Simple search to users vs. admin simple search

My simple search to nonadmin users works differently from the simple search when logged into the admin interface. Keyword searching is not working at all in my simple search for general users. The advanced searching difference I can understand. Suggestions?

Not working at all meaning broken, or meaning returning no results?

Generally they should work the same, but public users won't be able to see any results for nonpublic items.

Hmm. No results sometimes. Very strange. I think it might be a mysql problem. I'm still investigating but in the meantime, I'm using a Google CSE.