8n Distributor problem/ can t get it to start

Jackstraw22

New User
I have a 1950 8n with a 12v conversation. The distributor is side mount.

I used a 12v tester and have power going to the coil. The wire coming out of the coil is hot until I attach the wire to the distributor. When I attach the wire to the distributor I don t have power.

Why would the wire have power until I connect to the distributor? Should I get a new distributor?

J
 

First make sure the points are opened, then check the dist wire to ground with an ohm meter, if it is shorted find out
why.
 
Audio Guy is on to it. (0% of the time when a 4 cylinder (or others for that matter) stops when shut off they come to rest with the points closed. So
when you test the electrical supply to the ignition, the coil sees ignition supply voltage on the side toward the switch, and nothing on the distributor
side. (coil is "on") if you disconnect the wire to the distributor, coil is "off" and because the points are disconnected, there will be full voltage
on that disconnected wire. The points are a switch. When they are open, They are a switch that is "off". TO check what you have, put a piece of
plastic knife between the points and you should find voltage at both sides of the coil. If you do not, the point components that mve, or the condenser
wire, or the pass through to the outside where they connect is shorted to ground. Jim
 
Ok. All that does make sense about the wire.

Why would I not be getting my 12v tester to light up when I check the distributor. The coil has power to it but not the distributor. I got a new resistor and put it in today. Still won?t turn on.
 
The points are intended to ground the coil causing it to turn on when they are closed. This causes the terminal wire and distributor to be grounded, and as such will not have voltage. If the points are open, As I described above) there should be voltage on both sides of the coil and on the distributor terminal. Jim
 
Ok. Shouldn?t I get a reading at the distributor? and when I turn the tractor on the light will blink when the points open and close? I can?t seem to get a reading at the distributor at all.
 
Trying to help. Turning the tractor on means starting it and having it running. I don't think that is happening. Turning it on could also mean making it crank over but not start. If that is the case, blinking of a test light attached to the distributor side terminal and ground, is what it should do. Jim
 
Yes I apologize. I meant cranking the engine. When I checked with a 12v tester 2 days ago, I had the tester go on at the distributor and blink when I cranked the engine. Now I?m not getting the light on the tester to light up at the distributor at all. I?m gunna check if the points are closed and also check the wire with meter
 
Remember the purpose of the distributor is to ground the coil to turn it on, then shut it off to make a spark. If when cranking there is no blinking on that distributor, the points are either not opening, or there is a short that keeps the movable point grounded at all times. (a short to ground) Jim
 
the light when I test distributor isn?t on at all. So it can?t blink cause it?s not on. That?s the problem. Why is the distributor not lighting up when I test it. I?m probably really bad at explaining what?s happening.
 
This diagram shows you why the wire to the distributor has no electricity in it when the points are closed.
When they are open, the wire to the dist. will have volts. Jim
cvphoto1878.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 11:00:43 01/10/20) This diagram shows you why the wire to the distributor has no electricity in it when the points are closed.
When they are open, the wire to the dist. will have volts. Jim
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto1878.jpg">
ompletely clears it up for you, doesn't it Jack?
 

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