If it had never done anything (started/cranked/ran), I would think that the auger switch
not being centered was the culprit. You said it ran, though, then [it] quit.
You may have answered your own question when you mentioned signs of mice.
A wire may have been 'together' ~just enough~ to start, then vibration (when running) may have may it fray all the way..?? (
It's not a crime to rhime..
hehe)
Gosh, who knows??
When you get ready to start it again, get up in the engine compartment and pump the [diesel] hand/primer pump good. Lots of 9600s are hard to start after sitting a while; but most of them will start great if a person will prime the system good via the primer pump...keep on pumping it until you hear fuel returning back to the tank per the return line. Then, get in there and make sure all of your switches are in the '
neutral' position. Have the auger switch in the '
middle' position, and the throttle in the '
turtle' position. That
~should~ do it, amigo...If not, I'll bet
Mickey Rat is to blame.....Chasing down gremlins or chewed-up wires would
not be fun, as there are ~miles~ of wire(s) (seems like, anyway) running through that machine~ Let us know if you get 'er goin'.
Regards,
TxFarmer
~If you don't need the rain, pray it down this way to me!~