Generator Woes

To clarify, I am not getting so much as a "click" when I use the start button. Nothing, zip, zilch. I tend to agree that it si a bad connection somewhere. One minute it was running great, the next minute, nothing. There is power at the solonoid - both on the battery lead and one of the coil wires.

Just to be clear: "won't even turn over" means that the starter motor is not turning the engine crankshaft for some reason. There are a few possible reasons for this.

Maybe power isn't getting to the starter: either a loose or broken power connection somewhere, or a failure of the starter solenoid, or of the control circuitry to the solenoid. Checking voltages with a voltmeter/test light should track this down fairly readily. Also verify that the ground connections are good.

If power is going to the starter motor, the starter could be bad or sticking.

If the starter motor is turning but the engine isn't, probably there is a broken tooth on the engine flywheel where the starter engages, or a worn pinion on the starter, or something sticking or bad in the benedix mechanism on the starter. Some starters have an overrun clutch on the pinion that is supposed to let the pinion turn faster than the starter motor when the engine catches; sometimes these clutches wear out and freewheel in both directions. (I don't think this is too common on small engine starters, though.)

It's also possible that the engine has seized up for some reason. You should be able to turn it over (or at least move the crankshaft somewhat) by hand.

My bet would be on a loose/broken connection somewhere (either control or 12V power) or some issue with the starter motor itself.

With an almost 30 year old rig, I'd look at the main power connections to the generator and grounds and then move to the switches. There's power to them, but is it going out of the switches also and are the connections on the generator clean and solid. Take each connection off and clean it. You might also find one that's loose in the process.

Bill

The starter may need a "mechanical adjustment" which can be done with a light blow with a hammer.

Hand held meter?

12-volt Test Light?