Trimmer: Starter Rope Pulls Freely or Little Resistance

The purpose of the pulley is to house the pull rope and the recoil spring. The pull rope winds around the outside of the pulley. The recoil spring is mounted on the inside of the pulley. If the pulley is broken or cracked in any way, it can cause a malfunction. Remove the starter cover (depending on the model), inspect the pulley, and replace if needed. Pull the starter rope all the way out and insert a small screwdriver to secure the recoil spring and pulley. Next, remove the rope, then remove the screwdriver to release any tension on the recoil spring by rotating the spring. Loosen the center bolt to remove the friction plate and remove the old pulley, then install the new pulley by aligning it with the housing post. Next, rotate the pulley to tighten the recoil spring, re-insert the screwdriver and attach the rope. Allow the rope to wind up slowly before re-installing it back onto the engine.

The springs pull back the starter pawls. When the starter turns, centrifugal force propels the pawls outwards, locking them onto the flywheel to start the engine. When you retract the rope, the springs pull the ratchet pawls back in. To replace these springs, remove the engine covers to gain access to the starter. Remove the bolts fastening the starter down and then remove the starter. Pull the starter rope and watch for the pawls to come out and then retract when you let go of the rope. If the pawls do not retract, the springs need to be replaced. Remove the center bolt and cap, and ratchet pawls, then use pliers to pull out the old springs. Install the new springs and re-install the pawls. Re-install the center bolt and cap and the starter back onto the engine. Replace any covers back onto the trimmer that you removed to gain access to the starter.

The job of the starter is to turn the engine over to get it to run on its own. Pulling the rope engages the pawls inside the starter to lock onto the flywheel to turn the engine over. The recoil spring then retracts the rope. Replacing the starter is the quickest way to get your trimmer running again without repairing the starter itself. To replace the starter, first remove any engine covers exposing the starter. Remove the bolts holding down the starter and install the new one. Re-install any covers that you took off to reach the starter.

When the starter turns, centrifugal force sends the pawls outwards, locking onto the flywheel to start the engine. If a pawl becomes worn or broken, it will not be able to engage the flywheel to turn the engine over. To check the pawls and replace if needed, remove the covers to gain access to the engine, then remove the starter. Pull the starter rope and watch for the pawls to come out. They should just fly right out. If not, they may be broken or something is in the way, impacting their operation. Remove the covers to access the starter, as well as the starter itself. Next, remove the center bolt and cap on the starter. Remove the pawls and inspect them for damage or signs of wear. Insert new pawls and re-install the center bolt and cap, then re-install the starter back onto the engine. Replace any covers you took off to reach the starter.