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Farmall & IHC Tractors Discussion Forum
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hard starting Super A

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john koritansky

01-22-2004 05:40:29




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My Super A runs fine, no smoke, no misses. However, in temperatures below about 35 it does not want to start with the starter motor, even though the starter motor does turn the engine over pretty vigorously. If I crank it by hand, it starts right up. Also, once in a while, just as I am letting go of the rod that attaches to the starter button and as the engine is still truning, it will fire and start. It's as if I don't quite have the amps to run the starter motor and still fire the engine. The battery is up; I've installed a new 6-volt alternator which works great. I put in new plugs, and new distributor wires. I haven't changed the points or condensor. What's likely to be the problem? Do I need a tune up kit? Or is my starter motor weak? Leaking current? It's kinda cold arround here to be cranking by hand! I'ld appreciate any advice/guesses.

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john koritansky

01-22-2004 06:02:24




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 Re: hard starting Super A in reply to john koritansky, 01-22-2004 05:40:29  
Wow. Thanks for your PROMPT and helpful reply, Jonathan. So, if the starter is drawing too much, would I need to have the starter rebuilt? Thanks.



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Bob M

01-22-2004 07:29:55




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 Re: Re: hard starting Super A in reply to john koritansky, 01-22-2004 06:02:24  
Your description leads me to believe you've got a weak spark problem - probably caused by a weak or mismatched (12 volt) coil. Suspect what's happening is the coil is providing an adequate spark on full 6 volts, but fails to provide a sufficient spark on the 4 volts or so it gets while cranking. This is why the engine sometimes fires the instant you release the starter switch, and why it fires up easily when hand cranked.

It's unlikely the starter is drawing excessive current. If it was the engine would crank very slowly or not at all. Also the starter would overheat (and probably begin smoke) after only a few seconds of cranking.

A couple quick tests:

1 - If you have a DC voltmeter place it across the battery terminals and observe it while cranking. If it reads no less than about 4 volts while cranking the starter is not drawing excessive current.

2 - Pull the center cable from the distributor cap and attach it to a good spark plug. Lay the plug on grounded metal. Now turn on the ignition and crank the engine with the starter while observing the spark at the plug. If you see a lazy yellow spark, intermittent spark or no spark at all you've got an ignition problem. (You should see a hot, blue spark each ½ revolution.). Now have an assistant hand crank the engine while observing the spark plug. Chances are you'll now get the hot, blue spark when hand cranking.

Assuming it is an ignition problem the first thing I'd do is replace the coil with a new 6 volt coil. And while you're doing that spend a few $ for new points and condenser.

Hope this helps...

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Hugh MacKay

01-22-2004 06:39:00




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 Re: Re: hard starting Super A in reply to john koritansky, 01-22-2004 06:02:24  
John: While I can't very well disagree with Randy, at least not completely, I do see something else. You say the starter turns quite vigorously, poor starters don't do that with or without good cables or battery. Jonathan's test will confirm these things, but I think I allready see the answer. Your ponts and condencer are poor and need replacing. Also take a good look at your rotor and distributor cap. Not being able to deliver power will act much the same as not having power.

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Randy in NE

01-22-2004 06:11:03




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 Re: Re: hard starting Super A in reply to john koritansky, 01-22-2004 06:02:24  
Re-building the starter may be part of the problem. If you haven't replaced the battery cables in the last couple of years you may want to try that first. As Hugh MacKay has said many times on this site you need good heavy duty cables of 1 or 0 gauge. I did this on my '50 C and it spins it over just about as fast as the 12 volt system does on my other C.



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Jonathan Mirgon

01-22-2004 05:54:05




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 Re: hard starting Super A in reply to john koritansky, 01-22-2004 05:40:29  
It sounds like your starter may be pulling to much aperage, and thus causing the ignition system lack of power which is resulting in a no spark condition ( If you have distributor ignition). A good way to test this theory would be to get an extra 6volt battery, set it aside on the ground and connect two wires from the extra battery to the positive and negative terminals on the coil, Then crank the tractor as you normally would, if it pops right off, that would indicate that the starter is pulling to much apperage, if it still starts hard it is another problem. Good luck

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