Hello jparker, I am not familiar with this particular machine, however I do believe it isn't likely that you have done irreparable damage to it either. I might suggest that you carefully remove the sheet metal covers from it and very closely and carefully inspect the underlying wiring and connection points for any obvious signs of excessive corrosion or arcing points of any type, if you do see signs of this sort of thing it might be worth spending a little bit of time carefully cleaning these connection points. Also, you mentioned that the previous owner had indicated that he had some problems with the local switch. I am guessing you are referring to the local/remote switch that is used when you have a remote amperage control connected to the machine, I'm not absolutely sure how these work on the Lincoln machines but on some other machines if this switch is stuck in the remote position or it isn't making proper contact in the local position your machine will not recognize the output settings that you have set and thus won't have output or could have really low output and simply emit very small little sparks when you try to initiate the arc. If you wish to test this switch you could very carefully disconnect the wires that are connected to it taking care to identify them for proper reconnection. Once they are disconnected use a continuity tester to check for continuity from the center pole(s) to one set or the other that is above or below the center set. When this switch is in the upward position you will usually notice continuity between the center pole(s) and the lower pole(s), when the switch is in the downward position you will usually notice continuity between the center pole(s) and the upper pole(s). If this testing checks out, the switch is likely functioning properly, if not I would look to this to possibly be part of your problem. If none of this works and the problem still exists I would defer to the many more intelligent folks of the forum with more experience on possibly this very machine. Best regards, aevald

jtmcc has a classic 2 maybe he'll chime in if he's around. My buddy has a 96 with the duetz . he had a wire short out in the exciter and it quit like that and he only has 1600 hrs on his

Those big local/remote switches are a pain in the butt, but they won't switch by themselves. So you were welding along and you lost arc? Did you also lose you auxillary (110) power? Does it go to high idle when you try and strike an arc? Answers these and I'll answer and ask some more. It nothing major, so don't get too excited.

code#10071  http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/operatorsmanualdatasheet.aspx?p=32984

There is a fuse behind the control panel, check it. Check your exciter (2) brushes. There is also a bridge rectifier (2"x2" black square component with 4 spade terminals) check the connections to it. The fuse you can get anywhere and the bridge rectifier is part# 035604 $16.00.