I have a Homelite Ranger 16'', the chain brake will not let the chain spin. Is that a clutch issue, or is there a adjustment on the handle of the chain brake

If it has a chain brake it might have gone off(released)when taken off or put down. It would be a circular spring or other device which stops the chain when released. Pull back on the handle while holding the cover and it will hold back allowing you to put it back on.

You might have the chain adjusted too tight or try adjusting the high speed jet.

There is not a clutch on an electric chain saw, it is direct drive when the electric motor ia activated. If the chain is binding it will stop the chain.

If you need further help, I’m available over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/matt_8dbc24bf722649ac

Got to homelite.com and input your model number.
WARNING:
When servicing, use only identical Homelite
replacement parts. Use of any other parts may
create a hazard or cause product damage.
WARNING:
Always wear safety goggles or safety glasses
with side shields during power tool operation or
when blowing dust. If operation is dusty, also
wear a dust mask.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Avoid using solvents when cleaning plastic parts.
Most plastics are susceptible to damage from
various types of commercial solvents and may be
damaged by their use. Use clean cloths to remove
dirt, dust, lubricant, grease, etc.
WARNING:
Do not at any time let brake fluids, gasoline,
petroleum-based products, penetrating
oils, etc., come in contact with
plastic parts. Chemicals can damage, weaken or
destroy plastic which may result in serious
personal injury.
LUBRICATION
All of the bearings in this product are lubricated with
a sufficient amount of high grade lubricant for the
life of the unit under normal operating conditions.
Therefore, no further lubrication is required.
REPLACING THE guide BAR AND
CHAIN
See Figures 34 - 43.
DANGER:
Never start the engine before installing the
guide bar, chain, clutch cover, and clutch drum.
Without all these parts in place, the clutch can
fly off or explode, exposing the user to possible
serious injury.
maintenance
Fig. 34
Fig. 35
Fig. 36
WARNING:
To avoid serious personal injury, read and
understand all the safety instructions in this
section.
n Always place the switch in the stop “ ” position
before you work on the saw.
clutch
cover
Run
Position
sprocket
Page 26 — English
cutters
bar
groove
chain drive links
Fig. 38
maintenance
chain rotation
chain drive links
Fig. 37
n Make sure the chain brake is not set by pulling
the chain brake lever/hand guard towards the
front handle to the run position.
NOTE: When replacing the guide bar and chain,
always use the specified bar and chain listed in
the Bar and Chain Combinations section later
in this manual.
n Wear gloves when handling the chain and bar.
These components are sharp and may contain
burrs.
n Press in on the clutch cover lock knob and rotate
counterclockwise until the clutch cover can be
removed.
n Remove the bar and chain from the mounting
surface.
n Remove the old chain from the bar.
n Lay out the new saw chain in a loop and
straighten any kinks. The cutters should face
in the direction of chain rotation. If they face
backwards, turn the loop over.
n Place the chain drive links into the bar groove
as shown.
n Position the chain so there is a loop at the back
of the bar.
n Hold the chain in position on the bar and place
the loop around the sprocket.
n Fit the bar flush against the mounting surface
so that the bar studs are in the long slot of the
bar.
n Replace the clutch cover ensuring that the
adjusting pin in the clutch cover is in the bar
chain tensioning pin hole and that both bar
studs are securely in their respective holes in
the clutch cover.
NOTE: The adjusting pin may need to be slightly
repositioned with the chain tensioning dial so
that it is aligned with the position of the bar chain
tensioning pin hole.
n Replace the clutch cover and rotate clutch
cover lock knob just enough to hold the cover
in position.
NOTE: The bar must be free to move for chain
tension adjustment.
n Lift the tip of the guide bar up to check for sag.
n Remove all slack from the chain by rotating the
chain tensioning dial clockwise until the chain
seats snugly against the bar with the drive links
in the bar groove.
n Release the tip of the guide bar and, if the chain
sags, turn the chain tensioning dial clockwise.
Repeat this process until sag does not exist.
n Hold the tip of the guide bar up and tighten the
clutch cover lock knob securely.

Take the side cover off of the clutch area and watch while you try to move the brake. Something may be broken or out of place. If the brake band which is fitted around the clutch drum is damaged, it may be causing non-release.

Hello Brian; Why do you want to? You may never get it back together. The IPL is probably as good an illustration as you will find. Enlarge it enough to make the detail visible. There is a chain brake kit available that might include some instructions but no promises (brake dragging? try changing the clutch bearing). This is as detailed as it gets. Contact Homelite and they will likely tell you to take to a service center.
Homelite/Ryobi.com (authorized parts supplier)
https://www.gardnerinc.com/recons/disclaimer-lg.php - Agree; Choose “Product Line”; “Select OEM” & “Select Catalog” both to “Homelite Consumer Products”. A drop down list appears; self explanatory from here. cursor down to "Ranger 33cc 16" Chain Saw UT-10926". "Clutch - Hand Guard - Drive Case Cover" detail.

If you have more questions or need additional help please reply below and I will get back to you. Thank you for using FixYa and Good Luck. HTH
Lou

My 16" Ranger had the same problem. Here's how to fix it. Take off the top cover and the red side cover to acess the carburator. Take the top off the carb; there is a single screw that holds it on. Inside you will see a 10mm round indention. This is a final screen fuel filter. Mine had a layer of light brown dirt over the screen. Take a small screwdriver and carefully scrape the dirt off. You don't need to clean the carb any further or adjust the H and L settings or anything. Put it back together and it should run with no bogging. down.

See Chain Installation & Adjustment here: http://www.fixya.com/support/r4146814-chainsaw_chain_installation
No chain brake on your saw, ignore 1.

The adjustment screw is parallel to the bar. Look from the nose of the bar toward the engine the adjuster is the screw head just to the right of the bar (order follows):
1. - Engine,
2. - bar,
3. - guide bar plate (flared portion away from the engine),
4. - finally the clutch cover.

There is an illustration of most parts here:
Homelite/Ryobi.com (authorized parts supplier)
https://www.gardnerinc.com/recons/disclaimer-lg.php - Agree; Choose “Product Line”; “Select OEM” & “Select Catalog” both to “Homelite Consumer Products”. A drop down list appears; self explanatory from here:
Find "XL Chain Saw UT-10655", see "Housing & Handles" print.

If you have more questions or need additional help please reply below and I will get back to you. Thank you for using FixYa and Good Luck. HTH
Lou

The chain brake is engaged when the brake handle is moved forward.....to ensure it is actually the chain brake...with the clutch cover off and in your hand, pull the chain brake back...if it will not move, attempt to move it forward to see if it was not engaged...if it moves forward, it is now engaged...pull back to disengage it...a lot of times the problem is not the brake, but rather the bar adjuster....if the brake is not the problem,...loosen the bar adjuster and reassemble the unit...once assembled, then adjust the bar as per the user manual.

let me know what you find.

clarkco

Sounds like th clutch brake is engaged. Try Pushing firmly foward on the hand guard in front of the handle. It should click to release the clutch brake.
Let me know if this helps.