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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Spark Problem on an International 300 Utility -195

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peletz

04-26-2006 12:20:40




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I just went through my tractor 2 years ago and put points, condenser, plugs, and coil on it. It is a 6v system. Now 2 years later I have a spark problem. I measure 2.5 volts on my coil while cranking over the tractor. I have no spark from my coil wire. If I manually activate my points I get an average spark. I have 1.2 ohms resistance on my coil. I have made many calls to parts stores and tractor repair shops and no one can tell me if the coil is bad or if I have other problems. I try not to be a parts changer because you never really find out what the problem is. Can anyone suggest a sound method to troubleshoot and find the root cause? Thanks..

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peletz

04-30-2006 16:11:22




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 Re: Spark Problem on an International 300 Utility in reply to peletz, 04-26-2006 12:20:40  
Ok, Here is what I did. I took my 6V charge and connected directly to the coil, No start, I took my 12v Booster pack and connected to my Battery, No start. I checked for bad connection and did not find any. I took my ohm meter and check the resistance of my points while cranking it over and found it changing from .5 ohms to 14 ohms of resistance. I replaced the points and condenser, fully charged battery (again)and it started like a champ. Thanks for everyone's help, I did a lot of work this weekend....

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John T

04-26-2006 14:27:25




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 Re: Spark Problem on an International 300 Utility in reply to peletz, 04-26-2006 12:20:40  
Peletz, at the high input (from switch NOT to coil) coil terminal when the ignition is switched on you ought to see around 6 volts setting and maybe 4.5 or better while cranking (depends on battery n starter n cables etc etc). If shes (battery voltage) too low you get a weak spark. If voltage is low on the coils input, the first thing I suspect (if not a battery or starter or cable or connection problem) is a bad ignition switch with loose or carboned contacts. One way to check is to temporarily jump a hot wire direct to the coil and then measure voltages setting and running and if she has a strong spark then and runs better, I would check the switch and the wires from the switch to coil and also the voltage and wiring to the switches BAT input terminal to see if its around 6 as it should be setting. If the switch shows near 6 volts on its BAT input terminal but with the ignition on and points closed only shows 3 to 4 volts while setting on its output (to coil) terminal (NOT cranking) THE SWITCH IS BADDDDD DDDDD DDDDD DDDDD DDDDD it has resistive contacts and/or carbon.

If the voltage on the coil setting with ignition on and points closed is near 6 volts but drops drastically to like 3 while cranking and the switch is good (or shes hot wired), then I suspect a weak battery or a bad starter or bad or too small or corroded cables or connections. I recommend 00 Gauge Battery n Starter n Ground cables on 6 volt applications. Another cause of extreme voltage drop while cranking is a poor ground connection, maybe try grounding to a soild frame bolt versus any thin or rusted sheet metal somewhere, the closer to starter the better. I would remove, clean n wire brush and reattach each n every battery n starter n ground cable connection then try it. To be safe, charge the battery and better yet have a shop load test it !!!!! !! and/or try a know good substitute battery to see if that helps.

If the battery and cables n connections n grounds are all good but voltage still drops drastically to like 3 while cranking, I suspect a bad starter thats drawing excess current, it may have a shorted or dragging armature or bad brushes etc etc. Drastic battery voltage drops while cranking causes a very weak spark and hard starting. Besides the ignition switch, a bad/carboned starter switch or solenoid can cause poor cranking performance and voltage drops.

Once the voltages are all up to par (6 on coil setting and 4.5 and over while cranking) and she has a good battery n cables n grounds but the sparks still weak, post back for my non or weak spark Troubleshooting Procedure. HOWEVER make sure the points are good (not burned or pitted or all carboned up) and gapped proper and you have good wires n plugs in the meantime as that affects spark quality big time.

John T in Indiana

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Peletz

04-27-2006 15:36:28




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 Re: Spark Problem on an International 300 Utility in reply to John T, 04-26-2006 14:27:25  
Thank You all for the information. I will do some voltage checks and I will post what I find. Some additional information... The cap and rotor was also replaced at the time I tuned it up. I will take some resistance checks across the points. Again, thanks for taking the time to help me...I will be back....



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old

04-26-2006 13:58:12




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 Re: Spark Problem on an International 300 Utility in reply to peletz, 04-26-2006 12:20:40  
2 years on a set of points is a long time unless you only use it about once a month or less. Sounds like the first thing you need to do is a full tunr up of points, plugs, condenser. Also how old is the cap and rotor?? If either one or both are very old you should also replace them. Caps and rotors do go bad and when they do you loose spark going to the plugs.

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jeffcat

04-26-2006 12:52:51




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 Re: Spark Problem on an International 300 Utility in reply to peletz, 04-26-2006 12:20:40  
Your voltage is too low. Wires, switch, dirty points, Etc. There should be around 4 volts on the coil. By the way, did you measure that voltage while cranking? Your meter is not fast enough. Need a scope to measure a coil. Just for giggles try jumping a 12 volt battery with jumpers on her when you start to crank. She just might pop off. Let us know. Jeffcat



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