Pullstart 62,905 #1 Posted July 6, 2022 So I’ve had Poppy the 552 on the charger for a day and while I was testing for fire I walked away with the coil powered up. This is a 552 (just a little customized) with a C-81 starter/charging system and a simple on/off switch for the coil and a push button for the starter. Before I tear into troubleshooting… 1) Think I fried the coil? 2) Think I zapped the points? 3) Think I’m totally wrong? 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #2 Posted July 6, 2022 1 minute ago, Pullstart said: I walked away with the coil powered up. Been ther done that.... if the points were open should be ok. Otherwise try just dollar billing the points or swapping out the coil. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,355 #3 Posted July 6, 2022 Is that a lighted toggle that lights up when in the on position? If not, I recommend using one so you can tell at a glance if the coil is powered on 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #4 Posted July 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, WHX?? said: Been ther done that.... if the points were open should be ok. Otherwise try just dollar billing the points or swapping out the coil. That’s my plan of attack for troubleshooting for the time being 1 minute ago, cafoose said: Is that a lighted toggle that lights up when in the on position? If not, I recommend using one so you can tell at a glance if the coil is powered on not a bad idea Chuck! Currently it is not lit, but not very often do I attempt to start it without running it (and shutting it off) 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #5 Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, cafoose said: lighted toggle so that you can tell at a glance if the coil is powered on That or a big-ozz siren... Don Edited July 6, 2022 by Snoopy11 Why it posted 3 pictures of the same thing... I have no clue... 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,828 #6 Posted July 6, 2022 8 minutes ago, Pullstart said: not a bad idea Chuck! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cafoose 3,355 #7 Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) 16 minutes ago, Snoopy11 said: That or a big-ozz siren... Or a BFH Got it had a hard time embedding it Edited July 6, 2022 by cafoose 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #8 Posted July 6, 2022 6 minutes ago, cafoose said: Or a BFH I was also thinking... maybe you could wire in a timing relay, Kevin... so it stays on long enough to crank (say 5 seconds or so)... but doesn't stay on in the event... you forget to turn the switch off? @Jeff-C175... what say you? Or... on second thought... maybe rigging up some wires for self punishment in the event that the switch is left on... via zee shock treatment... Don 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #9 Posted July 6, 2022 Smoke, Stink or it didn't happen! 1 1 8 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,600 #10 Posted July 6, 2022 If the coil was not hot to the touch when you noticed the issue, then chances are that the points were open and zero damage occurred. if the coil was hot to the touch then it may be fried as well as the points. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #11 Posted July 6, 2022 1 minute ago, Achto said: If the coil was not hot to the touch when you noticed the issue, then chances are that the points were open and zero damage occurred. if the coil was hot to the touch then it may be fried as well as the points. I didn’t think to check the temp of anything when I did it the other day… but if I dollar bill the points I have spark for about three revolutions then it peters out. Clean ‘em again, it sparks a few times. Let it rest the same amount, still no spark. Tells me the points are burnt and the coil is just fine.. 🤞 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,600 #12 Posted July 6, 2022 1 minute ago, Pullstart said: but if I dollar bill the points I have spark for about three revolutions then it peters out. You might need to get a little more aggressive cleaning. Try running some 400 to 600 grit paper through the points, then dollar bill them. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 12,083 #13 Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) With all the safety junk added over the years, I often wonder why the ignition wire was never run through a seat switch? All hour meters would be accurate, and millions of batteries would have been saved on top of burnt ignition parts. ...Now that I read what I typed- it makes sense why they didn't do it... Edited July 6, 2022 by kpinnc 2 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #14 Posted July 6, 2022 Just now, kpinnc said: With all the safety junk added over the years, I often wonder why the ignition wire was never run through a seat switch? True sir, very true. That goes along with my line of thinking... What is that saying about an ounce of prevention...? Okay... nevermind... How 'bout proactive vs. reactive... Don 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #15 Posted July 6, 2022 I filed the points and pulled one out of @953 nut’s playbook (swapped out the weak battery for a known good one) and we have fire! 5 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #16 Posted July 6, 2022 You mean you didn't check battery voltage first? 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #17 Posted July 6, 2022 (edited) 2 minutes ago, squonk said: You mean you didn't check battery voltage first? I did (it had over 12volta) but noticed a pretty steep voltage drop when cranking. Edited July 6, 2022 by Pullstart 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #18 Posted July 6, 2022 1 minute ago, squonk said: You mean you didn't check battery voltage first? Don 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #19 Posted July 6, 2022 It’s running sweet and charging too! Taking the time to check things over with the hood off, I noticed the exhaust nipple is pretty loose in the head. I’ll probably not run it much until I get that fixed up. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #20 Posted July 6, 2022 Just now, Pullstart said: I did (it had over 12volta) but noticed a pretty steep voltage drop when cranking. So you pretty much had the answer before you asked the question. I would have loved to have you as my Guinea Pig at the electrical clinic we did back in 2000. would have been a riot! 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #21 Posted July 6, 2022 2 minutes ago, Pullstart said: noticed a pretty steep voltage drop when cranking 2 minutes ago, squonk said: So you pretty much had the answer before you asked the question 1 hour ago, Pullstart said: 1) Think I fried the coil? 2) Think I zapped the points? 3) Think I’m totally wrong? Yeah I guess this turned out to be option 3 then... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,905 #22 Posted July 6, 2022 Thanks guys for your help today. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,173 #23 Posted July 6, 2022 Maybe some of you guys remember a couple wks ago I posted on a very similar experience -- Ignition coil/key left on. In case you need a reminder to turn the key off when leaving the tractor .... heres that pic again. (Obviously the points were in closed position!!) 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,016 #24 Posted July 6, 2022 3 hours ago, squonk said: Smoke, Stink or it didn't happen! Where did you find that? In the British Victoria catalogue? 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #25 Posted July 6, 2022 1 hour ago, Pullstart said: Thanks guys for your help today. Help and hopefully some laughs... Don 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
