How To Replace the Briggs and Stratton Lawnmower Pull Cord

Are you struggling with a broken pull cord on your lawnmower? We’ve got the expertise to guide you through the process. With our step-by-step instructions, your Briggs and Stratton lawnmower will be up and running quickly.

How to replace the pull cord on a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower:

Remove the cover, tank, and shroud. Cut the old cord, rewind the spring, and lock the pulley. Thread the new cord through the handle, and the knot ends. Pass one end through the hole. Remove the lock, and let the pulley rewind the cord. Reinstall the shroud, tank, and cover.

No more struggles with a broken pull cord. Our step-by-step guide is here to help you get your lawnmower up and running. We’ve got everything from cutting the old cord to letting the pulley rewind the new one. Dive in to learn more!

Step by step, How to Replace a Briggs and Stratton Lawnmower Pull Cord:

The method below explains all the required steps to fix a lawnmower’s pull cord to get the lawnmower up and running again

● Step 1: Get the needed tools and material

Before we can replace the pull cord, you must ensure you have the required tools and materials. The most important is the replacement cord. Make sure that it fits your model lawnmower.

– Required tools:

You should have the following tools to help you in the process:

• Screwdriver
• Nut driver
• Pliers

– Required Material:

Only a couple of materials are required to complete the job, which is as follows:

• New rope
• Match stick

● Step 2: Unscrew the starter assembly

– Step 2.1. Pull cord location:

The pull cord is tied to the starter disc of the lawnmower. So first, we need to locate the starter disc on the lawnmower.

– Step 2.2. Remove the plastic cover:

A lawnmower usually has a plastic cover that covers its engine. Remove the screws holding this plastic cover and pull this plastic cover out.

– Step 2.3. Detach the gas tank:

After successfully removing the plastic cover, the next step is to pull the gas tank out. Remove the four screws holding the gas tank from the top and the fifth screw located at the bottom of the gas tank. Just loosen the screw at the bottom a little and rotate the gas tank outwards instead of eradicating it.

– Step 2.4. Remove the engine shroud:

The final step is to remove the entire engine shroud. Unscrew the bolts holding the engine shroud and lift it off. Now, you shall see the starter disc attached to the pull cord.

● Step 3: Remove the old pull cord:

– Step 3.1. Cut the knot on the rope:

Turn over the starter assembly, and you will see the old pull cord. With the help of pliers, cut the knot on the rope.

– Step 3.2. Pull out the old pull cord:

Now, pull out the old pull cord, but be careful because it creates tension on the starter pulley, and you don’t want to break the starter spring.

– Step 3.3. Rewind the pulley spring:

Once the old pull cord is removed, rewind the pulley spring in an anticlockwise direction and verify that the starter spring is not broken. If the spring is broken, check out our article “How to fix pull cord spring.”

– Step 3.4. Rotate the pulley in an anticlockwise direction:

After checking the spring, rotate the pulley in an anticlockwise direction and give it about five rounds. This should be done to align the hole on the pulley and the starter housing hole.

– Step 3.5. Lock the pulley:

The final step is to lock the pulley in this position by placing a screwdriver inside the starter housing. This shall also keep you safe from unnecessary injuries as the pulley holds a lot of tension.

● Step 4. Replace the old pull cord with a new one:

Length of pull cord:

Most of the lawnmowers use a size five or a size six pull cord. But it is recommended to measure the length of your old pull cord and buy the new one of the same size and length as recommended by Briggs and Stratton for your particular model number.

– Step 4.1. Attach the rope to the pull handle:

Once you have bought the new pull cord, thread the rope through the pull handle.

• Burn the end of the rope: Burn one of the ends with a match stick’s help and give it a little twist. This prevents the rope from fraying.
• Tie a knot: Now, pass this end of the rope through the pull handle and tie a knot, preventing the rope from coming out.

