Hi guys, need advice..I have a new old Sullivan starter, by that I mean that the starter is 20 years old but never used. The 12 volt battery is also old but never had electrolyte in it or charged. I took the battery to the local auto parts store and they said it might be OK. Filled it with electrolyte and charged it up. Connect the starter, positive to positive, negative etc and the starter runs when connected. You have to squeeze the handle to get it to stop. Is this normal for this starter? Is the battery any good? Help and thanks BTW I do not have the starter instructions.

The starter is supposed to spin when you squeeze the switch and stop when you ease off the pressure. If it runs all the time then its not right. Reversing the leads will only make it turn the opposite direction but try reversing them and see what that does but it probably won't solve the problem. The starter is supposed to turn counter clock wise if you have the starter pointed at the plane nose cone. If you don't mind tinkering, you may be able to pull the starter apart and see whats wrong with the starter switch. It sounds like the contacts are sticking and you may be able to free them up. Good luck.

Sounds like a switch problem probably caused by lack of use (oxidation of the contacts). Normally Sullivan starters a great products, plenty of torque. It is well worth a little effort to try to repair.

Most of these old style (and I think many of the current ones) use a type of spongy material to spring the contacts back open when you release the grip on the switch. This old foam (I call it foam for lack or a better word) deteriorates with time and will no long springs back to its undepressed state, in fact it turns to a powdery form and just falls apart. I have temporarioly restored them to use by finding a suitable springy material to place between the contacts in liu of the old stuff. You could also install a bypass switch if you can find one with adequate capacity (at least a 20 amp capacity). You do need a very good switch for it to last, also very heavy wire on the switch contacts.

Try going to : http://www.sullivanproducts.com/ and ordering a new switch for about $5. I think the part you want is P/N S98243short but you can email them with your exact model info and get a recomendation from them.

can't get much better than that IMHO.

Take the switch apart carefullyly and you will see the foam (refered to before )under a lond rectangular flat piece of metal. When you squeese the handle the metal makes the contact then when you let go the foam pushes it back and the contact is broken. It's really simple and just some foam will fix it, it's just old. I used a small piece of foam from a piece of pipe insulation to fix mine. ENJOY!!! RED

If finding foam is a problem, try gluing a couple of small rubber grommets in place of the deterioted foam. Worked for me and should last a looooong time.

I had this problem with mine last year. I did exactly what you suggest, sent an email to confirm the part number and price. It ended up costing $6.38 with shipping.

Thanks guys....Took it apart. It has two flat brass strips with black foam, three pieces, spaced along the strip. They were in good shape. I think they were squeezed by the rubber handle, which was crimped at one end inside the part that holds the handle. Repositioned the strips and it works good now. Thanks for all your input. Dave

It works, that is all that counts. Now go use it.