Stihl Ergostart won't engage

[RealEstate]

OK thanks all, I'll let you know:001_smile:

[GardenKit]

We might be looking at the wrong area. have you checked that the 2 pawls mounted on the flywheel are functioning correctly? If they are stuck, or have misplaced/broken return springs they will cause the same symptoms.

 

The first set of pawls we looked at allow the rope pulley to turn the ergostart unit, the ergostart then turns the flywheel via these second lot of pawls.

[Megatron]

 

Yep. I'm thinking either the pawls or their return springs on the flywheel are damaged/not working properly. Or most likley the spring which stores/transfers the energy from the recoil to the flywheel is damaged.

[RealEstate]

We might be looking at the wrong area. have you checked that the 2 pawls mounted on the flywheel are functioning correctly? If they are stuck, or have misplaced/broken return springs they will cause the same symptoms.

 

The first set of pawls we looked at allow the rope pulley to turn the ergostart unit, the ergostart then turns the flywheel via these second lot of pawls.

I can't see anything wrong with the second set of pawls on the flywheel. Look fine, springs present and they engage fine when I offer up the dog by hand.

 

I'm sure it's the first pawls on the rope pulley. I've degreased the R-clip and the pillar, removed/cleaned the pawls, and squeezed up the R-clip to no avail. The pawls seem way too stiff in their holes - I can't imagine how it ever worked! Surely they should pivot freely? I wonder if the WD40 I sprayed in there, since removed, has caused the pawls to swell slightly and jam in their holes?

 

Think I'll have to admit defeat and make the 30m roundtrip to my dealer where I bought it - hope he plays ball as my receipt is 250miles away. I phoned him and he said the standard repair was to replace the whole pulley/ergostart mechanism. He did say that ergostart is on alot of kit and generally it doesn't give trouble - mine must be a Monday saw!

Edited December 21, 2011 by RealEstate

[GardenKit]

I can't see anything wrong with the second set of pawls on the flywheel. Look fine, springs present and they engage fine when I offer up the dog by hand.

 

I'm sure it's the first pawls on the rope pulley. I've degreased the R-clip and the pillar, removed/cleaned the pawls, and squeezed up the R-clip to no avail. The pawls seem way too stiff in their holes - I can't imagine how it ever worked! Surely they should pivot freely? I wonder if the WD40 I sprayed in there, since removed, has caused the pawls to swell slightly and jam in their holes?

 

Think I'll have to admit defeat and make the 30m roundtrip to my dealer where I bought it - hope he plays ball as my receipt is 250miles away. I phoned him and he said the standard repair was to replace the whole pulley/ergostart mechanism. He did say that ergostart is on alot of kit and generally it doesn't give trouble - mine must be a Monday saw!

If those pawls are tight in the pulley holes it might be your problem. i have not had this on stihl, but have seen exactly that on, dare I mention, Mcculloch strimmers. Had to sand down the pawls as a temp measure. its almost like the plastic had swelled. Try new pawls in the first place, or just replace the pulley and pawls.

[RealEstate]

If those pawls are tight in the pulley holes it might be your problem. i have not had this on stihl, but have seen exactly that on, dare I mention, Mcculloch strimmers. Had to sand down the pawls as a temp measure. its almost like the plastic had swelled. Try new pawls in the first place, or just replace the pulley and pawls.

OK thanks for the advice.

What puzzles me is how it ever worked. It started playing up about 4 months ago, with the first few pulls doing nothing then reluctantly deciding to engage, till last week - nothing.

 

BTW can one order Stihl parts online anywhere?

[RealEstate]

Took my saw to the dealer, who said the rope pulley pawls were sticking and replaced them. Also did a service so it was a worthwhile visit.

Thanks to all for your advice.

[prs3e8]

Thanks to all the useful info that I found posted here , I was able to quickly fix my ms250c ergostart(called easystart in USA). I found that the so called "R spring" was actually broken. The new one that I installed grips the shaft VERY tightly. For a saw with this problem and nothing obviously wrong, I would try replacing the "R spring". It doesn't cost much. Maybe it could lose some of its tension.

[Mogsareus]

I've just had the same problem. Apparently nylon swells when damp.

Dry the parts in a warm room this will free the pawls.

They still wouldn't engage despite tightening the R spring.

Added a spot of blue Loctite to the spring at the point it bears against the steel shaft and left to dry.

This tightened everything a bit too much, removed some of the Loctite and the saw now functions correctly.

 

[Mogsareus]

Update. The saw was dry stored but even so the problem has re occurred.

I decided to replace the parts of the pawl mechanism, the new pawls appear to be made of a harder plastic and are black.

Everything working fine again.