The "What Is This?" game

[Janx101]

'Exploded' view, I opened it up to see why wasn't working!

[Iarn]

Stator, clutch, something that goes on a motorcycle.

[Elmojo]

I was gonna say starter solenoid?

[Bluesmudge]

Some kind of timer?

[Iarn]

Weed - eater string receptical

[Elmojo]

Hahaha not unless weed eaters have started using copper contacts and dielectric grease! 

[Iarn]

Yeah, it's a long shot, but you never know these days.

[ragecage23]

Some sort of battery terminal?

[Janx101]

Ummm nope, to all. .. but mojo is closer so far, size/diameter reference..  about a golf ball... 

Not bike bits... car bits!

[Elmojo]

Timing advancer for a really old car?

[Janx101]

I was gonna say starter solenoid?

This was tracking roughly right direction

.....

Hey my car is not really old!! And it don't have a timing advancer ... I think?? ..... It's turbo diesel!

... In related news I can now park anywhere I want!.... And will only miss the work train if I oversleep!

[Janx101]

C'mon lads... I'm suffering smuglessness from not saying nope here! Lol

[Elmojo]

I have no more guesses without some.....help....
maybe time for a hint?

[Slack]

Is that the horn button, and contact on the column?

Or a "stomp" high beam switch?

[Elmojo]

Based on the wear pattern on the copper contacts, I'd say it moves rotationally, at least in a limited fashion.
Can we get a rough size reference? I'm thinking it's fairly small, maybe 3" in diameter?

[Janx101]

Repeat ..  .. Size of object is about golf ball size .. Maybe a wee bit bigger?

Rotational movement yes...

Mojos guess of starter solenoid was on the right track

My statements of giving me a lot of trouble lately and NOW I can park anywhere (instead of in specially selected spots) and won't miss the train unless I oversleep are salient to the items normal usage.

..

A fresh hint/s ... Sometimes it was fine, sometimes 3 actions .... Sometimes 30 actions .... Sometimes nothing .... Which is also why I had To choose carefully where I parked!!

My car is a manual/stick ..... In case you Yankee types still only drive auto/slushbox cars!! ... Manual was important to my situation!

[Elmojo]

Reverse gear switch?

[Bluesmudge]

Convertible top or sunroof/moonroof switch?

[Slack]

I have to assume your specially selected spots were on hills so you could bump start it.

[Janx101]

Ooh you know how to reason things out don't you Slack!!  ..... Continue!