Trying to replace pull cord for kee tm22 push mower. new cord will not retract. replaced with new cord and now cord will not retract when pulled. spring came out while removing old cord but replaced in same manner.

remove the recoil section and replace the broken spring

Hi Barbara:
The pull start assembly is usually attached by 3 or 4 bolts.
Start by removing it. Depending on where the pull cord broke, you may be able to use it shortened a bit, but replacement is probably a good idea.
There is a spring inside the thing the cord winds around (spool)that retracts it after you've pulled on it. The tricky part is making sure that the spring is wound up enough after you've installed the replacement cord.
Look at the way the old cord is installed. If you can, grab it with some pointy pliers and pull it all the way out, winding up the spring tension at the same time. There should be a way to hold the spool (look for a hole you can slip the end of a nail into) so you can change the cord. Then Take the nail out and make sure the cord retracts all the way.
Next step is to re-install it on the mower.
Cheerfuls!

I think you need to replace the whole rewind unit as the dawgs must have engaged the starter cup if it was running !

Normally these small engines use a clock spring to retract the rope.
Remove the cover on the top and you should find the spring either broken or the tab where the spring end has broken off or jumped out of the mount.
You will need to pre-load the spring with enough tension to retract the rope.
Remove the pull handle from the rope, load the spring and then wrap the rope around the pully holding the pully and spring in the loaded position. place the end of the rope through the hole and tie up the handle. The rope should pull and retract without being installed on the engine.
Best explained here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmo6oYOJJ4U

Ok, the spring will more than likely unravel when you remove the pull cord cover/assembly. There is notch in the spool for winding the rope around it. So make sure the spring is wound enough to fit it in the housing. Then take the rope, already knotted and in the spool. Turn the spool in the direction that tightens the spring.Push down on spool and allow spring to retract the rope. (Don't forget to tie the knot in the rope handle before placing on mower). Then lightly clamp in vise or visegrip, or channel lock pliers. I like to use visegrips on one side, and channel locks on the other. Place over the square flywheel nut,release channelock pliers, hold with fingers tightly so the spring does not unravel. Then release visegrips and hold with other free hand, Place over flywheel nut and slide down. Re-attach with screw previously removed. Your done. Don't forget to tie the knot in the rope handle before placing on mower.

Douglas you are over tightening the holding bolts. Loosen them slightly.

Go buy part at Home Depot or wherever. Remove top cover. Remove pull cord housing. Install new pull cord housing. Replace cover.

Pull cords are all pretty similar so if you've seen one then etc.....
Does the cord retract?
If it's a broken spring then the pull cord would not retract.
If it is retracting then it's probably dirt, grass clipping interfering with the spring loaded locking lever.
Either way the only way to be sure is to remove the top cover and inspect it visually and clean it out and spray some lubrication on it.
You should be able to do this without taking apart the actual cord and retracting coil spring. It should come off as a unit.

Once you have inspected it if you you have any other questions please let me know.
Hope this helps.

I don't know exactly what you have there, but starters in general work pretty much the same. What you have to do with any starter when you replace the rope is to first wind up the spring with the pulley. Turn the pulley in the direction it would be turning if you were pulling the rope. When it's wound tight, back off to align the rope hole in the cover and the pulley. Stick the rope from the outside through the cover and pulley and tie a knot. Then let the spring tension pull the rope into the starter. Hope that helps. Dwain

The pull cord assembly either has something jammed in there or it's busted. Take the 3 or 4 bolts out that hold in on to the top, and inspect it for damage. If there's nothing in there or it's not damaged it might have just slipped off the spring. Rewind your cord and reinstall it.