Attempted to start unit, second pull, the pull rope seized up and would not release or retract. Approximately a foot of rope hanging loose.

There are 2 dogs or fingers that expand out to grab the flywheel when the rope is pulled They are sticking and can not expand or slide out. Remove the recoil unit and free them up When the recoil unit is off pull the rope and watch the action

When you assemble the Recoil Starter, push it down onto the blower easily and then pull the cord slowly. It should drop into position as you slowly pull the cord.

OK first remove recoil unit off motor, Whats the pull start.
Next pull the rope all the way out.Watch the direction the rope pulling is turning. When the rope is pulled as far it can be put something in to hold pulley where it is. Cut off rope knot and remove rope.Then hold pulley remove what is holding it from moving then continue turning rope pulley in same direction until it stops.Then turn opposite way to line up hole in pulley and hole in metal shield and block. Then slide rope through holes and tie knot tight. Release pulley slowly and rope is going to retract just like new...

I'm not sure if this is an attempted repair or whether this just "happened" but here is my repair procedure. Jammed could be worn or dirty rope or rope improperly sized for the machine...or crushed housing. A broken or slipped spring can seem jammed. Sometimes a spring can be re-bent on the inner most winding tab to catch on the housing.

Most recoil assemblies are easy to fix...but not in an obvious way. Remove the recoil asembly from the small engine housing/flywheel cover. Usually three bolts hold it on. 10mm on Honda's. Pull the remaining rope thru the exit hole if possible. Otherwise, fish remaining rope thru the hole by turning rope winding pulley as if pulling handle was still attached, lining up any remaining rope end and pushing thru the exit hole in outer recoil housing or backing it out the inside pulley. Continue to wind rope winding pulley in a counterclockwise ( facing pulley...not outer metal) untill it will not tighten any further. Remove any more old rope. Line up pulley hole and exit hole. Melt end of new rope into a tapered shape..if not supplied that way. the pulley can be held in place by inserting a screwdriver thru the both the pulley and the metal housing spokes. Thread the new rope thru the exit and pulley hole. Tie the rope end sticking thru and draw tight. Cut 6 feet of rope...if not using a presized pull. Release screwdriver from spokes and rope should draw up onto the pulley. Tie off opposite end of the rope to keep from losing that end into the exit hole. put the handle on the rope and tie a knot in the end to retain the handle. Untie the tie-off and allow the handle to fully retract. If handle does not fully retract you may shorten the rope so that it does...as long as you have plenty of pull lenght

You take the top of the motor off with the starter, then rewind the spring,then is a good idea to replace the rope with a new one they sell rope at a lawnmower store, get 5 feet or more if the rope is up on the handle, take a piece of rope with you to get the correct size.

I am assuming you tried to pull start and the rope is stuck out. Just try pulling the rope while it is out, but stand on the hedge trimmer. Sometimes when this happens to me, I just pull the rope a little extra and then hang onto it when it goes back in. Alot of times, I think the rope gets caught on the outside of the retraction pulley causing a tangle.

It sounds like the pump is seized. Make sure any pressure has been released by pulling the trigger on the gun. Sometimes this will allow you pull the cord. If the pump is seized, a new pump would be in order.

There are two or three screws that hold the retract assembly on to the engine cover. Take these off, and pull the retract off. First, try to turn the pulley on the inside in the direction that the rope would turn it if you you were pulling it out. Will it rewind? If not, there is a screw on the top of this assembly, that's covered up with a sticker. you'll need to remove this screw, and pull the pulley out. There will be a spring on the inside of this. check the spring to see if it's broken. If not, and it's just come loose, put it back into the slot that holds it, and wind it up enough to get it back together. turn the spring in the direction that the rope would pull it out, until it won't go any more. Hold it, and reinsert the rope, tie a couple of good knots in the end, trim the excess, and let it retract the rope into the assembly. Put the assembly back on your engine, and you're good to go.

inside the rope pull housing is a flat spring,it may have come loose from its anchor, its an easy fix...unscrew the 3 screws on housing, lift off housing, and the rope pull is inside the casing, you will then see if its broken, or just come off anchor, 10 minute job if its just loose......

Hi,
If I'm understanding you correctly, the pull chord is out and will not retract so you can pull again?
If this is so, I'm thinking that there may be some obstruction keeping your spring from returning the rope. The spring is wound like a clock spring. When you pull the rope, the spring wants to bring it back. Sometimes a twig or dirt or other type of abnormality might prevent the spring from retracting your pull rope.
You might need to loosen the engine cover to remove the obstruction.
Good luck!