1951 Model A

Landon_wic18

New User
I have a 1951 JD A new carb, converted to 12v new
battery/cables. I cannot get my tractor to start, won?t even roll
over.... replaced cables, battery, even used different key
switch... i don?t know if it?s the starter or what it might be.. help
 
Time for some troubleshooting with a basic test light. The high amp starter mounted switch can be an area of trouble on those too
 
take plugs out and take wires out of distributor or mag than stand out of the way could be full of gas in cylinder if so this is dangerous if spark contacts gas. My friend lost his life this way he burned up. then try to turn it over.
 
Keyswitch won't have anything to do with it on this model, I am thinking the ground cable isn't grounded, use a set of jumper cables and connect the ground to battery and the other end as close to the starter as you can, maybe the flywheel cover bolt. Also is the rod from the pedal to the starter to long and not letting the contacts of the starter switch to touch?
 
If it won't turn over, you need to start with the starter switch. They get wor (eroded, pitted) and won't make contact.
 
"[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#6699ff">don?t know if it?s the starter or what it might be[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>"

Take a look at the [b:654c4848f0]Lamps and Wiring[/b:654c4848f0] diagram below.
a256178.jpg" width="650"


Since you installed new battery cables, check the end of the ground cable where it is bolted to the frame.

Make sure it is making good connection with "clean" metal.

Agree with [b:654c4848f0]JDIH[/b:654c4848f0] that it is "[i:654c4848f0]Time for some troubleshooting with a basic test light.[/i:654c4848f0]"

Using a test light, check the end of the cable connected to the starter switch on the starting motor for a good connection.
a256179.jpg" width="650"


If the light shines, then the ground cable and power cable are making good connections.

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]<font color="#ff0000">CAUTION: Please be mindful of common safety steps; expressed or not.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]</font>

Before you begin this troubleshooting step, make sure of the following:

[b:654c4848f0][i:654c4848f0]Lock both brakes.

Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.

Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.

Remove the coil wire from both the coil and distributor.

Turn the gas off at the fuel filter.[/i:654c4848f0][/b:654c4848f0]

You might consider bench testing the starting motor.


If there is power at the starter switch, then push the button to engage the starting motor.

If the starting motor engages, then check and/or adjust the starting motor pedal and linkage.

After checking and/or adjusting the starting motor pedal and linkage, then push the starter pedal.

If the starting motor does NOT engage, then remove the starter switch and check for wear on the copper contact.
a256181.jpg" width="650"


If the copper contact is severely worn on the edge, then it may not be making a good connection with the stud terminal on the starting motor.

Inspect the stud terminal on the starting motor.
a256185.jpg" width="650"


If the stud terminal is severely worn, then it may not be making a good connection with the starter switch on the starting motor.

You might consider replacing one or both if they are severely worn.

Hope this helps.
 
pull out the spark plugs
unplug your coil wire so there will be no spark go to the sparkplug wires.
step on the starter and see if it turns over then. maybe you got gas filled up in
the cylinders and caused a hydraulic lock.
A WORD OF CAUTION when doing this. you may have gasoline shooting out of the spark plug
holes mixed with air. the slightest spark and you will instantly have a 3 foot blow torch.
make sure you STAND CLEAR of the spark plug hole areas, and make darn sure you got no open flame or ignition
I prefer to do this outside because if the cylinders ARE full of gas, this will cause a mess.
I usually always shut off the gas tap from the tank to the carburator everytime the tractor is parked for a period of time
this may prevent this from happening.
good luck
 
Something nobody mentioned. Do you have an alternator or a generator? Do you have one 12 volt battery or two six volt batteries? If two six volt batteries, I'm betting you have them hooked up wrong. If you don't have them wired correctly it will be as dead as a stick of firewood with all new batteries & cables!

If you have a generator and two batteries, find the battery cable going to the FRAME of the tractor. Hook that to one battery's PLUS post. Hook that same battery's MINUS post to one end of the short jumper cable. Hook the OTHER end of the jumper cable to the second battery's PLUS post. Hook this second battery's NEGATIVE post to the starter cable & the rest of the tractor. Try the lights. If they light, look at the ammeter. It should show a discharge.

If you have an alternator and two batteries, you should disconnect the small wires from the alternator. Then hook the cable connected to the frame to the MINUS post of the first battery. The tie cable to the PLUS of the first battery and to the MINUS of the second. CAUTION.... lightly BRUSH the starter cable across the POSITIVE post of this second battery. There should NOT be any sparks! If there are none, go ahead & connect it. Try the lights. If they work, does the ammeter show a discharge? If it does, it's likely OK to hook up the alternator.

I bet it will work now!
 
Then as others said, you're chasing a malfunctioning starter switch, an open starter motor, an open cable/cables or a combination of several. With a single 12 the starter should crank it.
 
I?ve ordered a new button and solenoid screw Under the button, also ordered bendix and brushes, armature is good and everything else is clean if this doesn?t fix it I?ll be damned
 
rebuilt the starter and discovered a grounding issue, fixed it grounded everything put a light on coil, alternator, battery, and starter, fired off after one full spin of the flywheel! runs great
 
thanks, took a min to find the parts for the old tractor but its back to normal, new brushes bendix and contact with new switch as well
 

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