How To Fix A Weed Eater That Won’t Start (Stopped Working!)

Why is my weed eater not starting?

Your weed eater isn’t starting because of a bad spark plug, or your air filter has become blocked. A dirty carburetor or a fuel problem is another reason your weed eater isn’t starting.

 

 

Bad spark plug

The plug may be dirty or bad. If you’ve tried to start the engine but it won’t start, the spark plug could be the problem. If the spark plug in your weed eater is dirty, the ignition system won’t be able to send enough electricity to the engine to light the fuel in the combustion chamber.

Using a wire brush to remove rust or dirt from the spark plug could result in a connection that gets the trimmer running again. Also, if the spark is bad, you need to replace it.

 

Blocked air filter

Another very important part of your weed eater engine is the air filter. It lets fresh air (oxygen) into the chamber where the fuel is burned. This step is essential for starting the ignition procedure. Also, air filters keep harmful material out of the engine while allowing a clean supply of oxygen to get into the engine.

When the air filter is full of debris, it blocks airflow to the engine, preventing it from functioning correctly. After extensive use or if the weed eater has been in storage for a long time, the air filter can become clogged or unclean.

When your string trimmer starts up but shuts off abruptly after a couple of minutes, it’s a sign of a blocked air filter. Bringing out the air filter and cleaning it is the best fix.

 

Dirty carburetor

The heart of the engine is the carburetor. It regulates the amount of air and fuel going into the engine. When gas breaks down, varnish, gums, and other particles can build up inside the carburetor and block the tiny fuel passages. A broken, clogged, or malfunctioning carburetor will prevent your weed eater from starting.

Because of this, fuel can’t get to the trimmer’s combustion chamber and spark, leaving you with a trimmer that won’t start. Cleaning or replacing the carburetor is vital to troubleshoot this issue.

 

Fuel-related issue

You will spend most of your time troubleshooting fuel-related issues with your weed eater. There are various reasons for fuel issues, such as low fuel, old fuel, or the separation of oil and gas, leaving the engine short on fuel. First, ensure adequate fuel in the trimmer’s tank to start your eater.

If there isn’t enough gas in the trimmer, it won’t start. You should fill up your tank, and after filling the tank, you can try to turn on the weed eater. However, if the fuel is from last year, it should be changed with a new one.

 

How to fix a weed eater that stopped working?

You can fix a weed eater that stopped working by replacing the spark plug. Troubleshooting fuel issues or cleaning the carburetor is another way to fix a weed eater that stopped working.

Replace the spark plug

Your weed eater will stop working once there is an issue with the spark plug. The spark plug might be dirty or bad. If the spark plug is dirty, you just need to clean it with a spray cleaner. Use a knife to scrape the spark plug to eliminate any extra dirt. For the best maintenance, you should clean the spark plug every season and after long use (around 25 hours).

However, if the spark plug is bad, you must replace it. Here is how to replace it;

1. Remove the spark plug boot from the spark plug.
2. To loosen the spark plug, use a spark plug wrench or socket.
3. Take the plug out of the cylinder.
4. Use a tool to set the gap between the spark plugs to.025 inches.
5. Thread the new spark plug into the cylinder.
6. Use a spark plug wrench or socket to hold the spark plug in place.
7. Put the spark plug boot back on.
8. You can test your engine now!

 

Troubleshoot fuel issues

There are various ways fuel can be the reason your weed eater won’t start. This includes bad fuel, low fuel, or incorrect fuel mixture. Troubleshooting these issues is the best fix. Here is how to troubleshoot it;

1. First, look at how much fuel is in the tank. The weed eater won’t work if the gas tank is empty or low.
2. If there is enough fuel and it is fresh, give the weed eater a light shake and swirl to make sure that the oil and gasoline don’t separate.
3. If you are using the weed eater for the first time after a few months, you should switch the old fuel for a new mixture.
4. Many string trimmers need a ratio of 40:1 or 50:1 between gas and oil. (Check your owner’s manual to determine your model needs.)
5. It is very important to use gasoline with no more than 10% alcohol or ethanol-free gasoline and oil made for 2-cycle engines.
6. This keeps the piston and crankshaft from getting too dry.

 

Clean the carburetor

If your carburetor is clogged, your weed eater will stop working because it regulates the air and fuel going into the engine. Cleaning the carburetor is the best fix. Here is how to clean it;

1. Depending on the type of weed eater you have, take the filter cover and filter out first.
2. Then, remove the screws that hold the primer bubble and move on.
3. After you open your carburetor, you can clean it well and get the filter unclogged.

