Creative Electrical Troubleshooting
Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 4:36 pm
Well we finally got some snow to push last night. The other day we got about 2-3 inches but that doesn't count. Last night we got between 6-8 inches, something worth getting out to plow. I got up early to plow out my drive and the neighbor across the street before we both left for church. All went well but I didn't have time to plow my second driveway that goes back to the barn. I also wanted to plow out another neighbor that is visiting parents in California this week.
After getting home from church I went out to finish my plowing job. I started my '53 to let it warm up while I opened the overhead door and figured I'd check the fuel level while I was at it but didn't think it should be too low. After opening the door I started to remove the gas cap and suddenly the tractor just died. It was as if someone had just shut off the ignition switch. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't even fire, not a pop. I assumed it was an electrical issue so I checked voltage to the coil and it had 6 volts. Next, I popped off the distributor cap and looked at the points and saw they were pitted so I used some emery paper to shine up the contacts. I pulled out the manual to check the point gap. Point gap should be set at .020". Mine was quite a bit less than the specified amount so I set the gap to .020. Before putting the cap back on, I cranked it over and looked to make sure that I had spark at the points. Yep. Cranked it over again and it still wouldn't start. Bummer!!
Okay, I've got spark so that only leaves fuel as a probable cause to keep it from running. So......I pulled the gas cap off and looked inside the tank and guess what? Yep.
Just thought I'd let you know that I am available for expert troubleshooting if you have a problem with your any of your Cubs.
After getting home from church I went out to finish my plowing job. I started my '53 to let it warm up while I opened the overhead door and figured I'd check the fuel level while I was at it but didn't think it should be too low. After opening the door I started to remove the gas cap and suddenly the tractor just died. It was as if someone had just shut off the ignition switch. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't even fire, not a pop. I assumed it was an electrical issue so I checked voltage to the coil and it had 6 volts. Next, I popped off the distributor cap and looked at the points and saw they were pitted so I used some emery paper to shine up the contacts. I pulled out the manual to check the point gap. Point gap should be set at .020". Mine was quite a bit less than the specified amount so I set the gap to .020. Before putting the cap back on, I cranked it over and looked to make sure that I had spark at the points. Yep. Cranked it over again and it still wouldn't start. Bummer!!
Okay, I've got spark so that only leaves fuel as a probable cause to keep it from running. So......I pulled the gas cap off and looked inside the tank and guess what? Yep.
Just thought I'd let you know that I am available for expert troubleshooting if you have a problem with your any of your Cubs.