No Spark 74 JDX8

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b00stinGTP
Posts: 395
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:00 am
Location: Freeport Illinois/Whitewater Wisconsin

No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by b00stinGTP »

My 74 JDX8 electric start is getting no spark. I disabled the keyswitch/kill switch, no spark on either cylinder. I replaced the points, still no spark. What should I do/check now to continue trouble shooting? Thanks.
Sleds I own
1974 John Deere JDX8. (SOLD)
1975 John Deere JDX4. (SOLD)
1977 John Deere Liquifire 440. (SOLD)
1978 John Deere Cyclone 340. (SOLD)
1980 John Deere Liquifire. (SOLD)
1983 John Deere Liquifire.
Matt
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Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by Matt »

No spark on either cylinder or just one of them? When you say you disabled the switches, you mean you unplugged the sled's harness from the engine?
:usa: Matt - JDsleds.com Administrator
JDT
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Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by JDT »

Make sure to check the grounds on the coils. Sometimes one finds some light corrosion on the two long bolts and the spacers that hold the coils to the fan housing.
Also the replaceable sparkplug wires can be the problem. You can check these with an OHM meter. Also ohm out the coils.
The ground connection on the stator can be bad or corroded.
Let us know what you find.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
b00stinGTP
Posts: 395
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:00 am
Location: Freeport Illinois/Whitewater Wisconsin

Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by b00stinGTP »

No spark to both cylinders, and yeah I unplugged the harness. I will check those things and let you guys know what I find. Thanks.
Sleds I own
1974 John Deere JDX8. (SOLD)
1975 John Deere JDX4. (SOLD)
1977 John Deere Liquifire 440. (SOLD)
1978 John Deere Cyclone 340. (SOLD)
1980 John Deere Liquifire. (SOLD)
1983 John Deere Liquifire.
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400brian
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Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by 400brian »

If all else checks out OK, it is usually that the points need to be cleaned.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
JDT
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Location: Milbank South Dakota

Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by JDT »

True Brian. Even though he put in new points they still may need to be cleaned.
I have seen new points that had a thin layer of grease on them or ones that have had a slight amount of oxidation.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
b00stinGTP
Posts: 395
Joined: Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:00 am
Location: Freeport Illinois/Whitewater Wisconsin

Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by b00stinGTP »

Well everything checked out, so am I right to be thinking ignition coil now?
Sleds I own
1974 John Deere JDX8. (SOLD)
1975 John Deere JDX4. (SOLD)
1977 John Deere Liquifire 440. (SOLD)
1978 John Deere Cyclone 340. (SOLD)
1980 John Deere Liquifire. (SOLD)
1983 John Deere Liquifire.
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400brian
Posts: 5626
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Re: No Spark 74 JDX8

Post by 400brian »

Are the points grounded? Are the wires going to the points on the correct sides of the insulating washers? We've seen this before. It's rare to have no spark to either side. The points are opening and closing, right?
Yes, you could have a failure of the generating coil, check it out.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
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