piepatch,
My 201-2 started giving me trouble. It would sew for a seam, then when I went to sew again it wouldn't run. If I nudged the hand wheel it would take right off.
I removed the brush screws, brushes and springs and cleaned them, their tubes and the commutator with q-tips and denatured alcohol.
The black crud that came off every thing was carbon build up and a bit of oil residue. Once cleaned it starts and stops just fine and runs great.
Check the wires but before you take it apart clean the brushes and their parts.
Joe