and use a screw driver/plastic to open the points.

When you apply voltage to the coil, a field is built up in the primary, and when you open the points, the field collapse into the secondary, which generates the high voltage.

dqdave1 · Jan 26, 2010

You are correct on getting spark as you indicated, but I do not think the OP did this. OP just needs to clarify a few things and this forum will help him get it running.

the bear · Jan 26, 2010

checking for spark is easy if it doesnt turn over take the dist cap off and with ignition turned on open the points with a screw driver they should snapif the points are in an open position roll it over by hand until they close and then try . have you tried rolling it over by hand , you have two diffrent issues here the loss of power and now wont crank over,you could take the starter off and bench test it with a set of booster cables to see if it runs or as one of the boys has already mentioned pull it to see if it starts the loss of power could also be incorrect point gap, more info i needed to get an accurate pic let us know how you make out

J_J · Jan 26, 2010

Th problem started with the tractor running, had nothing to do with starter, so the logical problem would be coil heating up, capacitor, sticking points, valves, fuel, etc. Now, the other problem pops up, no starter. The two are probably not related, but do check all the wiring connections. If a jumper battery, connected directly, does not start the starter, then you do have a starter problem.

Soundguy · Jan 26, 2010

I question whether the bat really is good or not.. no starter now.. no clicks... since the ignition runs on electrons.. a dead battery would account for a power loss.

a simple flash charge on the battery at no load on a volt meter doesn't mean the bat is good unless it can be tested under load. Under 4.5v on a 6v battery with starter engaged is not good.. double that for a 12v system.

original poster.

is this 6v or 12v

front or side distribuiter

key to start non oem solenoid, or oem thumb switch safety start button and oem 3 terminal solenoid?

what's bat voltage at coil primary with points open and closed?

have a resistor in line?

soundguy

Elmer Schmidt · Feb 3, 2010

Soundguy said:
I question whether the bat really is good or not.. no starter now.. no clicks... since the ignition runs on electrons.. a dead battery would account for a power loss.

a simple flash charge on the battery at no load on a volt meter doesn't mean the bat is good unless it can be tested under load. Under 4.5v on a 6v battery with starter engaged is not good.. double that for a 12v system.

original poster.

is this 6v or 12v

front or side distribuiter

key to start non oem solenoid, or oem thumb switch safety start button and oem 3 terminal solenoid?

what's bat voltage at coil primary with points open and closed?

have a resistor in line?

soundguy

I had a 51 8N and with a little wear on the ring gear they were famous for the starter locking up, they made very little sound when you hit the starter. To free it up I used to loosen the starter bolts and rock the tractor in high gear. As far as the engine loosing power -I would be looking at the condition of the points, water in the gas or the condition of the plug wires and the dist. cap, You didn't mention whether or not you were in the rain/snow when it was dying. The distributor isn't fully covered by the engine hood, so water drips off the hood right on to the dist. Good luck hope I was helpfull. Those tractors are fairly simple and easy to work on.
Elmer