Pull Cord wont rewind!

[pboyce]

Hi, I have a 1989 Mercury 15hp. When we pulled it out for the first time last weekend, it started beautifully, but now the pull cord wont go back in! I can wind it back in manually by turning the red wheel backwards - but that is highly impractical and it cant be done while the engine is on!
I should note that the first pull or two the cord retracted just fine....it was the last pull that it would then not retract!

Does anyone know what could be wrong? I am thinking maybe I need to retighten the spring. How would I do this if that is the case?
Can I take that whole top portion off the motor and work on it inside?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Pull Cord wont rewind!

The spring either broke or came unhooked.

 

[pboyce]

Re: Pull Cord wont rewind!

Thanks
I eventually took off the top starter assembly and found that somehow the spring had come out of the assembly it is coiled up in. I loosened the spring off and then was able to put the spring back in, and then retightened the spring and was able to get it to work again.
Having never taken off this recoil mechanism, I was a little suprised to see that the wheel that the cord is on is a bit "loose" in the assembly. There are the 3 clips that hold the wheel down, but those only hold it loosely in place. Is this right? The wheel had about 1/8 inch of play up or down. Is this normal?
Also - when I go to put this assembly back on the motor, do I need to grease the shaft coming out of the red flywheel?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Pull Cord wont rewind!

The reason the pulley seems loose is it's supported by the shaft on the engine and the tabs are only there so it don't fall out of the houusing, it don't hurt to put a small amount of light grease on the shaft when reassembling.