Would cracked brush cause starting problems on cordless saw?

[Brian Elfert]

My Makita cordless saw refused to start yesterday with two different batteries. I tired spinning the blade while holding the switch to no avail. I pulled the brushes out and noticed that one of them is cracked. I put the brushes back in and the saw worked normally again.

Would the cracked brush be responsible for the saw not working, or is the problem elsewhere? IT seems strange it started working after pulling the brushes out and putting them back in. The brushes seemed to have plenty of length left.

[ray hampton]

the brush MUST make contract with the commutator in order for the current to flow
and a crack could cause no run