(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Farmall M wont start

F

Farmall Zach

New User
I have a Farmall M that i have been restoring and last week the starter went out on me so i went ahead and got a brand new one. Well when i put it on and tryed starting it, the thing just will not start. Its cranking but not turning over. I checked and im gettin power to the ignition coil and everything. And the weird thing is the day the old starter went out it started up fine. So what could i do?
 
Is it getting fuel to the carb?
Does it suck hard on your hand if you put it over the carb inlet? Is it charged enough to make good spark when it is cranking? Is the ignition switch in good shape? What else was changed at the same time? is there ice in the air cleaner bowl? Start with fuel, and move up the list above. (by the way (with respect) cranking and turning over are the same thing, starting, or trying to fire sputtering or not firing at all help us diagnose the issue. JimN
 
Yes it is getting fuel to the carb and it does suck in your hand. And yeah i charged the battery and even tried jumping it with the 6 volt battery charger that i have. I has a start setting on it. The only things i have replaced is the ignition coil. Because everything else is in good shape. Like i said the day the starter went out the first time it started up just fine then once i put that new starter on it just wont
 
This does seem to be odd from a parts-change standpoint.

I usually like to start with a slug of fuel somehow introduced into the carb or intake tract. An alternative is the miracle fog - starting fluid but go very easy on that.

Any coughing and attempts to run for a couple of moments indicate you have a spark and timing is correct.

If you just get a wet spark plug (after removing it) then likely a spark problem.
 
But do you have a good white/blue spark at the plugs and will that spark jump a 1/4 inch gap. If you don't all the gas in the world will not work. You need fuel, spark and compression all at the correct time for one to run. You say you have fuel and I'll guess you have compression so spark is all that is left. Did you by chance leave off a wire when you installed the new starter. Or maybe brake or pull one off not meaning to
Hobby farm
 
You didn't say if you have a dist. or a mag.
If it it battery ign. with dist. and starter switch on the starter check the wire from starter to box on steering post.
 
You need to see if there's fire to your plugs. Pull off a plug wire and have someone make an attempt to start the engine. If there's no fire and this is a distributor you should have battery voltage on both small terminals on the coil with the ignition switch on and points open. If there's voltage here remove the coil wire from the cap and hold near a good ground while someone snaps those points open and close a few times. Need the switch on. If there's no fire change the
condenser and rub those points with some 320 wet or dry. hal
 

OP said he replaced the coil.

If you wire the coil backwards you'll get a weak spark and the tractor won't run.

If you get a 12V coil with internal resistor by mistake on a 6V system, you'll get a weak spark and the tractor won't run.

Do the old trick your dad taught you with the lawnmower: Pull the plug, put it back on the plug wire, lay it against the engine, and crank it over. If you get a bright blue spark, it's on to the next piece of the puzzle. Weak and yellow, and you've got your problem narrowed down.
 
The starter could be wired to run the wrong direction. The polarity would not matter. Look at the fan to see if it is sucking air through the radiator, or incorrectly blowing! JimN
 
We have a similar problem with our M. It died on the auger one day and wouldn't start for nothing. Everthing seemed and sounded ok until we took the valve cover off. Not one of the valves are moving. The motor still cranks over just like nothings wrong. I havn't torn it down yet but the cam or the timing gears have to broke.

Might be something to check. Hope your problem is simpler than mine. Nick
 
A coil wired up one way or the other does not make much difference as to the type of spark only the way it jumps so that would have little or no effect. I have had more then one tractor that had the coil hooked up back wards and they ran just fine
Hobby farm
 
Is the rotor turning? I think the M's are bad for cam gear failure. The Super M gear may be a better choice. p/n 6760DB. This place may have a good used gear. 1-800-360-8529. Hal
 
The rotor still turns, it actually still has spark so I kinda think the gear is good and the shaft is broke. I also have live hyd. pump that put extra stress on things. I'll post again once I get it apart. Thanks for the contact.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
ih234 Ignition switch starting issues HELP!
Replies
5
Views
270
used red MN
U
K
Farmall M charging issue - must rev engine for charge
Replies
12
Views
551
Turkeyfoot
Turkeyfoot
R
H magneto no spark after tune
Replies
12
Views
299
560Dennis
560Dennis
R
Need help with Farmall M 12V wiring
Replies
17
Views
439
used red MN
U
R
Ford Jubilee won’t start
Replies
10
Views
344
Jim L WA
J
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top