You mentioned 'shorting' out the starter connections locally... To what exactly back there did you provide power? If you put power to the braided wire between the starter and solenoid , that'll provide power to the starter and it'll go round. But you need to supply power to the spade clip on on the back of the solenoid. That will kick the starter gear in, and internally provide power to the starter. Unless the solenoid is bad.

And of course, make sure there's a wire to said spade clip. I've had them fall off many a time.


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-Matt I ♥ my ♂