It sounds as if you haven't shorted the right wire to metal yet, Steve. How about some pictures please? I think the Atom edgers, except for the first model, have Honda engines, but let's see what you've got. If memory serves, the first model had a bog standard Ryobi half-crank engine with a special mounting flange. If you've got a Ryobi, good luck. The quality of the electrics are somewhere south of Joseph Lucas' usual efforts.