 

How to fix a STIHL weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a STIHL weed eater that won’t start by cleaning the air filter or starting the procedure rightly.

Clean the air filter

Your Stihl weed eater may not be starting because the air filter is clogged. A blocked air filter reduces airflow, which in turn prevents ignition. This can also lead to incomplete combustion.

If the air filter is dirty, it needs to be cleaned. Here is how to clean it;

1. The air filter is behind a plastic cover on the side of the engine housing.
2. To clean the filter, pull off the cover
3. Use a screwdriver to pry it out.
4. Use a wire brush to clean it up.
5. You can also change the spark arrestor.

 

Starting the procedure rightly.

Starting the procedure rightly is another way you use can fix a STIHL weed eater that won’t start. Before you can turn on your Stihl trimmer, you need to make sure the on/off switch is turned on. This is a simple step that many people forget. Here is how to start the procedure properly;

1. First, make sure the on/off switch is turned on.
2. After pushing the priming button twice or three times, close the choke and pull the starting cord.
3. After two or three pulls, the engine should shake.
4. Open the choke and pull again; the engine should start now.
5. Make sure to push down on the throttle before the engine dies to rev it up.
6. If the engine won’t start and you can smell gas, the carburetor is likely flooded.
7. Wait for 10 minutes before trying again.

 

How to fix a Ryobi weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a Ryboi weed eater that won’t start by replacing the spark or cleaning a flooded engine.

Replace the spark

Check the spark plug first if your Ryboi first won’t start. A dirty or bad spark plug will stop your Ryboi weed eater from starting. Here is how to troubleshoot it;

1. Remove the spark plug cover
2. Remove the spark plug
3. Clean it
4. Put the spark plug cap back on
5. Then put the plug into the metal cylinder.
6. Pull on the starter rope and watch the plug tip for a spark.
7. If there isn’t any, the spark plug in your Ryobi needs to be replaced.
8. Put a new plug and check the spark again.

 

Clean the flooded engine

If your Ryboi weed eater has a good spark but won’t start, check to see that the engine is getting fuel. To load the priming bulb with fuel, you must press it. If it won’t fill, something is blocking the main line carrying fuel to the engine.

Your engine may be flooded if the bulb fills, but the Ryboi weed eater won’t start.

 

Here is how to fix it;

1. Clearing a flooded engine isn’t hard, but it can get messy.
2. Remove the spark plug and dried
3. Purge out any extra fuel from the motor
4. Most of the time, you press the throttle trigger and pull the start cord.
5. For specific instructions on how to clear a flooded engine, look in the owner’s manual for your Ryobi model.

 

How to fix a Husqvarna weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a Husqvarna weed eater that won’t start by troubleshooting the spark plug. Similarly, a Husqvarna weed eater runs on the same principles as other internal combustion engines. The process is self-sustaining after the fuel is ignited.

For some reason, if your Husqvarna won’t start, the problem lies with the flow of the spark to the engine.

 

Here is how to troubleshoot this problem;

1. Move the Husqvarna’s ignition switch to the “Off” position.
2. Place the weed eater on a flat surface.
3. Pull the rubber cap off the spark plug’s end.
4. Turn the plug off and pull it out of the cylinder.
5. Put the test plug into the rubber boot.
6. Clip the test plug to a metal point on the engine connected to the ground.
7. Wear a hand glove and, if you have to, hold the test plug in place.
8. Put the switch in the ignition so that it says “On.”
9. Pull on the starter rope and look at the test plug to see if there is a spark.
10. If there is no spark, you need to replace the spark.
11. Remove the spark plug cover
12. Remove the spark plug
13. Put a new plug and check the spark again

 

How to fix a Craftsman weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a Craftsman weed eater that won’t start by replacing the recoil starter or cleaning the carburetor.

Replace recoil starter

Recoil starter assemblies are used to turn over engines by connecting to the Craftsman weed eater. If the assembly for the recoil starter is broken, the engine won’t start. Take apart the starter and test it to see if it’s functioning correctly.

When you pull on the starter rope, tabs on the pulley and cam should grab the engine’s hub and start it turning. When you let go of the rope, the tabs should go back, and the rope should wind back around the pulley. If the starter assembly for the recoil doesn’t work right, you should replace it.

