My starter... stopped

[Steve]

As a bonus, I now know how a solenoid works.

Something else for your trivia bank: you now know how a relay works, too.

For some reason, a very heavy-duty relay is called a "solenoid".

If you reduce them both to their basic simplicity, all they are is "remote-controlled switches".

.

[Roostabunny]

Big T: I was surprised at how little gunk there was. Slight burnage on the contacts, which is what I cleaned. Main impression - not bad after almost 30 years!

@Steve: Yeah, after I was done I went to the Wikipedia page for "solenoid" and though "Ah, that's why people seem to use the term 'relay' half the time". They're the same thing!
This was a nice easy start - I'm working for a telecom equipment manufacturer now, surrounded by EE's - no better time to finally start to learn how electricity works and apply it on my GS.