1940 TD-6 no spark

dboz · Feb 8, 2011

I inherited a working 1940 TD-6 (orchard tractor) used to disk an orchard. I have very limited knowledge with this tractor, but excellent reference manuals and this forum. This has allowed me to keep it running for a few years, however, not this time. I"m not getting any spark throught the ignition system. I replaced the spark plug wires (solid core, napa), mag (Fairbanks Morse)rotor, cap cover, and carbon brush, still no spark. I"m not sure where to go from here, any suggestions? Thanks, Dave

old · Feb 8, 2011

Been years since I messed with one. Does yours have a wire going to the mag for a shut off?? If it does take that wire off and see if your problem goes away. If it does go away then you have a short in the shut down circuit

dboz · Feb 8, 2011

Yes, there is a wire to the mag, I removed it and turned the engine and still no spark. I also checked to see if the mag cutout switch in the manifold was stuck, it wasn"t. Thanks, Dave

old · Feb 8, 2011

Well if you still have no spark with the wire unhooked about the only thing that can cause your problem is the points are not set as they should be or are corroded or the mag is bad

dboz · Feb 8, 2011

Ok, I'll check the points, maybe the coil is bad?

1349 · Feb 8, 2011

file the points in that mag and see what happens.

El Toro · Feb 8, 2011

If cleaning the points doesn't help check the magnets for magnetism using a flatblade screwdriver. If you have battery start on your tractor you can convert your mag to a distributor using an auto type coil and the points in your mag. Hal

old · Feb 8, 2011

Yes coil could be bad or a wire in the mag is shorted to the frame. Or maybe even where the shut off wire hooks up the insulation part of that could be bad and causing your problems

dboz · Feb 8, 2011

Thanks Old, I'll check those. If I find the problem and solve it, I'll let you know. Dave

sflem849 · Feb 8, 2011

(quoted from post at 12:31:28 02/08/11) Yes coil could be bad or a wire in the mag is shorted to the frame. Or maybe even where the shut off wire hooks up the insulation part of that could be bad and causing your problems

Doesn't the OEM book have the piece where it hooks to the manifold that says, "if your MD won't run on gas this is probably your issue"? But if he unhooked the wire at the mag that couldn't be it.
I would touch the mag and have somebody try and start the tractor. Don't do this if you have a pacemaker :shock:

dboz · Feb 8, 2011

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your comments and assistance with my TD-6 no spark problem. I was able to eliminate a number of potential causes except for the mag itself. I finally removed the magneto and discovered a broken impulse spring. It's in for a rebuild. Thanks again, Dave

sflem849 · Feb 9, 2011

...I replaced the spark plug wires (solid core, napa), mag (Fairbanks Morse)rotor, cap cover, and carbon brush, still no spark. I"m not sure where to go from here, any suggestions? Thanks, Dave

Ouch, I hope that was a spare mag not a rebuilt one you swapped out! I know my Stover mag was majorly pricey to rebuild.

1940 TD-6 no spark

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