O.k. the starter worked Monday. I cranked the engine over with key off to get the gas pumped to the carb. Battery was low, I hooked to charger, still worked. Teus. morning I went to crank for the first time, nothing. Pushed the switch by hand, nothing. Whacked it with a hammer, nothing. Pulled the switch off and the contact was rough. Switched switches with another starter, nothing. Took to auto electric, they converted to 12v, fixed what ailed it. Got it home tonight and hooked it up.........you guessed it, nothing. Any ideas? I pulled the switch tonight, the terminal inside was spinning. I locked it down with a nut in position, put it together..........wait for it.........NOTHING. It doesn't even bump, grind, chatter, click, nothing. WTH?
Hot wire Russ - I assume that you tried to hot wire the starter, bypassing the ignition switch? and nothing? Ground checked?
Russ, this sounds too easy to be a possibility but, is it possible that you have paint build up on the starter and/or housing that is preventing it from getting a good ground? You might try removing the starter and connecting it directly to a battery and see if it kicks in that way. Foot starters are all mechanical, so there shouldn't be any reason for the starter not to at least grunt at you!
Russ, I sometimes have a similar problem where I get in, turn the key on, hit the pedal and....nothing. I have noticed that at that point I have lost all electric. I have narrowed it down to a bad ground issue. My issue is right at the battery where the PO had installed a quick disconnect thumbscrew attachment to the black cable. Maybe you have similar issue. Josh
One thing to try since it's the easiest is to put an 1/8" or so spacer on top the switch plunger (or between the plunger and the spring loaded arm that pushes it down). If you have the switch off again put the end of the battery cable onto the contact that goes into the starting motor and see if it spins. It won't engage the flywheel, just spin the motor, but will let you know if the problem is in the motor or the switch.
