(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

4020 won't start

D

DeereGuy21

New User
Hello all.
I have a 1969 John Deere 4020 LP that will not run. We have done everything..new points, condenser, coil, cap, rotary button..etc. still no spark to the plugs. Before you ask, yes I have fire going to the coil. We tried pull starting and it would only fire once every once in a while but would never run. Prior to this, I can always remember this tractor burning up points/condensers frequently. It is a 12v system so it's pretty simple to figure out. We have fuel just no spark to burn it.. Any help would be great..thanks in advance
 
My Troubleshooting Procedure may help, hard to say sitting here. Assuming you indeed have voltage to the coils INPUT, it describes how to use a test lamp on the coils OUTPUT (to distributor) terminal to verify points are opening and closing and conducting current to ground.

A test lamp on the coils output as the engine is cranked over should flash ON when points are open and OFF when they are closed.

To eliminate any cap or rotor type distributor problems take the coil wire out of the cap and place it to within 1/4 inch of tractor steel and see if it fires each time the points are open??? If so but NOT otherwise its a cap or rotor problem.

Check out my procedure it may help.

John T
John Ts Ignition Troubleshooting
 
Thank you for the help. I got it running but now I think it's a problem with the distributor itself. I loosened it off to play with the timing and it started faster than it has in a long time..when I tighten the nut closest to the coil, the tractor missfires really bad..never seen anything like it
 
Might be time to try a Pertronix ignition kit. I put one in my Ollie 1600 that was always hard on ignition parts since my grandpa bought it new in 64. Now it'll go a couple years and couple hundred hours before it needs a new cap and rotor.

And with the cost of those ignition parts now a days, it really isn't that much different and chapter in the long run than replacing condensers and points every couple months. Plus they're getting harder to get, even at the good auto parts places. Usually had to wait a couple days, or go to the store that had them in the computer.

Donovan from Wisconsin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

63mercragtop
Farmall A 1941 Magneto Conversion
2
Replies
26
Views
709
teddy52food
T
R
No spark
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
rockin
R
D
Farmall h no start
Replies
5
Views
503
used red MN
U
R
48 Cub still not starting
Replies
9
Views
292
Keith-OR
K
R
1955 ford 172 gas engine won’t start
Replies
18
Views
282
rdjinny
R
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

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.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top