Usually you have to pretension the spring by turning it before attaching the cord. You then attach the cord and slowly feed the cord as the spring unwinds. When completed and you pull the cord it tensions the spring and retracts the cord when starting. This is why I went to electric weed wackers. Ralph

Looks like you found a weekend project! I would suggest you start by clearing off a large table an putting the weed waker on the table and to the best of your ability taking it apart. Take a screwdriver and remove all exterior screws holding on the plastic case, but be careful! Losing a screw can spell terrible news for the weed-whacker. Then hopefuly the solution will be as simple as unwinding the cord form the shaft. If not post more pictures and we can take another look.

Bump

It sounds like the spring may have failed which led to a lack of tension on the recoil, causing the cord to loosen and come out of the groove and tangle. If you have it apart already, and you can not just reattach the spring, check with your local power equipment dealer and get a new recoil, with the spool, cord, spring and all.

If you wrapped the cord around the shaft and ran it, you may have frayed the rope and that could lead to failure of the recoil cord.

If you can just install the spring, try that, and careful on the pull starts so you don't snap the string.

Good luck

Frank

I had to do this for a chain saw recently. As long as the spring is still good, it's not that hard. The advice above is all good. From now on, after you pull to start, let the cord back in slowly. I had to train myself to do that, but it's kept me from having to re-repair.

MTD trimmers are made by Ryobi, and most repair shops won't work on them or stock repair parts due to the high cost of repair versus the low cost of replacement, so make sure you have some source of supply before attempting to repair!

To reach the starter assembly, you would need to remove the trimmer shaft, romove the throttle wire from the carburator,remove the screws holding the plastic housing to the engine, then there is one T-20 Torx screw holding the clutch drum onto the clutch. then you need a special tool or an impact wrench to remove the clutch. Carefull! It has left hand threads! Then remove the screw holding the starter pulley on & slowly remove the pulley as there is a rewind spring under it. You should ALWAYS replace the spring. You won't want to do this twice!

The new spring comes pre-coiled. Note carefully how the old spring was wound and using needlenose pliers, install the new spring.

Then, using a NEW ROPE, wind it around the pulley in the direction of pull and allow three extra inches to allow for the handle and knot. Insert the pulley onto the spring, making sure the center of the spring fits into the notch of the pulley. Then, wind the rope once in the direction of pull and thread it through the rope grommet in the housing. Now install the handle and reassemble.

Shameless bump!

I've decided to take the motor to the weed whacker and turn it into an engine for a homebuilt moped. The engine still runs beautifully, just a bit hard to get started.