No start - Starter doesn't engage

[Panici]

well finally figured it out. It was the starter after all... The old started gave up but when I installed the new one, I connected the smallest wire to the wrong prong. I don't know what the other one does, but when I connected the wire to the right prong, it started right up.

Glad you got it figured out.

I've also done the same thing (wire on the wrong spot), but on my M52B28 starter.
In that case, the starter spun freely with the key but didn't engage the flywheel.
I was quite confused until I realized that it uses a starter solenoid to extend the gear rather then a mechanical bendix.

[reelizmpro]

I'd be looking at the starter solenoid and the connections.

So you did all that extra stuff without checking the connections at the starter solenoid? Come on man.

[tcheb]

So you did all that extra stuff without checking the connections at the starter solenoid? Come on man.

I know. I feel a bit dumb. I did check the connections multiple times, but I just didn't even notice there were two connectors. Once the starter was installed the correct one was hidden under the positive cable and only the other one was visible. Given that the cable fit perfectly on the other prong I didn't even think to look for another one...