roberte
Addicted to ArboristSite
Cool that you found the reason yourself, as i couldn't figure out what was wrong.
The common trouble with the Stihl combo switch is that people don't know that they are supposed to grip the rear handle and press the throttle "trigger", to set it in "high idle" or "on choke". It is very inconvenient, and many newbs that didn't read the user manual don't know - so they destroy the switches by forcing them down to those positions.
It is a seriously bad design, as the right hand has no business back there at that point, except for that, unless you dropstart with the right hand on the rear handle, and the left on the starter rope (I don't think that is too common)....
You mean there is another way to start one. The method you described is more common, at least to me, than you might think.