 

Here is how to replace it;

1. Put the Craftsman weed eater on a level surface like a workbench.
2. For safety, take the spark plug out of the spark plug wire.
3. Locate the pull start on the back of the engine of the trimmer.
4. Using a Phillips screwdriver, take off the starter cover’s three screws.
5. Remove the starting housing cover from the starter.
6. In the middle of the housing, you will see the curved spring clip, washer, and pawl.
7. Carefully detach the washer and pawl from the curved spring clip.
8. Grasp any discarded rope and remove it from the rotor’s housing.
9. Pull the old rope through the handle of the starter and throw it away the right way.
10. Cut a new length of rope using the previous one as a template.
11. One end of the new rope should have a single overhand knot tied in it.
12. Put the other end of the rope through the top of the starter handle and through the rope busing in the starter housing.
13. Take the rotor off the starter post by pulling it up.
14. Put the end of the rope through the rotor and tie another single overhand knot at the end of the rope.
15. Move the rotor back onto the post where the starter is.
16. To activate the rewind spring, gently rock the rotor from side to side.
17. Replace the pawl, washer, and spring clip, making sure the clip is facing the opposite direction of the clock.
18. To make the rewind spring tighter, turn the rotor six full turns counterclockwise.
19. Put the rotor down gently.
20. Help the new rope unwind and coil itself onto the rotor.
21. Using the three Phillips-head screws, reinstall the starter cover onto the housing.

 

Clean the carburetor

A clogged carburetor is a possible cause of your Craftsman weed eater not starting. The string trimmer’s carburetor usually gets clogged when the fuel is left in there for too long. It’s possible that as time passes, some of the fuel’s components will evaporate, leaving behind a more viscous, sticky residue.

Sticky fuel like this can gum up the carburetor, making the engine inoperable. Cleaning the carburetor is essential if the carburetor becomes clogged.

 

Here is how to clean it;

1. Remove the shield from your string trimmer.
2. Remove the screws and the top half of the plastic to get to the parts of the string trimmer.
3. Take out the filter. Most of the time, this air filter, not the carburetor, is the problem when the motor won’t start.
4. Use soap and water to clean the air filter.
5. Remove all colors from the filter until it is as white as possible.
6. Wait until the filter is completely dry to put it back in.
7. Disconnect the two main connections that go into the carburetor.
8. The first link is a hose that goes into the crankcase of the engine.
9. The carburetor diaphragm is the second connection.
10. Use a wrench to loosen the nuts over a piece of a newspaper because the carburetor is likely to leak.
11. Drain the carburetor from the filter site that you have removed.
12. To clean out the holes, use a pipe cleaner and carburetor solution.
13. Split open the carburetor case.
14. Unscrew the bolts that hold the two halves of the carburetor together to get to the float bowl, which is probably the dirtiest part of the mechanism.
15. Use steel wool and a putty knife to clean the float bowl.
16. Remove the sludge that has built up. Do not use water or soap.
17. Put the carburetor back in your string trimmer.
18. Replace all of the gas before turning on the trimmer.

 

How to fix a Homelite weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a Homelite weed eater that won’t start by replacing the pulley rope or cleaning the fuel filter.

Replace the pulley rope

If the rope in your rewind spring is stuck or cut, it might cause your Homelite weed eater not to start. When you pull and release the starter rope, the rewind spring pulls the starter rope back onto the rewind pulley. If the rope is stuck or broken, the rope won’t be able to wind back onto the pulley.

Here is how to fix it;

