Northstar pressure washer randomly gives pressure

CHECK FUEL PUMP

thats exaclty what a unloader valve does it unloads the pump when the trigger on wand is not depressed , it should however reseat and close off when trigger is pressed giving full presure to wand tip

Could be low water pressure I have found.
Also, I purchased a can of "stuff" at Lowes today which allows you to circulate a liquid substance which lubricates the pressure pump....the pump could be frozen up...
I have a rotating nozzle which I bought...and it had frozen up...this stuff works

Sounds like the trigger is not closing, best to strip it down and check operation. Probably siezed in the open position.

the burner should fire (kick in) when the trigger is pulled,and switch off when you release the trigger.

The injector might be worn out or have something inside of the valve causing it not to ****. If you are using a new high pressure hose or a longer hose this may also have an effect over the injector not working.

You will find your information by looking for model number and code of engine. Look on the fan cover, valve cover engine block or tag directly on the engine itself. Example would be Honda model gx340 from starter of engine. Then check google or mfg. web site for manual showing governor linkage. Norhstar uses several brands of engines. Good luck

Trying to start a pressure washer with water supply on and gun trigger off will be a difficult task. It could be comparred to trying to start a lawn mower with the mower in tall grass. Place the mower on the drive or walkway and pulling the rope to start the engine is much easier. It is easy to start your pressure washer with no water in the system however there is a remote possibility that you could overheat the seals if you take too long to turn on the water. It is a little more difficult to start the washer with water supply on and someone holding the trigger to wand open. This will prevents pressure from building and making engine hard to start. You will not damage your washer if you start it with water supply off if you flood the pump and pressure hose with water first . Here is the procedure I use if i am working alone. I trun on the water to pump and open trigger to gun to allow water to flow into pump and pressure hose. Turn off water (leaving the water supply on will make it a little harder to pull starter). Start engine while holding trigger to gun open. When engine starts release gun causing unloader to activate circulating water in pump. Now turn on water and you are ready to work. If your system is under warranty however, I would advise to use the starting procedure outlined by mfg (hold open trigger to gun however). To get the longest life from unit try using it at say 75% of capacity or lower if your can and use max pressure on the tuffest jobs. Leaving your washer at full pressure for all jobs is like driving your car at 100 mph everywhere your go. Good luck.

looks like you need a new diaphpragm in the pump unit

Disassemble and clean the carb. If it ran briefly with the starer fluid then gasoline is not coming through the carb.