Trimmer: Starter Rope Won't Retract

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 winds around the inside of the pulley. If the pulley is broken or cracked in any way it can get caught on something, causing it to not retract. Remove any covers on the trimmer to gain access to the starter. Remove the starter cover, inspect the pulley for any signs of wear and damage, and replace if needed. To replace, pull the starter rope all the way out and insert a small screwdriver to secure the pulley to the starter housing. Next remove the rope, then remove the screwdriver to release tension on the recoil spring by rotating the spring. Loosen the center bolt to remove the cap and remove the old pulley, then install the new pulley by aligning it with the housing post. Next, rotate the pulley approximately 5-6 times to tighten the recoil spring, then re-insert the screwdriver and attach the rope. Allow the rope to wind up slowly, then re-install back onto the engine.

The springs pull back the starter pawls. When you pull the starter rope, centrifugal force sends the pawls outwards, locking them onto the flywheel to start the engine. When you stop pulling on the rope, the springs pull the ratchet pawls back in. If one of these springs breaks or becomes worn and weakens over time, it may leave one of the pawls stuck in place, causing the rope not to retract. To replace these springs, remove any engine covers on the trimmer to gain access to the starter. Remove the bolts that fasten the starter down and the starter itself. Pull the starter rope and watch for the pawls coming out, and then retract when you let go of the rope. If the pawls do not retract then the springs need to be replaced. Remove the center bolt and cap, remove ratchet pulls, use pliers to pull out the old springs, then install the new springs and re-install the pawls. Reinstall the center bolt and cap and the starter back onto the engine. Re-install any covers that you removed to gain access to the starter.

The purpose of the starter is to turn the engine over until it runs on its own. Pulling the rope engages the starter on the engine. The recoil spring then retracts the rope. Replacing the starter is the quickest and easiest way to get your trimmer to run 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 then remove the starter itself. Install the new starter and any covers you took off to reach the starter.

The recoil spring retracts the rope back into the starter after you pull the rope to start the engine. If the rope does not recoil, the recoil spring needs to be replaced. Remove the engine cover to expose the starter, and then remove the starter from the trimmer. Remove the center bolt and cap and the pulley from the starter housing. Inspect the recoil spring. If the spring is broken it will need to be replaced; if it is not then the spring can be recoiled. The spring only goes in one way on the locking tabs, so this is easy. Make sure the spring ends are bent properly to lock into the slots on the pulley and then on the starter housing. Remove the starter rope. Attach one end of the spring into the slot on the pulley and wind it up on the inside, not allowing it to pop out. Re-attach the pulley to the starter housing and slowly rotate the pulley to get the spring to grab and lock into place on the starter housing. This may take some practice. Next, re-install the center screw and cap to secure the pulley to the starter housing. You have to re-tension the spring by rotating the pulley in the proper direction so when you let it go it will retract the rope. Once you have determined the correct direction start winding up the spring about 5 to 6 times to create the tension on the spring. Insert a small screwdriver into the pulley and housing to hold the pulley in place with tension on the spring. Insert the rope through the starter housing and through the pulley. Make a knot to secure the rope to the pulley. Pull the knot back to the pulley then hold the pulley tight and remove the screwdriver holding the pulley in place and let the pulley retract. Re-attach the starter back onto the engine and secure it down. Re-install any covers you removed to gain access to the starter.

The rope feeds through the starter housing and is attached to the inside of the pulley. As the rope ages, it can become frayed and start catching on the inside of the starter, causing damage to the rope, which prevents it from retracting. To install a new rope, remove covers to gain access to the starter then remove the starter from the trimmer. Cut the old rope off under the knot and pull it out. Next, reset the tension on the recoil spring. Rotate the pulley in the proper direction approximately 5 -6 times for the proper tension on the recoil spring and insert a small screwdriver through the pulley into the starter housing to lock it into place. Install the new rope through the holes on the starter housing and pulley. Once installed, remove the screwdriver and slowly let the pulley recoil the new rope. Pull the rope out and let it retract a few times. Re-install back onto the trimmer along with any covers you removed in the beginning.