1944 A Ignition problem

Farmallman2013 · Mar 23, 2015

I was running my A with a WICO Model X mag on it the other day and the tractor just started hitting on one cylinder then it quit. I tried to crank it over, and every once and a while it will fire on just one, then it just quits. I then put a spark tester on the wires and checked each one, but it seemed to have poor spark, so poor that I could hold the wire and barely got shocked. I then replaced the condenser in the mag, and it still had poor spark. Im wondering if my mag is bad?, or needs new parts installed? The coil inside looks old, and is somewhat rusty, could it be the coil? or would it be in my best interest to just replace the whole mag? it has always been acting funny, and the tractor not running 100% even after I adjusted the carb over a dozen times. What do you think is causing my trouble? I know there is gas there because the pet cocks exert the gas mist. am I doing something wrong? or is it the tractor?
P.S. this is my first JD and I don't know everything, so no need to discourage me like a few people did on the IH fourm when I asked a simple question about my 560. Thanks.

DManey · Mar 23, 2015

The mag needs rebuilt. Just went through the same thing on my 1940 A. Get it professionally rebuilt and it will be money well spent.

John T · Mar 23, 2015

The most typical cause of weak or no spark is dirty or corroded or burned or badly pitted or mis adjusted points. If only gray oxide coated a dollar bill drug between them can help but if badly burned a points file may get her going (and adjust then while at it) ALTHOUGH they likely just need replaced. Sure a faulty or weak or leaky condenser can be the problem and so many new out of the box units are bad or way out of spec nowadays. The coil can go bad but I only suspect those AFTER first trying points and condenser.

If the impulse spring is weak the start/impulse spark is weak although they could run fine if pull started and once running.

Check points and their gap and clean and adjust them and give her a try......Is your timing correct???

John T

Machinery-Man · Mar 23, 2015

The carb gets blamed for a lot of ignition problems.

RandyB(MI) · Mar 23, 2015

I would have it gone through completely since there are many parts/connections that by themselves or collectively would cause your problems. Judging by your post , it doesn't sound like you feel comfortable in the working knowlege of a magneto,which most people are not. You are going to have to buy the same parts anyway whether you try it yourself or have them do it. Last I knew most places get $75- $100 + parts and that includes magnet re-charging , coil check and all adjustments and guaranteed spark/bench test. Pretty hard to beat for value. Ask yourself this question...if you do it yourself and it still doesn't run right, are you confident enough to eliminate the mag at that point ?? Now you know what to do. One thing required ( not actually but would be nice ) on the JD forum, though , is that in return for all the non-judgmental and non-discouraging help you will get on here , most would really appreciate if you would post back on with your results and what ended up solving the problem. Everybody learns that way. Hope you get it going and anticipate your post. RB

Farmallman2013 · Mar 23, 2015

Thanks for the advice! I am only 19 and haven't really done much with it. I'll look into the carb, and look into the mag. I am nervous about going into the mag because o have only worked with delco destributers. I had a guy locally who did my IH f4 mags and dit it well! But he passed away a few years ago and closed down the shop. I believe I will need to go through and check the timing as well. I'll keep posted on what I find.

BushogPapa · Mar 23, 2015

ALWAYS suspect Moisture in the Mag, when you have an ignition problem..
Open it and let the SUN shine in it for a hour, change the sparkplugs and I think you will be in business..

Ron..

1944 A Ignition problem

Farmallman2013

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DManey

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John T

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Machinery-Man

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RandyB(MI)

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Farmallman2013

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BushogPapa

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