[AT] Starting Problem/Electrical?

[Mike Sloane]

I don't have an instant solution for you, Rob, but here are some things 
that you can do to start:

Remove one or more of the spark plugs. If they are "wet" with fuel, you 
are getting gas but no spark. If they are completely dry, you are 
probably getting spark but no gas.

Check the oil in the air cleaner - I have had condensation get in there 
on my 860 so deeply that no air could get past.

Pull one of the plug leads and position it so that it is about 1/8" from 
  any ground and crank - you should hear a "click" and see a blue spark 
jump the gap every so often.

Take a look at the cap, wires, and coil - if they are dirty, moisture 
will stick to them and sometimes permit a leak to ground, robbing you of 
a spark. Also make sure the inside of the cap is clean and dry for the 
same reason. An ordinary hair dryer can be used to dry things out quickly.

If you don't have any spark (and this is common in the damp last couple 
of weeks we have had in our region), your points may need more than just 
a "light sanding" to get rid of the layer of oxidation that may be 
there. For what they cost, you might want to run down to your local NH 
dealer and pick up a replacement set - they have just the points, so you 
don't have to buy a complete tune-up kit.

Those are most of my suggestions for someone without a lot of "Joe 
Mechanic" experience or fancy equipment. If you want to get fancy, at 
<http://public.fotki.com/mikesloane/tools__equipment/ignition_tester.html> 
you will see my "50 cent spark checker" that consists of an old working 
spark plug, a hose clamp, and a battery clip. You can buy these already 
made up, but this one works just as well (for me). Just clip it to a 
bare spot, not the painted bolt I used to stage the picture.

Good luck, and let us know how you made out,

Mike



Rob Gray wrote:
> My 8N has been so reliable over the years that I've never become very 
> experienced at diagnosing/fixing starting problems with it. On top of 
> that I'm not Joe Mechanic to say the least. Recently it won't start and 
> I've done/checked the following so far:
> 
> 1) Confirmed that gas is flowing fine to the carburator
> 2) Starter is spinning fine
> 3) Battery is fully charged
> 4) I lightly sanded the points in the distributor and on the roter since 
> they were a little oxidized
> 5) The wires from the distributor to the spark plugs appear to be fine
> 
> I believe the problem is related to no spark, or at least electrical in 
> nature
> 
> Can someone give me a hint as to what to check next/what to do?
> 
> Rob
> 
> 

-- 
Mike Sloane
Allamuchy NJ
<mikesloane at verizon.net>
Website: <www.geocities.com/mikesloane>
Images: <www.fotki.com/mikesloane>

Religion--freedom--vengeance--what you will, A word's enough
to raise mankind to kill. -Lord Byron, poet (1788-1824)


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