Chainsaws

Carl.

A number of possibilities, but should be easy to find and fix the problem.

If you remove the switch, and have access to a continuity tester or ohmmeter, connect the meter to the switch and toggle the switch back and forth, to shut the saw off the switch has to close or have about 1 ohm or less resistance. Note: The switch is actually connecting the ignition coil to ground when placed in the off position.

If you do not have a meter or tester, than simply remove the switch, and short out the switch with a piece of copper wire or in essence connecting the two switch wires together, than try starting the chainsaw. The chainsaw should Not start, if this test works and the saw does not start then simply replace the switch, you could try spraying some cleaner into the switch, but I would just replace it.

OK, If the saw does start with the shorting wire inplace, then your switch is probably good and  you may have a bad wire to either the ground srew on the coil, or to the ignition coil itself. Remove the pull starter so that you can carefully inspect the flywheel ignition module and wiring. Look for any abrasion in the wiring where maybe it got cut from the flywheel, or from engine vibration. Also look for any loose connections or connectors in the wires from the switch to the ignition coil. Make sure the screw to the ground terminal is a good and tight connection.

If you can't find anything obvious, you can always make up a couple pieces of 16 gauge test wires, and just simply replace the two wires to the switch or substitute the wires, if you don't have a meter or anyway of continuity testing the wire leads.

I hope this helps.