IH 300 Utility - No Spark

markerickson2003 · Aug 4, 2018

Hi, I have a 12 Volt IH 300 Utility, I think it is about 1954. I just put in all new ignition components and not have no fire. Had a little spark in #1 plug at first, then nothing. Have power to coil (coil is only part I didn't replace).

If anyone have any thoughts I would really appreciate it. Oh yeah, it ran before replacing the parts.

Thanks,

Steve@Advance · Aug 4, 2018

Recheck the connection at the points, be sure the wire is connected correctly, and not shorted to ground.

Put the old condenser back in, be sure the case is grounded tightly to the plate.

Recheck the point gap, check for side play in the shaft, it must be tight for the points to stay set.

Clean the points with contact cleaner and a paper business card. Sometimes they have a coating for corrosion prevention. You should see a spark at the points when they open.

Let us know...

Janicholson · Aug 4, 2018

I agree with Steve. To see if the points are doing their thing, put a test light on the terminal on the side of the distributor. With the points
closed, the light should not light with the ignition on. With the points open, (put a plastic knife blade between them, or a cut piece of butter tub
lid) the light should be lit with the ignition on. Don't leave the ignition on very long, continuous on and not running will overheat the coil. Jim

old · Aug 4, 2018

Easy way to trouble shoot and only thing you need is a simple piece of wire. hook a wire to the ignition side of the battery and then touch it to the coil wire ignition side. With the points closed you should see a spark when you touch the wire to the coil. Now turn the engine over to the point that the points are open and do that same test. This time you should get no spark. No spark when closes says point need to be cleaned. Spark when open say you have a short and likely to be the condenser wire where it hooks to the points

John T · Aug 5, 2018

So often points are the problem so always check that first (see my Troubleshooting Procedure). Before throwing more money or parts at it work through my troubleshooting procedure to find the cause of no spark.

John T
John Ts Ignition Troubleshooting

markerickson2003 · Aug 5, 2018

Thanks Steve, tried all your suggestions and still no luck. Jim mentioned the coil overheating, it does get warm when the key is on for a little. Also, After taking the points out, but before putting the new ones in, I forgot to turn the key off. Could this have crapped out the coil?

IH 300 Utility - No Spark

markerickson2003

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Steve@Advance

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Janicholson

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old

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John T

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markerickson2003

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