John Deere 420 Crawler/ Why won't it START??!

The stinking thing won't start!

[@freeradical6390]

I have a 57 420c. It was next to impossible to start when I got it. Put new batt cables on.....got a little better. One day it died and I couldnt get it going again. It was also puking fuel out the carb intake. Rebuilt carb twice, filed carb faces flat etc. Still same. Bought new carb, still overflowing. Bought new electronic ignition...... and whamo! it starts in the first half a turn every time now! It has never run better! The ignition is a Must do! Its all still 6v positive ground to. I just did some snow dozin with her, and she fired up instantly frozen cold.

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Interesting! Where did you find your electronic ignition?

[@freeradical6390]

@@gotwoodinhead6814 430 motor is exactly the same except it has two dip sticks. I got the electronic ign. from Stiener. I got the whole kit, coil, plug wires and ign. The points are a never ending pain in the arse.

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

@@freeradical6390 Ok. I've ordered stuff from them before. Ill check that out. Thanks!

[@freeradical6390]

@@gotwoodinhead6814 I think you can find cheaper but getting it right- 6v postive ground, the coil etc.- wasnt worth the hassle to me.

[@RFBennett]

My little MC used to get into a funk once in a while. Everything would be as it should, but it wouldn't fire. It had weak spark, but it always had weak spark, it was a 6 volt. Some Guru told us to turn on the ignition and ground the points out on their base plate. Just make a little sparky spark. Put the cap back on and it would fire right off. This was a newly re-built, tight engine, that ran like a champ. I've never seen this trick in any book or post. Apparently not a problem with rubber tires, so, I don't know.... Maybe a grounding issue. Glad he ran for you, but keep this in mind, and thanks for the memories...

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Ah, interesting info. I haven't heard that one before. I wonder if it is similar to grounding the voltage regulator like you're supposed to do... I don't really understand the whys of it though. Thanks for the info and for stopping by!

[@rickrick7309]

There is a little fuse behind the dash or above the battery

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Ya. I fixed it :)

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Your battery is weak or you need 2 new battery cables. Remember it is positive ground.

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Yeah, usually I keep it on a trickle charger. it has new cables- it's just been sitting a while. I think some of the connections were corroded as well.

[@JohnSmith-lw2bm]

Use a business card to clean the grit off the points after filing them. Firm paper is needed.

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Didn't know about that. Will Do! Thanks

[@chrisfiat]

That point cam is bone dry put some grease on it

[@floydrhodesiv5733]

Always, drag a piece of clean paper between the points after using sanding. It will make much better spark n won't burn the points if you do this.

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Thank you for the advice. Will do!

[@rickrick7309]

Fuse in the dash

[@rogerthomas169]

there's nothing worse in problem solving then when you have two things causing the issue

[@gotwoodinhead6814]

Thats for sure! Makes it a bit difficult to diagnose.