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New Farmall can't get it started again, please hel

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Tanner Clark

12-06-2004 04:47:51




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Man, what a long long trip it was to New York and back. We left at 2am Saturday and made the trip in one day, but we did it. Ok so here's the story. It is a 1944 H with wide fron end and loader. I got there, and the guy was pretty cool, however he didn't know much about tractors, let alone Farmall's. It took a while to get the thing started, and finally it did, however it only would run for like 5 minutes and then shut off. I don't know what this means? Anyway, it had everything done to it like the forum's say not to do, alternator, voltage regulator, wires everywhere. I knew that I could rewire everything once I got home. The loader worked fine, and all the other things worked fine too. When we got home we went to sleep. I got up the next morning, made breakfast, and then proceeded to unload the tractor. I couldn't get it started, and still never did. Here come some diagnostic questions. After killing the original battery while trying to crank it over I went and got a new one from Wal-mart, a 750 - 650 cold cranking amps. Anyway, I killed that one too. So I returned it, and got a new one that I have not tried to use yet. Prior to killing the 2nd battery, I took out and cleaned the plugs and gapped them to .023 spec. Took apart the dist and cleaned out all kinds of stuff. Right before the 2nd battery was completely dead an explosion occurred, but this was normal because the motor was sputtering and popping. The explosion seemed in a different place though, closer to the battery than were it had been popping from the carb. So I went and got the new battery, I hooked this only to the starting switch and the starting motor, nothing happened. I am wondering if something shorted out in the starting switch, ignition switch, battery wires, etc. So I think the best bet is to buy all new wires, battery and such, to put it back to an OEM 6volt system. I think I have all the parts to do this. The emabarresing thing is that I had to tow the tractor off of the trailer. So it is sitting in front of my house right now. It has to be moved prior to X-mas because of family coming. I am wondering what I need to do now to get this bad boy running again. The other problem, is that it has to run to get the loader back into the air so I can at least tow it if need be, I can't right now because it would tear everthing up in the driveway, not to mention the bottom of the loader. Puzzled?

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Tanner Clark

12-07-2004 04:22:12




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Thanks guys. Yes I do know that you can recharge a battery, however I didn't have the time to do this I had to get the tractor off of the trailer. Yes it has gas in it, and yes I believe it has some sort of resistor between the battery and the coil, however I have never seen this type of set up. I am thinking about just gettting all new parts, switch, coil, resistor, and check the stuff in the back of the switch box. Anyway, I have a carb and Dist. rebuild kit, so I will do those as well. I also have new plugs, and wires. So I think I will first check the starter motor out, and see if that is fried, and then proceed with putting everything else that is new onto the tractor. I will be getting a battery charger, but I hope to get this work out by changing everything out. What type of resistor's do you guys reccommend, because I want to get the correct kind so that I don't destroy anythign else on this H??

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Ed Hotaling

12-06-2004 17:03:27




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
The only thing I didn't see mentioned was the valve clearances. I have a '47 H that would only start if towed (literally) a quarter of a mile or more, but when it did start, it seemed to run OK. After seeing the tip of the day here on YT that suggested setting the valve clearances, I checked mine. I was surprised the thing ran at all when I saw where they were at. The tractor now starts like a new one and has a bit more power.

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Richard Fazio

12-06-2004 13:03:47




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Tanner, Where in NY did you go to pick it up? I'm in NY. We should get something going where some that's interested in a tractor far away can get someone else on this board to take a look for him. Anyway, lots of usful info in the prior posts. Another quick thing I've done to move my backhoe when she wouldn't start. Crank the engine and pull the lift lever. As simple as that up comes the bucket. If you have to crank a lot pull the plugs. She'll crank easier and faster, the bucket will slowly come up. Post back with where your at so we can help you diagnose it.

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Farmall jim 10

12-06-2004 13:14:35




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Richard Fazio, 12-06-2004 13:03:47  
Does this tractor have a resistor to the points if not running 12 volts to coil will burn points in about 5 minutes.



