Mike, My general rule of thumb beginning point is if when you depress the starter switch the lights dim way down badly and/or the battery voltage drops down drastically, the switch is okay but the starter is the problem (BUTTTTT it may JUST be mechanicaaly stuck/jammed, check that first by loosening thE startEr and/or rocking the engine over). Next anytine the starter fails to crank I always advise you to remove, clean n wire brush, n reattach each n every battery n starter n switch n ground cable connection FIRST. It may just be a bad cable or connection problem!!!!! ! Next, insure the batery is good and have it load checked, even if the starter n switch n cables are alllll l perfect, if thE batetry is weak or bad NO CRANKING..... Next if the battery n cables are all good n the starters not mechanically stuck/jammed but if you depress the switch the lights dont dim and the battery voltage dont drop, then I suspect possibly its ONLY a bad starter switch ALTHOUGH the starter could be bad like the brushes !!!!! !!!!! If the switch is a stand alone 2 terminal (like the pedestal mount instead of the saddle type right on the starter) its very easy to use jumper cables to by pass jump around the switch to see if its just a switch problem. You simply jump hot battery voltage direct to the starter post n see if she cranks then to figure if the switch is bad. If the switch is a saddle type direct on the starter, remove it n see if its all burned up n carboned) new swich may fix the problem) and/or the copper starter post is all burned up n pitted (needs new post) Finallyyyyy yy if its the starter typical causes may be the brushes are worn too low or the bushings are bad and the armature is dragging or the arnmatue is bad or shorted. let us know what you find John T
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