8n won't start - ignition/electrical???

Tschwerm

New User
Bought a 1952 Ford 8N with 12 volt from folks I bought my house from. Started and ran in Feb 2015 when I bought it. Tried to start it recently and it wouldn't turn over or even click. Charged battery still nothing. Friends helped me diagnose that solenoid was bad... Replaced that. Drained the old fuel and replaced with new as it had been a couple of months. Now with a new solenoid and fuel it turns over, catches great and runs as long as I want to hold in the ignition button. Once I let go of the ignition it dies within 2-3 seconds. Any helpful thoughts on what to try next? I am a newby owner with no mechanical background. Anything constructive is appreciated!!
 
(quoted from post at 22:21:29 06/23/15) Bought a 1952 Ford 8N with 12 volt from folks I bought my house from. Started and ran in Feb 2015 when I bought it. Tried to start it recently and it wouldn't turn over or even click. Charged battery still nothing. Friends helped me diagnose that solenoid was bad... Replaced that. Drained the old fuel and replaced with new as it had been a couple of months. Now with a new solenoid and fuel it turns over, catches great and runs as long as I want to hold in the ignition button. Once I let go of the ignition it dies within 2-3 seconds. Any helpful thoughts on what to try next? I am a newby owner with no mechanical background. Anything constructive is appreciated!!
ust as a sight unseen first guess, I would say that you have a small wire on the solenoid post connected to starter motor instead of the solenoid post connected to the battery. Move it to other side.
 
Tschwerm.........replaced the solenoid, eh? didja replace it so the little middle terminal is facing the engine block and hard to gitt too? BTW, solenoids are really rather rugged and seldom go bad. Iff'n I hadda to make a WAG (Wild A$$ Guess) yer lead battery clamps were internally corroded and wouldn't pass enuff amps to turn the starter motor. 12-volts is NOT ALWAYS the cure-all to N-problems. Usually the reason yer tractor won't start is INVISIBLE CORROSION between the points. Me? I clamp the corner of $1-bill between the points and pull. Simple, eh? .......Dell, yer self-appointed sparkie-meister
 
ditto what Jmor said.

look at the solenoid, is there 2 conenctions on the starter side? a transfer tab and a small wire? if so, the small wire goes on the BATTERY side.
 
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JMOR - i know the smallest wire to the ignition is on the small post (hidden in the back towards the block and hardest to reach) and that is all that is connected to the smallest post. I also know the battery wire connects to the BAT terminal on the solenoid. I will look at the remaining wires on the two main solenoid posts... perhaps I switched one of those around during wiring of the replacement solenoid when I get home tonight.

Thanks to all who have responded!! I am now hopeful again that I can get this old girl running and start taking care of some honey-doo's around the property...
 
(quoted from post at 11:48:31 06/24/15)
ust as a sight unseen first guess, I would say that you have a small wire on the solenoid post connected to starter motor instead of the solenoid post connected to the battery. Move it to other side.[/quote]
"I will look at the remaining wires on the two main solenoid posts... perhaps I switched one of those around during wiring of the replacement solenoid when I get home tonight. " That is the one we are talking about.
 
That is the one we are talking about.[/quote]

JMOR proves to be the genius of the day!! Switched the wires on the solenoid exactly as JMOR guessed (sight unseen... no less). Old tractor fired up and ran great for 2 hours while I graded my driveway smooth.

Tractor is running great, driveway is much smoother, wife is happy! Thanks to all for the words. I look forward to being a part of this helpful community. Regards.
 
(quoted from post at 09:10:36 06/25/15) That is the one we are talking about.

JMOR proves to be the genius of the day!! Switched the wires on the solenoid exactly as JMOR guessed (sight unseen... no less). Old tractor fired up and ran great for 2 hours while I graded my driveway smooth.

Tractor is running great, driveway is much smoother, wife is happy! Thanks to all for the words. I look forward to being a part of this helpful community. Regards.[/quote]

The only negative thing I see here is you made your wife happy. You really don't want to make a habit of that.....they start to expect it every few minutes!

Rick
 
I am new to the forum. I have a 1951, 8N that has not been running properly for some time. Converted to 12 volt. This winter, I rebuilt the carb and installed an electronic ignition (spare me the controversy).
After everything was put together, the engine cranks but will not start.

It seems as though gas is getting to the carb and the choke is operating properly. Yes it has gas in it and shutoff valve is open. My guess is that there is no spark getting to the plugs. I installed a new coil with no help. Recently replaced the alternator. Battery is strong.

As part of the electronic ignition install, an additional wire was present. The instructions indicated to connect this wire to the resistor block. I connected to the resistor block behind the dash but Im not sure that this is where it is supposed to lead. Any help?
 
(quoted from post at 09:36:05 06/26/15) I am new to the forum. I have a 1951, 8N that has not been running properly for some time. Converted to 12 volt. This winter, I rebuilt the carb and installed an electronic ignition (spare me the controversy).
After everything was put together, the engine cranks but will not start.

It seems as though gas is getting to the carb and the choke is operating properly. Yes it has gas in it and shutoff valve is open. My guess is that there is no spark getting to the plugs. I installed a new coil with no help. Recently replaced the alternator. Battery is strong.

As part of the electronic ignition install, an additional wire was present. The instructions indicated to connect this wire to the resistor block. I connected to the resistor block behind the dash but Im not sure that this is where it is supposed to lead. Any help?
ollow EI makers/sellers instructions & or call their tech help. If it is Pertronix, then all the instruction is there.
 
I Have a 1949 8N, that was converted to 12 V. Installing a new coil, planning to wire it through a new replacement terminal block with a built in resistor. Do I still need the ballast resistor?
 
(quoted from post at 16:31:55 06/26/15) I Have a 1949 8N, that was converted to 12 V. Installing a new coil, planning to wire it through a new replacement terminal block with a built in resistor. Do I still need the ballast resistor?
ame answer I gave you the first time you asked, still holds.
 
(quoted from post at 10:10:33 06/27/15) It is pertrinix but instructions are not clear. I suspect that I am not following
properly.
ell, I can explain/clarify just about anything about Pertronix units, , but........you are going to have to be A LOT MORE specific than " an additional wire was present". If you can clearly state the question, then you will likely have answered your own question.
 

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