While installing new battery cables, I noticed that the little clamshell that contains the starter button (on top of the starter) was loose. So, on a hunch, I backed out the unseated screws (which were too long and bottomed out inside the starter) and what did I discover?
One side of that little insulator card inside the clamshell was folded over and caught in between the copper contacts. So only about 1/8" of surface area was making contact on the copper pads. Clearly a shoddy installation, because if done properly, the copper button on the starter keeps those little wings out to the sides and out of the contact path.
It finally cranks reasonably well...but it appears that this is just the beginning...there are many more bugs to work out of this car.
Cheers!
