that is what the solenoid does.  it sends the contact forward
connecting the high current lead to the starter and pushing the gear
out to the flywheel. if not enough current to do the triggering or
there is to much resistance in the lever then it never makes it far
enough forward to make the connections.
in the case of a starter relay (like  on some fords) it directly makes
a high current connection without moving a lever and the starter used
the high current connections to make the contacts.
jimt
On Thursday, Nov 7, 2002, at 16:40 America/Denver, Michael Townsend
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I searched the archives and read your message -- thanks.  But, how
> come the
> starter doesn't turn?  It seems like if the solenoid is stuck, the
> starter
> would simply turn with a retracted solenoid.  Is there some sort of
> switch
> in there which doesn't engage the starter motor until the solenoid is
> fully
> extended?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael