Our Powermatic PM66 will not start... the motor will run if the contacts are manually engaged but the contacts will not pull in using the start switch

I would have to guess the motor has gone to lunch, pull it and test it.

it is not the switch. it is the start run capacitor. it is located under the hump on the motor. becarfull when you uncover it, it may still hold a charge. after you have removed the cover you must replace that shiny things that has all the wires in it. careful to put the wires back that way thy came. and get a capacitor with the same UF Microfarits.

Does wiggling the cord cause the problem?

Your powermatic band saw has a Magnetic motor starter. Since it is hard to find parts for the 143 you can remove the power and take the starter apart and clean the contacts. If that fails you can take it off and take it to a Electrical Supply Store and have them match you up with one that will work.

The way the switch works is when you push the on button it picks a relay that starts the motor and also has a contact the holds the relay picked. when you push the stop button it drops the circuit.

This is a safety feature to prevent the motor from restarting after a power failure until you hit the button

Hope this answers all your questions
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Assuming that this is a three-phase motor, suspect a defective motor starter (look for loose parts or poor contact condition). If the starter is equally new, does it have any warranty? Check the wiring connections for anything loose (motor, starter, source). Good luck!

That is the current setting for a motor-starter which is an overcurrent sensor. This is a circuit breaker like device that usually has a heater coil that opens a contact which cuts the power to the relay that powers the motor to prevent overload damage to the motor.

The dial is in AMPS and should be set just slightly higher than the nameplate amp rating for the motor.

Either it has a problem with a blade brake or the motor is siezing. Or the is a wiring problem. With the unit unplugged check and see if you can turn the blade by hand, if not the motor is the problem. If it does you could still have a motor problem by it drawing to much amperage or the is a wiring problem.

No. Unplug saw remove saw blade grasp shaft that saw blade was on wiggle back and forth. Should not be too much play. After 10 years motor bearings are proably worn. Easy to replace

Your saw motor is equipped with a two speed internal start switch. Over time saw dust will get into the contacts and cause the points to burn. You can pull the end off of the motor and take some 400 grit sandpaper to the contacts to clean them( there are two sets of contacts one works in the out position the other in the in position) it will be the set in the in position that is the problem. Gentle clean them, reassemble the motor end cap and it will work fine. I have to do this about once a year to my saws. I use my saws about 25 hours a week. I have been doing this to one of my Powermatic saws for 31 yrs. now.

The wrong capacitor for one thing. There are starting caps and running caps. The starting cap is in the circuit for only long enough for the motor to get up to speed. If you have a Leeson motor that has a start and run cap then the run cap may not be the correct on. If you have a start cap blowing out I suggest you check the centriifugal switch in the end of the motor. It may have welded the contacts shut. In any case, I would take it to a motor shop .