starter stuck open and will not fire

Starter is stuck open and now its not getting fire

On what model tractor?

What does "stuck open" mean? Does the starter turn over at all?

Does it turn over & not engage the flywheel?

What does "getting fire" mean?

No spark at the plugs?

A little more info, please.
75 Tips

it's a 1948 8n the starter keeps spinning no spark to plugs the engine is turning over

You mean it keeps cracking after you let go of the starter button?

Yes no starter button key start

Stan.......you do realize that the 8N did NOT have a twist'em key start scheme, don't you? The ignition key only supplied power to the ignition circuit ONLY. The starter solenoid was operated by the BIG push'em button by the tranny shifter.

Now iff'n you are saying you have a twist'em key start scheme, all betts are OFF 'cuz I flunked mind reading. Just ask my ex-wife of 32-yrs.

Now then, iff'n yer saying yer starter motor is buzzin' even iff'n yer NOT pushin' on the BIG starter button by the tranny shifter, LOOK at where the starter solenoid wire goes thru the bottom of the dash board. (move and pull the wire around)

As fer no sparkies, look at where the ignition wire goes thru the side of the side-mount dizzy. Often the wire shorts out thru the plastic insulation. Remember fer the side-mount dizzy, the points are 0.025"......Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister

Is the tractor wired 6v or 12v?

First, charge the battery. (see tip # 60 at the link)

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.

It's possible that your battery is so weak that all it's doing is spinning the starter & not engaging the bendix. And, it has nothing left for the ignition circuit.

But, the most likely reason that the starter is spinning & not engaging the flywheel is because the bendix is bad.

As to the key start.....that could also be the problem. See tip # 28; you are dealing w/ an unsafe condition. And, because of the number of different ways to install a key start, you're going to have some difficulty figuring it out.

My advice is to remove the key start & install the OEM safety switch.

As to your distributor.....if your 8N is an 1948, it has a front distributor, not a side distributor.

Check for battery voltage (points open) at the top of the coil.
75 Tips

any time you have a starter staying electrically engaged after you have let off the key-start or starter button, , immediately check the solenoid or in case of a 9n/2n, the manual start switch. give it a whack with a screwdriver. sometimes the contacts arc weld shut.

PS.. electrically that's a CLOSED circuit.. not an OPEN one as you described!