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656 resistor

J

Jamie656

New User
I recently bought a Farmall 656 gas w generator for $1000. They told me it didn"t work. I am not mechanically inclined at all, but I have been playing with it, and finally got it going. there has been some frustration due to trial and errors. But I think I have it narrowed down to the electrical. Looking in the manual, I noticed that there needs to be a resistor installed. Looking at the hand drawn diagram in the original manual, I can sort of see where it needs to be connected, but it doesn"t help me that much.
My question is, (if I decide to go this route) Do I install the resistor between the starter solenoid to the + terminal of the coil??

Or should I just get one of those fancy pertronix electric ignitions to install in my distributor cap??

I am also wondering, where a good cheap place to get a main wiring harness for my tractor would be?
The tractor has never been stored outside, but it is from 1966 and I am sure it needs a wiring overhaul.
Getting this going has been costly based on trial and error. I live in Canada and sending things back are getting expensive with customs and shipping.
 
First of all you need an operators manual which ahould have a clear diagram. Your CaseIH dealer has harnesses, as do many others, but there is no such thing as a cheap one unless you make it yourself which can be done.
 
No the resistor goes in the line between the switch and the + coil wire. If I remember right the resistor is on the right side under the dash right beside your right foot.
 
The resistor does go between the ignition switch I terminal, and the coil+ terminal. An additional wire goes from the coil + to the starter solenoid I terminal. This added wire bypasses the resistor when starting to increase the voltage. The solenoid only supplies voltage to it when the engine is cranking, so it is not used during running of the tractor. Please find useful diagrams attached. Jim
Diagrams for it
 
That diagram is exactly what I have been looking for.
Thanks Jim

Has anyone installed an electronic ignition? I was told it is easy to install, but I have been getting mixed feedback
 
Electronic ignition is a fine addition to the tractor. It doesn't change the distributor, or replace moving parts except the breaker points. as a result, if it did go belly up, the points can be put back in. I think they provide a better spark, and faster starts (when used with a hotter coil). Far less maintenance. The advance mechanism needs to be checked with a timing light to assure it is operational. The ignition still depends on that mechanical device. Jim
 
If it has a separate ignition resistor it will be located by the ignition coil.

During the production run of the 656 with generators there was a change in the wiring harness so that the resistor was built into the harness between the ignition switch and the starter solenoid.

Here is how to tell which system you have. There are two small terminals on the starter solenoid. The "S" terminal will have only one wire and that is the one that provides the power to engage the solenoid switch. The other terminal, marked with an "I", will have either one wire or there will be two wires crimped together in the connector. If it has only one wire you should have a separate resistor at the coil. That harness will also have two wire together at the coil. If it has two wires the resistor is built into the harness and you do not use another one at the coil. That is the later harness and will have only one wire at the coil end.

Tractors with alternators all had the resistor built into the harness for the ignition system but they had another resistor at the regulator for the charging system.
 
Don't assume that the wiring harness is going to need to be replaced. Our tractors all have the original harness, & work very well. If your tractor has indeed been inside most of its days, the harness is very likely in good shape yet.
 
Thank you all, this information should help me out a great deal.
I got the tractor going and have used it for about 4 hours... It is just not reliable enough for our unpredictable weather as to which I want to use it to push snow.
As for the harness, I think it is in alright condition, but I have noticed a lot of cut ends in the harness which makes me believe that the previous owners would just disconnect things if they quit working...
I am glad I found this site and I am sure I will be calling out for help again....
I seemed to have picked a good tractor for my first restore.
 
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