TO35 Conked Out

ajhbike · Nov 23, 2022

I was bush hogging hard for over an hour yesterday and the TO35 sputtered twice and shut down. I had good fuel to the carb (that was last week's fuel bowl bi valve issue), good fluid levels, good cranking, all the spark leads connected, cooling temp in the green. Trailered it home as I was cutting across town and unloaded at home. Pushed it off the driveway to the lawn and was trying to figure a way to get it into the shed and decided to try starting it. It fired right up and ran well.

Thoughts on what it could have been? Thank you

J.Wondergem · Nov 23, 2022

Maybe a short in the ignition or wiring.

Bruce(OR) · Nov 23, 2022

Bad ign switch or overheated ign coil.
Ign switch is hook up voltmeter and wiggle it. Does voltage fluctuate?
Ign coil is how old?

wjajr · Nov 23, 2022

Yup, some glitch in ignition circuit. When is is not working, conked out as stated, test every component from the ignition switch to the distributor.

Could be a failing coil. As a weak coil warms they can short out internally, and once cooled they will sometimes work again. It will have to be tested for continuity when it is hot.

here for simple field test

Here using a multi meter

Jim L WA · Nov 23, 2022

Usually, when a coil breaks down it's within 10-15 minutes. An hour is a long time. The next time it happens, pull the coil wire from the distributor cap and with the key on hold the wire close to the block and crank the engine, watching for spark at the end of that wire. If you get spark, then check for fuel flow THROUGH to carburetor by removing the plug at the bottom and observing fuel flow. If you don't have the tools with you then just try tapping the carburetor with a stick or something. What you are trying to prove is that something got into the needle and seat or the float just hung up or the needle stuck in the seat.

RM-MN · Nov 24, 2022

I've had an ammeter get an intermittent connection and do that. I replaced a few parts before I was able to figure out where the problem was.

ajhbike · Nov 24, 2022

Thank you all. I will check fuel flow through the carb and wire connections. If there is nothing there I will try the coil checks.

ajhbike · Nov 25, 2022

I didn't find anything in the wiring so it will be wait and see about the coil.

Also bought an aftermarket swinging drawbar so I can tow the tow behind brush hog rather than use a drawbar on the lift arms...and of course 3 out of 4 of the pin plate 5/8 bolts are broken off in the holes. One was sticking out a little and I was able to chisel it and vise grip it out but the other ones will have to be drilled out...hoping the PO used grade 2 bolts!

ajhbike · Dec 1, 2022

Got all 3 out and only took a couple of days. Hope the aftermarket holes line up

TO35 Conked Out

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Bruce(OR)

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wjajr

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Jim L WA

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RM-MN

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ajhbike

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ajhbike

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ajhbike

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