If the pull cord is housed in a bolted down housing try loosiening the housing (but not removed) andgive the housing a few taps with a rubber mallet I have done this to various pull starts and had more than a 50/50 success rate. The rewing spring is most probably sticking and sometimes a few jolts are enough to free it. You can still try this with a welded down housing but it's less successful in my experience. Also some WD40 on any moving parts prior to giving the extended pull cord some short, not too hard tug's can also work wonders sometimes.Good luck
Gaz
Gaz
March 2010