hi i had the same problem with an old briggs and stratton engine mower, the cord stayed out on trying to get it started and no amount of sweet talk would get it to go back in. great advice, which works, is to turn the mower on its side and manually turn the cutter blade which in turn winds the cord back in. i suppose if the engine is going, don't try this, but i assume that once the motor is going and the blade spinning, the cord should automatically be coiled back in.
sarah, April 2011