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Harley

12-06-2004 09:38:40




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Just a quick fix to get the thing back of the garage for Christmas. We used to do this at home when we had to. Manually jack up the loader bucket a couple of inches or enough to get a chain under it, run the chain up to the frame rail, then pull back on the hydraulic lever like you were raising it if it was running while someone pulls you around. If you can get up enough speed in fifth, the loader will come up as the pump is turning, and wala the loader is off the ground. This will at least get it off the driveway and yard before you tear something up and the wifey takes your Christmas present back to the store. Later, Harley

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JBlavl

12-06-2004 09:16:48




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Just out of curiosity did you know that batteries could be recharged or do you not want to spend money on a charger?



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captaink

12-06-2004 08:44:59




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Just want to reiterate what others have said.

Starters- 12 Volts will not ruin a 6-volt starter, but long cranking time (regardless of voltage) will. I’ve been staring my M on 12-volts with a 6-volt starter for over 20 years, 15 of them in the winter (including days at -20) on a daily basis. I never burned out a starter, but did have to replace starter drives.

Second, check spark from the coil. Bright blue at least ½ inch from the high tension lead to a ground. If good there, pull a plug wire and make sure spark is good there. I would also recommend a complete set of new spark plugs as they may be fuel soaked and not sparking properly.

Third, make sure it’s getting fuel and has compression.

Try to start the tractor without choking. If it has fuel, and spark, it should start. As others have said, use starting fluid sparingly, if fuel is dripping from the bottom of the carburetor, it is probably flooded. Open the throttle half way or better and leave the choke off. You should get a pop or something.

Post back and let us know how you are getting along.

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El Toro

12-06-2004 07:45:21




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Hi Tanner, Eric gave you some good advice on some basic procedures so you can troubleshoot your
problem. Once you have checked the ignition, fuel
and compression it should start. I think you may have cooked the starter too. Moisture is a killer
on those engines with the conventional points. We had more trouble starting tractors when it was damp or foggy than when it was cold. These tractors were always sheltered too. Hal

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Andy Martin

12-06-2004 05:44:01




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
You've had some real good advice except for the idea that 6 volt starters won't hold up under extended 12 volt cranking. That is simply not so. I would think a long time before returning a tractor to 6 volts. I've gotten a lot of 6v starters hot over the years and only occasionally burned up a starter. I work several M's, all on 12v with 6v starters and don't have starter problems. This includes the occasional extended cranking when out of gas or other small problem that you fail to identify because you use the tractor all the time and it "should start". Had an ignition switch go bad this year and put lots of miles on the starter figuring that one out. It would make contact sometimes and not other times. It takes a lot less amps at 12v to turn the engine than it does at 6v!

None-the-less, if a tractor won't start in five to ten seconds turning over, you need to look at what may be wrong.

It may have old gas in it as well. If you can control yourself, a LITTLE starting fluid will tell you if you have a fuel problem unless you're flooded. NEVER try to keep one running with starting fluid as it will dry the oil off the cylinder walls. If you can't give it only one or two half-second shots of starting fluid you are better off leaving the starting fluid at Wal-Mart.

You may have the starter drive hung up in the ring gear. Pull the starter off, make sure it is turning free, and put it back on. If the starter was hung up, it gets hot quick and may need to go to the repair shop if you were holding the starter switch on with no cranking taking place.

Get a battery charger. Draining a battery does not ruin it.

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CNKS

12-06-2004 08:17:25




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Andy Martin, 12-06-2004 05:44:01  
I'm in total agreement on the starter. I have probably cranked for far longer than 5 seconds with a 12 volt battery/6 volt starter repeatedly on both an H and M. The idea that you ruin the starter with 12 Volts is in my opinion a myth. But, you can ruin any starter by cranking long periods of time.



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Sloroll

12-06-2004 05:33:54




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Did you bring it home through all the rain the N East has been getting? If so you may have some moisture in the electronics. It can cause spark to roll to a noncompression cylinder. Make sure all is dry. The electrical system on an H loves moisture anyway, at 55-75 mph There may be water anywhere. Just been there is all.



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Brian in NY

12-06-2004 05:25:21




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Well, if it were me, I would be thinking fuel. You are in time well enough....did it run good or real rough when it ran for 5 minutes?

I assume you have checked the gas tank.

EXPLOSION? Doesn't sound good to me at all.
Like others have said don't bother cranking for more than about 5 seconds at a time. A lot of these old tractors that have been converted to 12 volt still have the 6 volt starter and putting 12 volts to it for more than 5 seconds or so will kill it. Don't be surprised if you cooked the starter...hopefully it will still be ok for ya.