– Step 4.2. Attach the new pull cord to the starter housing:

• Burn the end of the rope: Take the other end of the rope and burn it with the help of a match stick. Please give it a little twist so that it forms a pointed end.
• Attach the rope to the starter housing: Pass this pointed end through the starter housing hole. Tie a knot at this end of the rope to prevent it from coming out of the starter housing.
• Wind the pull cord: Remove the screwdriver and let the pulley rewind the rope completely.

● Step 5: Reassemble the lawnmower parts:

We know that you must be a little exhausted after this hectic task. But don’t worry; the main work is done, and all you need to do now is reassemble the lawnmower parts.

– Step 5.1. Reinstall the engine shroud:

Reinstall the engine shroud by tightening the bolts that hold the shroud in place.

– Step 5.2. Place the gas tank back:

Push back the gas tank inwards, tighten the screws at the top and the one at the bottom of the gas tank with a screwdriver’s aid.

– Step 5.3. Attach the engine’s plastic cover:

The final step is to install the plastic cover back into its place by tightening its bolts.

Related Questions:

1. How long should a lawnmower cord be?

The length of the lawnmower cord depends upon the model of the lawnmower. The main thing regarding the pull cord’s size is that it should not be too thick, as a thick pull cord would not rewind around the pulley.

Commonly, 5, 5.5, or 6 size pull cords are used.

2. What is the function of a pull cord?

The pull cord is like a key, as it helps to start the lawnmower. The pull cord is wrapped around a pulley inside the lawnmower’s engine in the off-state. As you push the pull cord, it rotates the pulley and moves a piston. A spark is produced as a result, which starts the lawnmower.

3. How do you reduce the pull cord length?

Sometimes, a pull cord of the desired length is unavailable in the market. So it would be best to cut it according to the desired size.

For that, you need to place a mark on this rope according to the required length and cut it using scissors. Then, using a match stick, burn the end of the rope cut recently and twist it. This is done to prevent the rope from fraying.

4. Why is my pull cord stuck?

Many reasons may cause the pull cord to get stuck. A few of them are:

• Old grass or debris may be stuck up inside the starter pulley
• Broken recoil spring
• Damaged pull cord

– 1. Old grass or debris stuck up inside the pulley:

Sometimes, mud and grass build up inside the starter pulley. To remove this dirt and grass, you need to open the lawnmower’s starter housing by following the steps above and then remove the debris using a screwdriver.

– 2. Broken recoil spring:

This is a scarce scenario, but the recoil spring inside the starter housing may be broken in some cases. In this case, you need to check the starter housing to rule out the problem.

– 3. Damaged pull cord:

A lawnmower that has been put into use for a very long time mostly gets its pull cord injured. To fix this problem, you should read the above article.

Remarks:

A lawnmower’s pull cord is one of the essential parts of a lawnmower. It’s like a key to a car; without it, it’s impossible to start the lawnmower and trim your garden’s grass. One must reach the starter housing inside the lawnmower’s engine to repair the pull cord.

The above article is a step-by-step guide to repair pull cord replacement. You should also wear safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself from unnecessary injuries during the abovementioned procedure. Also, don’t forget to maintain other lawnmower parts properly to prolong their life.

To repair the pull cord, you will need to use a socket wrench to remove the two screws securing the engine cover. Once the cover is removed, you can access the engine shield and the fuel tank. You can then wedge a screwdriver to hold these parts in place while you work on the pull cord.

• Preparing to Replace the Old Pull Cord

Next, you will need to use a socket wrench with a socket to remove the old pull cord. Once the old cord is removed, you can thread the new pull cord through the hole in the starter housing. Make sure to tie a knot at the end of the cord to secure it in place.

Finally, you will need to reassemble the lawnmower. Use your socket wrench with a socket to reattach the engine shield and the fuel tank. Then, use a socket wrench to secure the engine cover back in place.

Repairing the repair pull cord is not difficult but requires some patience and attention to detail. Whether performing a series repair pull cord or needing to replace a broken cord, this guide should help you get your lawnmower back in working order. Happy mowing!