Oil & Fuel Ford 3400 Gas Engine won't start

Grey Eagle · Mar 24, 2014

I was blading our road when the tractor started sputtering and then died. Thinking it had simply run out of gas like it has before, I got some gas and poured in the tank. I cannot get it to start. If I continue to hold the key in the start position, it will run, but quits immediately when I release the key.

Thanks in advance!

john_bud · Mar 25, 2014

It sounds like the ignition switch is bad. I would get the ohm meter out and test it. They do fail and are not that expensive.

It could also be a loose wire so put that ohm meter to use!

jimmysisson · Mar 25, 2014

Does this have a ballast resistor before the coil? If that is open, no juice to the coil: no run without key in Start position, bypassing the resistor.
Jim

jimmysisson · Mar 25, 2014

'Course that's not why it died; could have been low on gas.
Jim

City Farmer · Mar 25, 2014

When was the last time you changed the points? 5yrs ago my 3000 started chugging and just died, it wouldn't start again for nothing in the world. It ran great pulling the disc up until that moment. Towed it to the barn, changed the points and I've never had a problem again. The contacts were worn completely off.

Grey Eagle · Mar 26, 2014

john_bud said:
It sounds like the ignition switch is bad. I would get the ohm meter out and test it. They do fail and are not that expensive.

It could also be a loose wire so put that ohm meter to use!

Thanks to all for the replies! I think it might be the ignition switch. My auto mechanic who lives near me stopped by last night and ran a wire from one of the terminals on the switch to the battery and it stayed running. I am going to the big city today for a few days and will try to pick up an ignition switch.

john_bud · Mar 26, 2014

Grey Eagle said:
Thanks to all for the replies! I think it might be the ignition switch. My auto mechanic who lives near me stopped by last night and ran a wire from one of the terminals on the switch to the battery and it stayed running. I am going to the big city today for a few days and will try to pick up an ignition switch.

Good to hear it's a simple and quick fix... once you get the part.