1. Using a pair of needle-nosed pliers, detach the Z-shaped end of the throttle cable from the carburetor throttle linkage on the weed trimmer.
2. Take a flathead or No. 25 star-head screwdriver and unscrew the starting housing holding screws from the motor assembly.
3. In order to get to the starter rope pulley and starter components, you’ll need to disassemble the weed trimmer’s starter housing from the engine.
4. Remove the pulley from the starting housing and place it on the engine crankshaft.
5. Pull the starter rope out a small distance and hold it with one hand to prevent it from rewinding into the starter housing assembly.
6. Use scissors to snip the starter rope close to where it connects to the handle.
7. Gradually letting off the rope will allow it to rewind, relieving pressure on the spring that powers the rewind mechanism.
8. Using a pair of needle-nosed pliers, remove the screws holding the rope pulley retaining bracket to the inside of the starter housing assembly.
9. Disconnect the inner starter housing assembly shaft and the pulley rewind spring hook end from the starter pull rope pulley.
10. Gather the knotted end of the old pull rope from the pulley’s recess using needle-nosed pliers, then unwind the rope from the starter pull rope.
11. Insert the beginning of the new starter into the threaded end.
12. Thread the rope through the pulley’s groove hole and the recess. A knot must be tied at the end to prevent the rope from pulling through.
13. Tighten your grip on the rope until it disappears into the pulley’s groove.
14. Remove the slack with scissors from the side of the knot that faces away from the pulley.
15. Thread the new pull rope’s untied end through the eyelet on the starter housing assembly.
16. Get the loose end of the rope through the bottom hole in the rope handle and out the top hole.
17. Feed the rope end through both loops of the figure-8 knot as you tighten it.
18. Coat the shaft of the starter housing assembly with some multi-purpose lubricant.
19. Take off the entire pull rope from the starting housing. The pulley rewind spring hook end must be seated entirely onto the shaft of the starter housing assembly.
20. Insert the pulley retaining bracket into the starting housing assembly and tighten the screws holding it in place using a torque screwdriver and a No. 25 star-head or flathead screwdriver bit to a requisite 25 to 35 inch-pounds.
21. After reversing the starting assembly housing, loop the rope and place the resulting loop into the pulley’s notch; this process should take about 10 inches of the rope’s length.
22. To keep the pulley’s rewind spring from unwinding, turn the wheel counterclockwise two or three times.
23. The starter housing should be installed on the weed trimmer motor so that it is flush with the crankcase.
24. Using a torque screwdriver and a No. 25 star-head or flathead screwdriver bit, tighten the screws holding the starter housing assembly to 30 to 50-inch pounds.
25. Needle-nosed pliers are needed to attach the Z-shaped end of the throttle wire to the engine carburetor’s throttle linkage.
26. To ensure that the weed trimmer’s starter pull rope is functioning correctly, you should start and stop the engine many times.

 

Clean the fuel filter

A clogged fuel filter will stop the Homelite weed eater from starting. The fuel filter on a string trimmer will clog if the fuel is left in the machine for an extended period. You should clean the fuel filter to avoid this issue.

Here is how to clean it;

1. To clean the filter, pull off the cover
2. Use a screwdriver to pry it out.
3. Use a wire brush to clean it up.

 

How to fix a Troy Bilt weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a Troy Bilt weed eater that won’t start by cleaning the air filter or adjusting the carburetor.

Clean the air filter

Many problems with your Troy-Bilt weed trimmer can be traced back to a dirty air filter. Cleaning the air filter is the best fix for this. Here is how to clean it;

1. Set the choke lever to “Position 2.”
2. Use a flat blade or T20 Torx screwdriver to remove the four screws holding the air filter cover.
3. Take the cover off of the air filter on the engine.
4. Use soap and water to clean it.
5. Lightly Oil it and replace it.

 

Adjust the carburetor

Adjusting the carburetor to the right position will help ensure that the Troy Bilt weed eater starts working effectively. Here is how to adjust it;

1. Start the engine.
2. Let the throttle on the trimmer go.
3. If the engine stops, you can adjust the idle speed screw in the air filter cover with a #1 Phillips screwdriver.
4. Turning the screw 1/8 of a turn clockwise to make the engine run better. This should make the idling speed go faster.
5. When the engine slows down, turn the screw in the opposite direction.
6. Start the engine, and then take your foot off the gas.
7. If the engine stops again, give the screw another 1/8 of a turn.
8. Keep doing this until the engine keeps running and doesn’t stop.

Note: Check the manual for your model to ensure you do this correctly since incorrectly adjusting the high-speed screw can damage the engine.

 

How to fix a Featherlite weed eater that won’t start?

You can fix a Featherlite weed eater that won’t start by troubleshooting the fuel issues. If the engine won’t turn on after trying to start it, the carburetor likely isn’t getting enough fuel. There’s a chance that the unclean fuel filter in the gas tank is the cause of the problem or the fuel level is low.

Here is how to troubleshoot it;

1. Turn the gas tank cap to the left until it comes off the weedeater. This will open the gas tank. Fill the tank all the way up to the line. If there isn’t enough gas in the tank, the engine might not start. See Step 2 if the engine still won’t start.
2. Take the fuel filter off the weedeater and run it under water to clean it. After six hours of drying in the sun, put the filter back in the weedeater. You don’t need a tool to remove the filter or put it back in. See Step 3 if the engine still won’t start.
3. Use a siphon to drain the gas and oil from the weedeater.
4. Change the oil and gas and mix them in the right amounts. The best mixture for this weedeater is 1 gallon of unleaded gasoline and 3.2 ounces of synthetic two-stroke engine oil rated at 40:1.