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Ignition switch

A

Albo5000

Member
How does the ignition switch work. Will the starter still turn if the switch is not pulled out? Should the lights still work when the switch is pushed in.
 
On at least the letter series, starter and lights work. On my 460, I believe the lights work, the starter has to have the key on.
 
Don't you have a separate rod or button to push when cranking the engine? I had one of those tractors back in the 70's. The ignition switch just supply's battery voltage to your ignition.
It may feed voltage to your lights. You probably can spin the engine over without the ignition switch on if it is still original. Hal
 
Right now I can spin the starter by pulling the rod connected to the starter switch with the button in or out regardless. What i'm really curious about is [i:c54a6dd008]should[/i:c54a6dd008] i be able to spin the starter, turn on lights, or even start (and keep running) the tractor when the switch is pushed in? If the switch is pushed in, doesn't that defeat the purpose of a kill switch if the tractor runs?

I am just hoping that i don't have to replace the [i:c54a6dd008]entire[/i:c54a6dd008] electrical system.
 
The starter, switch, and lights are all separate. You can turn the lights on without pulling out the ignition switch. You can spin the starter without pulling out the ignition switch. As El Toro mentioned, the ignition switch just supplies voltage to the ignition system.
 
You didn't say which tractor you have. As some one else said, "assuming you have a letter series", yes you should be able to spin the starter if the ignition switch is pushed in. Yes you should be able to turn on the lights if the ignition switch is pushed in. No you cannot start the tractor if the ignition switch is pushed in. Your statement about a "kill" switch needs further explanation. Letter series tractors don't have "any such" switch. If your tractor has a magneto, then what you may be calling a "kill" switch still looks like an ignition switch but now functions as a so-called "kill" switch. If a "kill" switch is pushed in, the magneto will not function. If the "kill" switch is pulled out, the magneto will function. Is this clear enough? And no you do not have to replace the entire ignition system!!!
 
huh,is this your first tractor? that rod is manually operating the starter so if batt. is good engine will crank regardless of ign. switch being on or off.550ron has a clear explanation.
 
You should see if you have battery voltage at your coil with the points open and the ignition switch pulled use a volt meter or test lite. The starter is a separate circuit as it just cranks the engine. You should be able to hand crank that engine and start it when the ignition switch is pulled. Make sure the tranny is out of gear before doing this. If there's no voltage at the coil you need to check for voltage back at the switch. There should be voltage there when pulled on the terminal that feeds your coil voltage. If there's no voltage there check the feed terminal on your switch for voltage as there should be voltage there all the time unless you have a broken wire. Hal
 
Use a volt meter or test lite to see you have battery voltage at your coil with the points open. Be sure to pull the ignition switch to the on position. That ignition switch has nothing to do with your starter. It's purpose is to supply battery voltage to your coil and points. When you push the switch in that kills the battery voltage to your coil and the engine will quit. If you don't understand this info get a friend to help you that's an old retired mechanic. Hal
 
Spinning starter and turning on lights with ignition switch turned off is normal BUT if tractor starts and runs with ignition switch turned off something ain't right. If you have magneto the magneto kill switch is probaly not hooked up.
 
Perfect Hal! That is exactly what i was wondering! I am still trying to get her started after she sat for a few years but i was just curious how the switch worked. Thank you all for the excellent help.
 
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