Is there fuel in the sediment bowl and the tank?
I assume the petcock on the sediment bowl is open?

Take the carb off and go through it....I bet you find some garbage in there.

Once you have that all done try starting it as Allan recommended....use the choke very sparingly.
My H only needs the choke for about 1 revolution...these chokes mean business!

Do you have another tractor? If so maybe you can pull up beside your H and hook the hydraulic line into the other tractor to get the loader off the ground to allow you to tow it out of the way....
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress or lack thereof.

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souNdguy

12-06-2004 05:07:38




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Pull a plug wire and see if you are getting spark when it is turning over.

If it is, next check to see if it is getting gas to the carb.

If it started and ran for 5 minutes and died, the float may be stuck, and either letting it flood out (stuck open), or letting the bowl go dry ( stuck closed - but letting some gas seep thru enough to get it started and run for 5 mins etc.. ).

All you need is air, fuel, spark, compression and near correct timing.

If it does spark.. try to see if it will start on a very small amount of ether.. or even wd-40 sprayed at the carb mouth.. if it starts fine on the wd-40 or ether.. might be a fuel delivery problem.. or woefully weak spark.

Soundguy

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EricB

12-06-2004 05:03:25




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Point #1: Killing batteries only puts a lot of wear on your starter. If it doesn't show signs of starting right away don't keep winding it over. Point#2: I would consider dirty fuel. Blow out your fuel line from the carberator backwards so you dont pack dirt into the carb. Flush the tank and install a inline fuel filter. You may have to disassemble the carb if the fuel was real dirty.
Point#3 It takes fuel and spark to have combustion. Pull off a high tension wire and see if you have spark to ground. If not you may also have to change points and condensor. (consider distrib cap and rotor too) If it was running the coil is probably Ok.
I would do a compression check as well.
Next time do all ths before you pay the $$$ and put it on the truck.

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rustyfarmall

12-06-2004 05:02:23




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Did you look in the gas tank?



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Allan in NE

12-06-2004 04:56:15




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Tanner Clark, 12-06-2004 04:47:51  
Gee Tanner,

You're startin' to depress me! :>)

Are you chokin' this tractor? Hs just can't stand a lot of choke; none really to get 'er to pop.

They start best by pulling the throttle to 2/3 open before you crank cold. Then, when it sputters to life, feather the choke just a little to keep it going and to get it somewhat warmed up.

It must be somewhat in time or it wouldn't have started to let you load the darned thing.

Allan

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Frank DeWitt

12-06-2004 08:22:44




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 Re: New Farmall can't get it started again, please in reply to Allan in NE, 12-06-2004 04:56:15  
It sounds like there are a lot of things just a little bit wrong (It started hard but did start before the trip tells me that)

Getting an engine running and running right is just troubleshooting. one thing at a time until it runs.

4 requirements

Fuel Compression
Timing
spark

The good news is each one can be checked separately. It ran not long ago so it has fuel (but as others have said, it could be dirty or have a dirty filter. The 5 min run points to a dirty filter) I would use fresh gas and a new filter before going any further.

Compression, It ran so it has it. might be low, That makes it hard to start but once you get it running you can check that.

Timing you can put the tractor in high or use the crank to turn it over and watch the points open, look at the timing mark and see what the timing is.

This will get you close, then once it is running you can tweek it.

Spark. Others have told you how to check for it. Problems are wiring and cleanliness. The dist cap, inside of the dis, and the coil and wires need to be clean and dry.

The low voltage side sounds suspect. I would disconnect all the wiring and hot wire it. Battery to ground good heavy clean connection
Battery to starter same
Battery to coil (disconnect the tractor wiring to the coil and replace it with a temporary one of your own. now you know you have volts to the coil. no wiring, no switches, no charger, nothing else to worry about until it is running right.

(Remove this wire to stop engine)

There should be a wire (low voltage, not spark plug) from the coil to the distributor. Leave that wire, or if it is messed up, replace it also there should be a condenser connected to the points. is that there? is it clean?

As some one else said, you need a charger, A 10 amp will do. but you have to have one to trouble shoot and to bring the battery back up after the tractor has been sitting a long time.

Frank

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