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1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem

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Anthony Reising

05-16-2002 17:25:25




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My '40 Farmall wouldn't start after I ran it out of fuel. I checked for spark and it was sparking, and then when I checked a little while later, no spark. I screwed with it for a day, checking points, coil wire, etc. with no change. I replaced the condenser and it started. After I mowed with it today, I shut her down, and now it won't start. Same thing, no spark. Although, when I crank it, once in a great while I get a spark, or s shock from the wire. could the codenser have died in less than 2 weeks? (The first one was only in there a year) How can I test it. If it isn't the condenser, what else could be going on? The coil and points were bothe replaced last year as well. Thanks a lot for any help.

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gene b

05-17-2002 03:20:27




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 Re: 1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem in reply to Anthony Reisinger, 05-16-2002 17:25:25  
are you sure that the rotor is lined up with the cap terminal when it fires you can get a spark out of the coil and even the plug but the rotor must line up with the terminal when it is ready to trip



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Pete

05-16-2002 18:42:16




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 Re: 1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem in reply to Anthony Reisinger, 05-16-2002 17:25:25  
I had a similiar problem with a Super A that has a mag. In my case it turned out that the distributor cap was the problem. There is a small spring loaded pin in the center of the cap. The pin makes electrical contact with the rotor. In my case the spring was not constantly pushing the pin into contact with thr rotor. Another thing to check...see if the mag is making a spark. Turn the engine with the hand crank and you will hear the mag trip. When you hear it trip you should also see a spark if you have the center distributor wire unhooked and placed close to a ground. I've seen mags worn in such a way that they make a nice spark if you can get the engine running,but at slow cranking speed they don't always make a good spark.

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Howard

05-16-2002 17:33:20




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 Re: 1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem in reply to Anthony Reisinger, 05-16-2002 17:25:25  
could be the switch. do you have a distributer or a mag? yes, the condenser could go bad and tests on them are not always reliable. did you file the points? you might be surprised how important those contacts are.



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Anthony Reisinger

05-16-2002 17:38:37




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 Re: Re: 1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem in reply to Howard, 05-16-2002 17:33:20  
I did file the points, and I even disconnected the kill switch completly as a test. I have a Magneto ingnition. I can sen you a photo of the mag if that would help determine the model. (All it says on it is International Harvester) Can I test any components or systems to help narrow down the issue?



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Howard

05-17-2002 04:48:37




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 Re: Re: Re: 1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem in reply to Anthony Reisinger, 05-16-2002 17:38:37  

i guess i'd try a differn't mag. can you borrow one off a friends tractor. then if you know this is the problem you can send it to someone for repair. that will cost you big bucks. are you afraid to take the mag apart? I assume you have the I-H h4 mag



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EZ

05-16-2002 19:42:05




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 Re: Re: Re: 1940 Farmall A with intermittent spark problem in reply to Anthony Reisinger, 05-16-2002 17:38:37  
Have you tried new plugs?

Sounds too easy . but that's what cured my trouble.



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