Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo Auction Link (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

Ford 601 weak spark

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
VFMerc

11-10-2007 19:21:11




Report to Moderator

I have a Ford 601 that's been sitting idel for a while and I'm having difficulty getting it to start. I've installed new points, cleaned and gapped the plugs (they were fairly new), and put in fresh gas without success. Holding the number 1 wire away from the spark plug and craking it, the spark appears weak. Is there a way to confirm if this is the problem and improve the spark? Thanks VFM




[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
El Toro

11-10-2007 19:39:58




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to VFMerc, 11-10-2007 19:21:11  
You may have a weak coil. Hal



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
VFMerc

11-11-2007 04:05:13




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to El Toro, 11-10-2007 19:39:58  
Thanks. I'll look into the coil. Since I can't tell how old the coil is, is there a good way to trouble shoot a coil to see if it's putting out what it should?
VFMerc



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
El Toro

11-11-2007 04:32:08




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to VFMerc, 11-11-2007 04:05:13  
Make sure you have a good well charged battery since that's supply's voltage to your coil. If the coil is old I would replace it. You can buy a new 12 volt coil with a built in ballast resistor for less than $20.00 from Napa if your tractor is 12 volts.. Their part number is IC14SB. Hal



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

11-10-2007 19:28:30




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to VFMerc, 11-10-2007 19:21:11  
Check your point gap and also clean the points. Some times new points will have a coat of oil on them and if they do you get a weak spark if you get any spark. Also jumper across your ignition swithc to make sure its not going bad



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
VFMerc

11-11-2007 04:11:42




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to old, 11-10-2007 19:28:30  
Thanks. I spent yesterday gapping the points and am pretty sure they are set and clean. I'm thinking it may be the coil. I rebuild the carburator before I deployed along with doing a plugs, points, rotor etc. It seems like I have had this trouble when it sits without being started for a while. If I start it regularly it runs fine. I'd like to check the coil before I replace it but I'm not sure how. It's probably a safe bet it is fairly old.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
old

11-11-2007 08:41:50




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to VFMerc, 11-11-2007 04:11:42  
One simple test is to take the cap off and the dust cover off. Then with the switch on open and close the points with one hand and hold the coil wire close to the engine block. You should get a spark at both the points and at the coil wire



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
VFMerc

11-11-2007 18:16:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to old, 11-11-2007 08:41:50  
Thanks. I'll give it a try.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
VFMerc

11-11-2007 18:16:40




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to old, 11-11-2007 08:41:50  
Thanks. I'll give it a try.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Bob Farrell

11-11-2007 08:40:24




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to VFMerc, 11-11-2007 04:11:42  
Might want to look at the battery ground strap - both ends - good, clean connections. Bad ground equals weak or no spark. bob f.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
VFMerc

11-11-2007 18:17:43




Report to Moderator
 Re: Ford 601 weak spark in reply to Bob Farrell, 11-11-2007 08:40:24  
Will do.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


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. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 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