MF 65 Power Loss No Start

SaveMy50 · Jan 16, 2023

Tractor lost power while grading, now won't start. Cold so haven't done a complete diagnostic yet. But with my MF 50 last summer, my coil just up and failed, luckily I had an old one (prob changed before needed).
Is there an easy way to test a bad coil?
Are the coils on this site better than others?
I suspect I should change condenser too, since that is the other mini black box to figure out.

Jim.ME · Jan 16, 2023

(quoted from post at 17:40:26 01/16/23) Tractor lost power while grading, now won't start. Cold so haven't done a complete diagnostic yet. But with my MF 50 last summer, my coil just up and failed, luckily I had an old one (prob changed before needed).
Is there an easy way to test a bad coil?
Are the coils on this site better than others?
I suspect I should change condenser too, since that is the other mini black box to figure out.

It might be a coil. It might be a condenser. Or not either, I would recommend some diagnostic checks before just changing parts.

Hold the distributor end of the coil wire about an eight of an inch from the block and see if you have spark. If not check the points for spark. Yes, it might be a condenser.

How cold? Water (ice) in gas? Crud plugging tank outlet or screen in carb? Get a jar and try the fuel flow test. Did you get your carb rebuilt? Last summer you posted about running 1/3 choked to keep it going.

SaveMy50 · Jan 22, 2023

Ok I had planned to check for spark at end of spark plug, but I've never tested a coil so I'll try, assuming it will immediately spark with key on as power is there full time.

I did run the gas a bit low, refilled now, so I'll drain carb and check flow.

Carb has not been rebuilt, yes it continues to run with choke taped 1/3 open. If I have spark, then I'll remove carb for maintenance.

Issue started before it got real cold, I just meant its parked in a bad spot, sloped slightly uphill, and its been too cold for me to get at it.

Jim.ME · Jan 22, 2023

(quoted from post at 15:41:33 01/22/23) Ok I had planned to check for spark at end of spark plug, but I've never tested a coil so I'll try, assuming it will immediately spark with key on as power is there full time.

I did run the gas a bit low, refilled now, so I'll drain carb and check flow.

Carb has not been rebuilt, yes it continues to run with choke taped 1/3 open. If I have spark, then I'll remove carb for maintenance.

Issue started before it got real cold, I just meant its parked in a bad spot, sloped slightly uphill, and its been too cold for me to get at it.

Jim.ME · Jan 22, 2023

The coil makes sparks when the points open, so it needs to be cranking over when testing for spark, just as needed to check for spark at a plug wire.

SaveMy50 · Feb 27, 2023

Found positive battery terminal connector corroded against terminal, cleaned, and it started up and has power

I still need to clean air system, fix fuel bowl drip leak, but more important complete a carburetor kit (on TSX683) and try and figure if that helps (running with choke on).

SaveMy50 · Aug 1, 2023

So removed carburetor, its actually a TSX 695, new carb kit, set needle at 1 turn (it was 2 turns) and power at at 1 (was 1 3/4 turns). Checked fuel line, good flow. Reinstalled. Started fine, idled down set fine. Adjusted needle valve to 1 1/8, power to 1 1/4, seems to run better, but my hearing not great. Now to work on throttle brake system as it doesn't hold. Also notice governor is hard to notice engaging, but this tractor is big enough to haul and work baler easy (compared to 35 and 50).

MF 65 Power Loss No Start

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