SA 200 Exciter don't tach up

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My welders vaccum type exciter isn't working.     I pulled little selenoid coil off.     It is retracting when arc is struck.  ??    Anyone know what I should check and how next?
Reply:I meant Idler, not exciter.      R 57 Idler
Reply:Diaphram issue probably, I've got a couple here, but it is a no fix issue, best to go electronic, instead of pulling your hair out.
Reply:If you don't want to spend any $$$ because it is not an everyday runner just pin it on hi and weld away.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:yeah,   thanks guys.    must be diaphram, i can blow and suck air consistantly through tube leading out of intake mant.
Reply:If you really have the initiative to fix it, you can uncrimp the hpusing from the diapham, use rtv to seal the damage, give the rest of it with a light coat of engine oil, and recrimp it.
Reply:No offense to those selling idler upgrades; but we really should put our heads together and come up with a simple, reliable, poor-boy idler retrofit. The trick will be to source cheap reliable components. With all the smarts around here, we ought to be able to do that.Maybe a 12v solenoid from some common automotive application, a current sensor, and a timer relay.  I would think that a control that is far superior to the originals, could be built for less than a $100.