1948 John Deere M

TJH72 · Dec 2, 2012

My mother has a 1948 John Deere M that has been sitting in a barn for 6 or 7 years. I pulled it out of the barn a couple of weeks ago and I have been trying to get it running again. I got a new battery, changed the spark plug, put fresh gas in it and I do not think it is getting any spark. Is there an in line fuse that might be bad? If so, where? It seems like it is something simple I am overlooking. Also, are there any other common areas I should check? I thought I would ask before I really start tearing things part.

Thanks for the help.
TJH72

donjr · Dec 2, 2012

Take a gander at your points and burnish them up some.

Tim14167 · Dec 2, 2012

Yes there is an inline fuse. It is located behind the ignition switch, you may have to remove the battery to get to it. Also, as previously stated, check or replace the point and condensor making sure that you set the gap correct is also important

James Howell · Dec 2, 2012

Checked the Operator"s Manual on page 65 under the [b:654c4848f0]FUSE[/b:654c4848f0] topic.

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]"The fuse is located on lead wire which connects ignition-light switch to ammeter and can be found attached behind a metal clip located at rear of battery on back of instrument panel. If ignition or lights fail, check this fuse. If fuses continue to burn out, check wiring for short circuits.

It is important to use a 20 ampere fuse. A smaller or larger capacity fuse will not do."[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]

<a href="http://s200.beta.photobucket.com/user/jameslloydhowell/media/John%20Deere%20Equipment/Rusty/022.jpg.html" target="_blank">

022.jpg" width="650" border="0" alt="Photobucket"

</a>

Check to make sure you've got spark from both the spark plugs.

Operator's manual suggests .025-inch gap for the spark plugs.

Operator's manual suggests .022-inch gap for the points.

Hope this helps.

johndeere39h-1 · Dec 3, 2012

I have been having the same problem with my m,
only I get spark, then loose it, starts up fine for a few days,
Then nothing, no spark, I have replaced the coil, plugs condenser, points, now I'm wondering if I have a short someplace, maybe I should just start replacing the wires....Switch maybe?
Any thoughts?
Open to any ideas
Thanks!

James Howell · Dec 3, 2012

Does the starter turn the motor over even if the tractor doesn"t start?

nlastovi · Dec 3, 2012

I'd check the coil with a volt meter to make sure that it is getting 6 volts with the switch on. " I get spark, then loose it" makes me wonder if the ignition switch is good and that all connections between the battery and the coil then on to the distributer are clean and making good contact.

CaseRider · Dec 4, 2012

(quoted from post at 10:50:13 12/02/12) My mother has a 1948 John Deere M that has been sitting in a barn for 6 or 7 years. I pulled it out of the barn a couple of weeks ago and I have been trying to get it running again. I got a new battery, changed the spark plug, put fresh gas in it and I do not think it is getting any spark. Is there an in line fuse that might be bad? If so, where? It seems like it is something simple I am overlooking. Also, are there any other common areas I should check? I thought I would ask before I really start tearing things part.

Got 6 V at the coil?

Not saying this is what's wrong, but mice like to get in the instrument panel and chew the coating off those old wires. It's a problem we had with all our old tractors. Might want to check if they got into yours too. It's easy to pull the cutout (2 bolts) and look for mouse-related stuff and chewed wires. If they got in there, you might want to replace the wiring. Good luck replacing those wires if you have fat fingers. A little steel wool stuffed in the instrument panel openings is pretty good at keeping the mice out.

C.R.

Thanks for the help.
TJH72

TJH72 · Dec 4, 2012

Yes, The engine turns over but will not start. The inline fuse is good also. Thanks for all of the the help.

johndeere39h-1 · Dec 4, 2012

Thanks for the tip, will check the voltage at the coil, Could be the wiring, someone years.....ago put a ton of electrical tape around all the wires under the hood,
Well at least I have extra parts if that's it,
Thanks for the help
Jeff

1948 John Deere M

TJH72

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donjr

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Tim14167

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James Howell

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johndeere39h-1

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James Howell

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nlastovi

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CaseRider

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TJH72

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johndeere39h-1

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