9N ran two weeks ago but now....

My faithful 9N was fine two weeks ago when I cut the grass for the last time. Now, it won't start. The battery (6V) is up, starter spins engine just fine. I removed the tube from air cleaner to carburetor, and I can spray ether into the carburetor with choke open while starter is spinning the engine. No sound of any cylinders firing! The tractor is always in a pole barn so it stays dry. I am using the recommended plugs. I pulled the two easiest plugs and they were a little wet; In my mind they will get wet because the engine did not start, rather than thinking they were somehow wet first and caused the engine not to start. I haven't done any work on tractor in the two weeks, so I am at a loss as to what is wrong. I may get out my adjustable-gap spark tester to check for actual spark.

Final resort: I do have a 12V jump-start battery device and may use it to jump to the starter alone. Thanks for any input!

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
 
Start with the simple stuff.

Got more than 2 gallons in the tank?

Gas turned on?

Does gas flow out of the bottom of the carb w/ the bolt removed in a steady stream?

" The battery (6V) is up, starter spins engine just fine."

That doesn't tell you what you need to know.

Put your battery on a charger. (see tip # 60)

You need a strong battery to:

1. Close the solenoid

2. Spin the starter

3. Engage the bendix

4. Provide voltage to the coil.

As the battery gets weaker, the first thing to fail is your spark. If the battery is almost totally dead, all you will hear is the solenoid clicking.

The more current you use to spin the starter, the less you have for the ignition.

" I pulled the two easiest plugs and they were a little wet;"

They are supposed to be dry. Replace the plugs. You flooded it, they're fouled & it will be it next to impossible to start. You don't need to toss them; heat the tips for a few seconds w/ a propane torch to burn off the invisible spark-robbing deposits from today's additive filled gasoline........or wash them in brake cleaner.

" I may get out my adjustable-gap spark tester to check for actual spark. "

That's the very first thing you needed to do.

"I do have a 12V jump-start battery device and may use it to jump to the starter alone. "

See tip # 43 before you do that. And remember, the battery in the tractor needs to have enough current to power the ignition. Otherwise, as soon as you disconnect the jumper battery, the tractor will stop running.
75 Tips
 
Your stock 9N DOES NOT have a solenoid... So don't get misled ... *8Ns more likely DO have a solenoid..* But without spark, they won't care what else you do...
 
(quoted from post at 20:02:50 11/25/17) Your stock 9N DOES NOT have a solenoid... So don't get misled ... *8Ns more likely DO have a solenoid..* But without spark, they won't care what else you do...
Thanks for the responses! Time out for other work... I will follow up later with more info on my checks and results.

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
 
(quoted from post at 22:19:28 11/25/17) " Your stock 9N DOES NOT have a solenoid..."

Yep. My bad.

Fingers moving quicker than the brain......... :)

Thanks, Bruce:
I tried starting fluid/ether before trying my spark checker because [u:d920c30663]the fluid was in the barn[/u:d920c30663] and [u:d920c30663]the spark checker was in another building[/u:d920c30663]. I am one of those who says "if it won't fire with ether, don't worry about the fuel system". That being said, and since the ether did not help, I later did use my spark checker and it show little or no spark at the end of the plug wire. AHA! now I know I will be chasing the right thing when I examine voltage at my front-mount coil (coming from key switch through resistor if I remember right), possibly followed by distributor work. I had the distributor off last year with no re-assembly problems, so I can do it again! Thanks!

Dennis M. in W. Tenn.
 
Don't get ahead of yourself on troubleshooting.

The primary cause of a weak spark, as I said in my previous post, is a weak battery.

Charge the battery.

Then check the battery per tip # 49.

Try to start it; if it does not start, check for spark.

No spark or a weak spark, then check voltage at the top of the coil. Battery voltage, points open, about half that, points closed.

If that checks, then the problem is most likely in the distributor.

Post back w/ results and we'll go from there.
75 Tips
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top