Re: Electric primer System
That red lever is not a switch -- its a valve. For normal operation it needs to face parallel with the solenoid body. For cold starts you squeeze the primer bulb until firm. Raise the fast idle lever about 1/3 up. You can then turn the key to RUN (not START) push in on the key for an eight count. This activates the primer solenoid and fuel will flow into the intake manifold. YOu can then turn the key to START. The alternate cold start method is to squeeze the primer bulb until firm, raise the fast idle lever, turn the key to START while holding the key in to activate the primer. Release the key when the engine fires. On warm starts it is recommended that you raise the fast idle lever a little if the engine does not reliably start and idle without it.
The red lever in the 90 degree setting is the equivalent of a "manual" choke in that if the electrical part of the system fails, you can turn the lever, squeeze the bulb and inject fuel without the solenoid working. When the engine starts however, you need to set the lever parallel again. Failure to do so means the engine will get way too much fuel and flood.