880 Oliver ignition problem

elkcagg

Member
Tractor died on the road. No spark at the plugs. We bridged the points with a screwdriver and we have spark? This don't make sense so we replace the points anyway because they looked pretty bad. Tractor starts right up and we go to work. Tractor has failed to start twice now since the new points but we get it going after we file them some. These new points look bad after only about 2 hrs of use. We set the gap at .022. What is happening that we are frying points?
 
Likely the condensor is going home. Alternatives might be too much current feeding to the coil (ballast resistor) or just poor quality contact breaker.

RAB
 
In cases where all else is okay but the points burn up quickly, the condensor may be bad (or not wired through a good complete circuit or not well grounded) and for no more then they cost you might just try a new one unless you have a capacitor tester. A bad condensor can also cause a weaker spark.

Another cause can be excess primary ignition current, typically the points dont switch much over 4 amps to avoid premature burn up.

Ive seen ignition coils break down once they get good n warm.

John T
 
I had a problem with the starting problem like you on an 1850. One problem was rust under the plate that the points and condenser mount on. Another problem for me seems to Made in China condensers. Maybe its just me, but sometimes to get one to work I had to buy three. Have had the best luck with ignition parts that come in a blue box. I think they are called Blue Streak(will check this afternoon and repost if different). Also, as previously mentioned the coil can be problematic. Almost everything I have is diesel, but I still keep one new coil around. Use it as much for diagnostic work as a replacement.
 
Wow...every one of you guys hit on something that seems to be in my problem bag. First off, coil was leaking oil. Duh..I suggested replacing it right away when it got hot. After a cool down in replacing different points & condensor it worked. But not tonight again. After 5 round bales were made it died again. This time I strongly suggested replacing coil after I pointed out the oil dripping out of it. Ok...the condensor got replaced, again. I also noticed the plate has a lot of rust which makes for a bad ground. Thanks again guys.
 

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