funny you say that...mine just went out today (or so i think it is the starter...i'm having the exact same problems you are) and know what? it's raining out. has been all day, but decided to call it quits midway through it. i've done some research, but the clean contacts is something new i havent seen before. gonna try tapping it tomorrow and jumping it and see if it starts, so i cant say if mine will stay running yet or die like yours does. but...i have a feeling i'm gonna have to get a new one at a junk yard. so we'll see