How to Troubleshoot a Weedeater That Will Not Start

Weed Eater is a lawn trimmer, mower, hedge trimmer and leaf blower brand owned by Poulan. Electrical or fuel problems rank among the most common reasons why a Weed Eater garden appliance doesn't start. Troubleshooting your Weed Eater corrects these problems and ensures ideal conditions for using the appliance. You should always troubleshoot your Weed Eater before calling a technician in case the problem is easily solved at home.

Brush

Follow the power cord to the electrical outlet; make sure all three prongs are fully inserted and the outlet is switched on, if possible. Disconnect any extension cords that haven't bee approved for use with your Weed Eater; they might not be rated high enough for the electrical demand.

Test the outlet with a lamp; check your circuit breakers or fuses if the bulb doesn't light. An electrical fault or power surge could have tripped the breaker or blown the fuse regulating the Weed Eater's circuit. Reset the breaker or replace the fuse and try the appliance again.

Ensure you are following correct starting procedure. Hold down the safety switch before you press the "Start" button on some Weed Eater models. The safety button or lever prevents kids starting the appliance. Check your instruction manual for exact starting instructions.

Empty the grass collection basket, if necessary, and check nothing is blocking the blades. Always unplug your Weed Eater before examining the blades or trimmer head. Brush away any sticks or compacted grass gathered around the blades and try the appliance again.

Top up the fuel tank if it is running low. The motor could be struggling to start despite a small amount of gasoline remaining in the tank. Empty out the gasoline in the tank if it is more than a few months old; water or dirt could be contaminating the fuel after a long period in storage.

Change the spark plug; the engine won't fire if the spark plug isn't working. The exact location of the spark plug varies by appliance but it is usually located on the side of the motor. Unscrew the spark plug and take it your local hardware store for reference. Screw the new plug into the slot, reconnect the rubber boot and try again.

Contact Weed Eater for a replacement fuel filter; the existing one might be clogged with dirt. The fuel filter is usually located inside the fuel tank or fuel line. A dirty fuel filter prevents the engine starting or idling correctly.

Ensure you are following correct starting procedure. Prime the engine and move the choke lever to the "FULL CHOKE" position, if starting from cold. Hold the throttle trigger and pull the starter cord. Start a flooded or warm engine by moving the choke to the "RUN" position before pulling the cord.

Empty the grass collection basket, if necessary, and check nothing is blocking the blades. Always unplug your Weed Eater before examining the blades or trimmer head. Brush away any sticks or compacted grass gathered around the blades and try the appliance again.